Top 10 things you must do in Newfoundland

Does it ever get warm? Newfoundland is the newest of Canada’s 10 provinces, having joined the confederation only in 1949; its name was officially changed to Newfoundland & Labrador in 2001.

Now you are thinking of driving to Newfoundland for a quiet vacation. But wait, Newfoundland is an island? Driving is still a possibility, but it requires taking a ferry from Nova Scotia to either Port aux Basques or Argentina.

Now that you’re in Newfoundland; where should you start adventuring that’s easy on your wallet? Thankfully you did your homework and found yourself on my blog to pin down the best and cheapest activities to do in Newfoundland.

#10 The Arches Provincial Park

Each provincial park has their own special twist of fun and excitement, some providing an array of activities to do while others will work your body on a hike or trail. The Arches Provincial Park is one of its best, where you can see sandstone carved into a work of art. Enjoy the breeze of the Atlantic Ocean as you watch the waves.

Address: Portland Creek, NL

 

#9 Lookout Hills Trail, Gros Morne

Hike up this trail to see panoramic vistas in the national park. You’ll climb through forest and then jump from the trees onto a highland plateau. From the platform atop Partridgeberry Hill you will enjoy fantastic views of Bonne Bay.

Address: 1P0, NL-431, Bonne Bay, NL

Hike Length: 5-km loop

Amount of Time to do: 2.5 hours

#8 Dare Devil Trail – St-Antony

Don’t let the name scare you, this is one is not very dangerous. This well-maintained trail is located at Fishing Point Park and will take the trek over 400 steps on Dare Devil Trail to reach the top of Fishing Point Head where you can see insane views of the ocean. It’s worth the climb!

Address: West St, St. Anthony, NL

Hike Length: 4-km Out & Back

Amount of Time to do: 1.5 hours

#7 Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse

Lobster Cove Head features trails that lead you to coastal environments and tuckamore forests. It is among the top places in the park to fly a kite, spot whales and take in the brilliant colours of the sunset. You can also go inside the century old lighthouse that once served as a beacon to safely guide fishermen and sailing vessels into Bonne Bay.

Address: Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, Main St N, Rocky Harbour, NL

Hike Length: 2.1-km loop

Amount of Time to do: 1 hour

#6 L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site

Who knew the Canadian East Coast had Vikings? Yes. L’Anse aux Meadows is an archaeological site on the northernmost tip of the Great Northern Peninsula. See how the Vikings lived in Canda at the magical L’Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site. Almost 1000 years ago, Canada was visited by Vikings coming from Greenland.

Address: Division No. 9, Subd. D, NL

 

#5 The Tablelands Trail, Gros Morne

Summit of Tablelands trail

In Newfoundland you’ll find 29,000 kilometres of pristine coastline, dotted with beaches, sea stacks, and close to 300 hiking trails. I’m told that the majority of the hiking is well worth it. The Tablelands geology marks a time when the continents of Africa and North America collided, pushing rocks that were originally beneath the ocean to their present position. It gives a strange out-worldly feeling, like you’ve landed on Mars or something. 

Address: Bonne Bay Rd, Bonne Bay, NL

Hike Length: 4.2-km Out & Back

Amount of Time to do: 1.5 hours

#4 Green Garden Trail

The most difficult trail I’ve come across was the Green Garden’s trail. It begins on the open barrens of the Tablelands and descends through boreal forest to a sea coast. The trail is a popping 12.1 km hike that bring you back in a loop to where you first started off. But not before visiting the astonishing shores that will make you feel alive.

Hike Length: 15-km loop

Amount of Time to do: 4 hours

#3 Iceberg Exploring

Exploring and discovering icebergs take a lot of precision. You need to be there at the right time, during the right weather and at the right place. Icebergs are large chunks of ice that break off from glaciers. This process is called calvin. Icebergs float in the ocean, but are made of frozen freshwater, not saltwater. Most icebergs in Northern Canada break off from glaciers in Greenland.

Icebergs are constantly moving, that’s why you need to plan-out where you think the iceberg will land. The easiest time to see icebergs are during the months of May and early June, when they still haven’t melted but are small enough to unlock from glaciers and sea ice. 

 

#2 Whale Watching

Newfoundland is one of the most amazing whale watching places on Earth. Another 21 species of whales and dolphins can be seen including the minke, sperm, pothead, blue, and orca. There are many ways to experience it, whether it’s from the deck of a tour boat, the side of your sea kayak, or a seaside trail.

I personally used the Northland Discovery Boat Tours and the Bonne Bay Boat Tours and they’ve both been fantastic. From what I hear, they all give you about the same experience.

In order to book a boat tour, you can visit their website here: https://www.discovernorthland.com/

 

#1 Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne

 

The Gros Morne National Park is the center of all rich scenery, wildlife, and recreational activities. It took nature 485,000,000 years to mold Gros Morne National Park into the geological and visual wonder we know today. The second largest National Park in eastern Canada, Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Gros Morne Mountains provide a rare example of the process of continental drift, and with a series of melting ice creates cascading waterfalls. The best way to see them up close is to hop on the BonTours Boat and explore the Western Brook Pond. A little heads up, the boats can only be reached by a 45 minute walk (3 km) from the parking lot to the docks.

Address: Western Brook Pond, Division No. 9, Subd. A, NL

Hike Length: 6-km Out & Back

Amount of Time to do: 2 hours

To book a boat ride, go to:

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To learn more about the best places to visit in Canada, click here.