Newfoundland Adventure: Westbound

Welcome to St John’s! Meet your group at a welcome meeting at 10 am this morning, then set out straight away on a leader-led tour of the city. Drive up Signal Hill for sweeping views of St. John’s Harbour, stopping at St John’s famous colourful houses on ‘Jellybean Row’ along the way. You’ll have free time to find some lunch, then take in the views at Cape Spear Lighthouse and maybe even make it to Canada's easternmost point. Later, join your group for a welcome dinner. Sample Jigg’s dinner pie (a classic Newfoundland dish), then pop over to a local pub for a traditional ‘screech-in’ ceremony that involves a shot of screech (rum) and kissing a cod. It’s more fun than you might think!

After breakfast, head to the town of Trinity. This small, working coastal community is considered one of Newfoundland’s best-preserved historic towns, and has retained much of its 18th-century character. There, you’ll join a local guide for a walking tour to learn about Trinity’s history and its Beothuk, French, Irish and English influences, and admire its colourful saltbox houses and winding lanes that hug the protected harbour. After, you might like to hike up Gun Hill for a bird’s-eye view of the town, or perhaps join your travel buddies for dinner at a local restaurant.

Today it’s time to spot puffins at Elliston’s renowned viewing site. This is one of the closest land views of puffins in North America! See if you can also spot the Puffin King, a rock formation that looks like a puffin sitting on a throne. After you’ve seen the puffins, drive a short way north to visit the historic Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, a favourite subject of photographers in Newfoundland. Climb the stairs to the top of the tower and see the seal oil-fuelled light that was used in the 1800s.

This morning, head to the town of Gander. Here, you’ll meet with a local to learn about the role the unassuming town played in one of North America’s most significant events. Due to the closure of North American airspace on 9/11, around 6600 people were diverted to Gander – increasing the town’s population by 70% in a matter of hours. You’ll hear about what went into hosting those numbers, as well as the lasting impact it's had on the town. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Twillingate. There, you’ll take an afternoon boat ride where you can scan the sea for whales and seabirds. In the spring, you might get to see icebergs floating down the stretch of water known as Iceberg Alley. After, head back to your hotel and take it easy or explore Twillingate, known as 'The Iceberg Capital of the World.’

Start the day with a visit to the Beothuk Interpretation Centre, which tells the history of the Indigenous Beothuk people who used to live on Newfoundland. You might like to leave an offering at the nearby Spirit Garden, to help keep the memory of this lost culture alive. Then, continue the drive, stopping to stretch your legs at Norris Point and Green Point along the way. Arrive in Rocky Harbour in the afternoon. Settle in, then maybe join your group for dinner this evening.

Start the day in Gros Morne National Park with a stroll along the Western Brook Pond Trail and take in the view before boarding a boat for a scenic sail. Don't forget your camera. This glacier-carved, landlocked fjord is home to dramatic waterfalls that cascade from ponds atop the plateau, towering billion-year-old cliffs and abundant wildlife. Then, drive south to walk around the historic Lobster Cove Lighthouse and enjoy the view of the rolling waves and rocky beaches far below.

Make your final visit to Gros Morne National Park this morning, where you’ll get to do something pretty extraordinary – walk on the earth’s mantle at the Tablelands. The orange landscape sits in stark contrast to the surrounding greens and blues – there are plenty of unique plants in the area, too like carnivorous sundews and the purple pitcher plant. After, continue to Deer Lake, where you might like to join your group for dinner to celebrate your adventures.