Eastern Newfoundland Tourist Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, Trans-Canada highway, secondary roads, national parks, provincial parks, campgrounds, provincial/national historic sites, airports, local ferries, summer ferries, ski areas, golf courses, and provincial visitor information centres in Eastern Newfoundland.

Previous version of the map (2016)

Eastern Newfoundland Attractions

Overview

Eastern Newfoundland centers on the Bonavista Peninsula and adjacent coastal areas, offering historical sites, natural attractions, and cultural experiences. The region played a significant role in early European exploration and settlement of North America, with communities preserving heritage buildings and maritime traditions. Tourism focuses on history, coastal scenery, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation.

Historical Significance and Heritage Sites

Trinity

Trinity ranks among Newfoundland's oldest and best-preserved historic communities, with European settlement dating to at least the early 1500s. The community functioned as a major fishing and merchant center during the 18th and 19th centuries. Trinity maintains approximately 30 heritage buildings from this period, many restored to period appearance and several operating as museums or interpretive sites.

The Trinity Historical Society manages several properties including the Hiscock House Provincial Historic Site, representing merchant life in the early 1900s. The Green Family Forge demonstrates blacksmithing techniques and displays tools and equipment from the period. Trinity Museum presents artifacts and exhibits documenting the community's social and economic history. The Lester-Garland Premises, operated by the Provincial Historic Sites program, interprets 18th-century merchant operations.

Trinity serves as a filming location for television and film productions requiring historical settings. The well-preserved streetscapes and architecture provide authentic period environments. Guided heritage walks conducted during summer months explain the architecture and history of significant structures.

Bonavista

Bonavista has connections to early European exploration, with tradition holding that John Cabot made landfall near Cape Bonavista during his 1497 voyage. While historical evidence for the specific landfall location remains debated, a statue of Cabot overlooks the cape. The community developed as a fishing center and maintains several historic sites relating to the fishery and maritime heritage.

The Ryan Premises National Historic Site preserves a merchant establishment that operated in the salt fish trade during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The complex includes restored buildings housing exhibits on the fishing industry, merchant operations, processing techniques, and social history. The site interprets the merchant-fisher relationship that characterized the Newfoundland economy for centuries.

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, constructed in 1843, operates as a provincial historic site. The lighthouse building contains restored keeper's quarters furnished in period style representing the 1870s. Interpretive displays explain lighthouse operation and the role of lighthouses in maritime navigation. The cape area provides views of coastal scenery and opportunities for observing seabirds and marine wildlife.

The Mockbeggar Plantation Provincial Historic Site reconstructs a small fishing premises typical of the early 20th century. The site demonstrates fishing methods, fish processing, and daily life in a fishing household. Costumed interpreters present demonstrations during summer months.

Port Union

Port Union represents a unique planned community established by the Fishermen's Protective Union (FPU), a fishermen's cooperative and political movement founded by Sir William Coaker in 1908. The FPU established Port Union in 1917 as a model industrial community with cooperative stores, fish processing facilities, and services controlled by the union.

The community preserves several structures associated with the FPU, including the headquarters building, union hall, and industrial facilities. Port Union Museum, located in the former FPU headquarters building, displays artifacts and presents the history of the cooperative movement. The Port Union Heritage Committee maintains heritage sites and offers interpretive programs.

Natural Attractions and Wildlife

Whale Watching

The waters off eastern Newfoundland support whale populations during summer feeding season. Humpback whales are most frequently observed from June through September, feeding on capelin and other small fish that spawn near shore. Minke whales and fin whales also occur in the area. Tour operators in Trinity and Bonavista offer boat-based whale watching excursions, often combined with coastal touring and iceberg viewing when ice is present.

Iceberg Viewing

Icebergs drift along the eastern Newfoundland coast during spring and early summer, typically from April through June. The number and proximity of icebergs vary annually depending on ice production in Greenland and ocean currents. Cape Bonavista and other coastal viewpoints provide land-based observation opportunities. Tour boats offer closer viewing while maintaining safe distances from the ice.

Seabird Observation

Elliston, located on the eastern shore of the Bonavista Peninsula, features one of the most accessible Atlantic puffin viewing sites in Newfoundland. Puffins nest in burrows on coastal slopes near the community, with viewing areas located within walking distance of the town. Approximately 3,000 pairs of puffins nest at the site, with birds present from May through August during breeding season.

Other seabird species visible along the coast include common murres, black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills, and various gull species. Cape Bonavista and other coastal headlands provide observation points during the nesting season. Boat tours offer opportunities to observe seabirds at sea and near nesting cliffs.

Outdoor Recreation

Hiking

The Skerwink Trail near Trinity ranks as one of Newfoundland's most scenic coastal hiking routes. The 5.5-kilometer loop follows coastal headlands and passes sea stacks, natural arches, and dramatic cliff scenery. The trail requires approximately 2-3 hours to complete and includes elevation changes and uneven terrain. Views extend across Trinity Bay and along the coastline.

The Dungeon Provincial Park near Bonavista features a collapsed sea cave creating a circular opening where ocean waters surge. A short trail from the parking area leads to viewing platforms. Additional hiking opportunities exist at community trails and coastal access points throughout the region, though many are informal paths rather than maintained trails.

Water-Based Activities

Sea kayaking opportunities exist in Trinity Bay and other protected waters, with outfitters offering guided tours. Kayaking provides access to coastal features, sea caves, and wildlife viewing at water level. Ocean Kayaking experiences require appropriate skill levels and attention to weather and sea conditions.

Cultural Experiences

Trinity Pageant

The Rising Tide Theatre company produces the Trinity Pageant, an outdoor historical theatre production presented during summer months. The performance guides audiences through the community while presenting historical vignettes and musical performances. The company also produces the Newfoundland Trinity Pageant and an evening performance at the Parish Hall. Productions typically run from late June through September.

Traditional Music and Culture

Restaurants and venues in Trinity and other communities feature traditional Newfoundland music during summer months. Kitchen parties and informal music sessions provide opportunities to experience traditional songs and instrumental music. Some accommodations and restaurants host scheduled musical performances and storytelling evenings.

Accommodations and Services

Lodging

Trinity offers a concentration of bed and breakfast establishments, inns, and vacation rentals, many located in heritage buildings. Properties range from restored 19th-century homes to modern construction. Bonavista provides hotels, bed and breakfasts, and rental properties. Port Rexton has developed as a tourism destination with several inn properties and the Port Rexton Brewing Company. Advance booking is recommended for July and August, when occupancy rates are highest.

Dining

Restaurants in Trinity and Bonavista feature seafood including cod, salmon, crab, and lobster, along with traditional Newfoundland dishes. The Twine Loft in Trinity operates in a restored fishing premises building. Port Rexton Brewing Company operates a restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients. Several properties offer fine dining experiences emphasizing regional cuisine. Smaller communities have limited or no restaurant facilities, requiring meal planning for day tours.

Access and Transportation

Eastern Newfoundland is accessible via Route 230 from the Trans-Canada Highway. The junction is located approximately 100 kilometers west of St. John's and 80 kilometers east of Gander. Personal or rental vehicles are necessary to touring the region, as no public transportation serves the area. St. John's International Airport, approximately 200 kilometers from Trinity, provides the nearest air access. Gander International Airport is approximately 130 kilometers from Trinity.

Seasonal Considerations

Peak tourism season extends from June through September. June offers longer daylight hours and the tail end of iceberg season but may experience cooler temperatures. July and August provide the warmest weather and all services operating, but also bring the most visitors. September offers reduced crowds and pleasant weather but shorter days and some services beginning to reduce hours.

Iceberg viewing is optimal from late April through mid-June. Whale watching is best from late June through August. Seabird colonies are most active from May through August during nesting season. Many tourist attractions, tours, and accommodations close or operate limited hours from October through May. Winter visits are possible but require preparation for cold conditions and limited services, with some roads potentially affected by winter weather.

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