Journey Through Time: Newfoundland’s Historic Coastlines & Viking Heritage

Arrive in Canada. Make your way to the airport in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland, to collect your rental car.

St. John’s is one of North America’s oldest cities. With its colourful houses, expansive green spaces and a vibrant harbour this city offers something for everyone. Quaint alleys lead to Signal Hill, home to Cabot Tower, which commemorates John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland. This was also where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message.

The city is also home to the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, The Rooms museum, and the historic Newman Wine Vaults. There is also Quidi Vidi, a quaint fishing village with a wharf, an 18th-century battery, and a regatta museum. For nightlife, head to George Street with its live music, pubs, and classic Newfoundland food.

Group Historical Tour of St John’s and Cape Spear

Explore the historic landmarks of Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city. A shared vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and take you to key attractions. As you drive, your guide will share stories about the area’s history and culture.

Visit Signal Hill National Historic Site to see Cabot Tower and take in stunning views of the city and harbour. After, stop at Cape Spear, considered to be the easternmost point in North America. Walk to the cliffside point where the WWII gun battery is situated and watch for whales and seabirds in the water. There is also the 19th-century lighthouse.

Later, tour Quidi Vidi village, with its colourful houses on Jelly Bean Row, the Government House and the Roman Catholic Basilica. End the day in the downtown area and check out its many shops and restaurants.

From St. John’s drive your rental car to Trinity. This is a three-and-a-half hour drive.

Trinity,  a seaside town in Newfoundland’s Trinity Bay, is rich in history and natural beauty. Settled by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it features well-preserved historic buildings, many recognised as Registered Heritage Structures. Attractions like the Cooperage, Dock Marina, English Harbour Arts Centre, and Mercantile Building highlight its past. Fans of the film, ‘The Shipping News’, can visit scenic filming locations. There are plenty of outdoor activities available here including hiking, birding and whale watching. You could also relax on the lovely beaches. Don’t miss sampling the fresh seafood and local wines while in town.

Explore Trinity on Your Own

Drive in your rental car from Trinity to Twillingate. The travel time is four hours.

Twillingate is a historic fishing town in Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. The town is known for its interesting history, and the Twillingate Museum, located in the old Rectory, showcases the lives of early settlers. Visitors can also explore the Fishing & Heritage Centre and the Isles Wooden Boat Builders Museum. The colourful houses, winding streets, and coastal hiking trails, like Spencer’s Park Trail, make Twillingate a delight to explore. While Long Point Lighthouse provides breathtaking views of icebergs, boat tours allow you to spot whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, and seasonal icebergs.

Group Boat Tour of Iceberg Alley

This exciting boat ride allows you to see icebergs up close, during the season. At the scheduled time, head to the Twillingate pier. Board the boat and find a good spot. Set sail through Iceberg Alley, which extends along the coast of Labrador up to the southeast coast of Newfoundland. You will see icebergs from Greenland’s glaciers drifting down. As the captain navigates around the icebergs, watch for humpback whales and seabirds. Your guide will share facts about the area’s history and culture along the way. After a couple of hours on the water, return to shore with unforgettable memories.

From Twillingate drive yourself in your rental car to Gros Morne National Park. The travel time is about five hours.

Gros Morne National Park is located on Newfoundland’s west coast. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been shaped by colliding continents and glaciers and showcases ancient forests, pristine beaches and dramatic cliffs. The park has around 20 marked day trails, covering both coastal and interior areas. From the top of Gros Morne mountain, the second-highest peak in Newfoundland, take in stunning views of the glacial landscape. The park contains Western Brook Pond with the purest natural water in the world, and Pissing Mare Falls, the highest waterfall in eastern North America. At Tablelands you can see the earth’s mantle that has been pushed to the surface. The park is home to plenty of wildlife, marine life and birds.

Group Finer Things Food Tour

Go on a food tour of Gros Morne National Park. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Rocky Harbour or Norris Point and take you to three top local restaurants. Savour fresh seafood, smell garden fresh herbs, and taste handpicked berries while dining in a private room at each of the eateries. You will also meet the chefs and owners, and gain insight into their cooking and food. Enjoy VIP access to the evening’s entertainment before returning to your hotel.

Group Boat Tour of Bonne Bay

Explore the majestic wilderness of Gros Morne’s West Brook Pond aboard the M.V. Emm-Cat. Hop into the vessel and glide through dramatic fjords, and past soaring cliffs and tumbling waterfalls. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the park’s rich geology and ecology. Keep an eye out for moose, black bears, and harbour seals on the scenic shore. You may even spot eagles flying overhead and the occasional whale or dolphin in the waters. Enjoy discovering Canada’s untamed natural beauty before heading back to the dock.

Drive three hours in your rental car from Gros Morne National Park to reach St Barbe Ferry Terminal. Board the ferry to Blanc-Sablon Ferry Terminal. This is a two-hour journey. Once you reach, drive yourself to L’Anse au Claire. This is a 25-minute drive.

L’Anse au Claire, a French settlement in the 1700s, forms the gateway to Labrador in Newfoundland. It serves as a junction town for travelers headed to Labrador from Québec. With its French heritage, it makes for a great stopover before taking the ferry across the Labrador Coast. While here, tour the restored 19th-century church, which today houses the Labrador Visitor Centre. Take in the elegant architecture while walking through town. You could also journey down the Labrador Coastal Drive and spot whales and icebergs in the water, during the season.

Drive yourself from L’Anse au Claire to Mary’s Harbour in your rental car. This is a two-hour journey.

Battle Harbour is a restored 18th-century fishing village on a small island off the coast of Labrador, Canada. It was once the centre of the region’s fishing industry. Now a living museum, it offers a glimpse into life over 200 years ago. Designated a National Historic Site in 1996, the village still features original wooden and shingle-clad buildings that includes a salt store, cooperage and blacksmith’s shop.

Explore interactive exhibits and join guided tours to learn more about the region’s past. The town and island also offer hiking, whale watching, photography, and fishing opportunities. You could also just simply enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and views of the Atlantic.

Group Tour of Battle Harbour (3D/2N): Day 1 – Arrival & Walking Tour

Begin your three-day adventure with a scenic boat ride to Battle Harbour, a historic summer fishing station off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Arrive at the Visitor Centre in Mary’s Harbour in time for the mid-morning ferry. Enjoy views of Labrador’s rugged southern coastline as you sail to Battle Harbour.

On arrival, get your first glimpse of the wharf before having lunch in the dining hall. Afterwards, join a guided walking tour of the harbour, a National Historic Site and a living museum reflecting life in the 18th to 20th centuries. Discover the history and architecture of the restored buildings, meet the residents, and hear island stories. Later, explore the area on your own or hike one of the nearby trails.

Group Tour of Battle Harbour (3D/2N): Day 2 – Explore Battle Harbour on your own

On your second day in Battle Harbour, explore the island at your own pace. Stroll past centuries-old buildings, a reflection of the island’s rich maritime past. Visit St. James the Apostle Church and hear its 170-year-old pump organ, or connect with the child in you and borrow a kite and try to fly it on the beach.

You could also follow the 1.5-mile trail that takes you to scenic viewpoints on the island. Keep an eye out for Arctic foxes and seabirds. Depending on the season, you may spot whales offshore. Later, go fishing at the historic wharf or relax with a picnic overlooking the Atlantic. In the evening, savour a meal of traditional Labrador fare with a gourmet twist, and catch a beautiful sunset.

Group Tour of Battle Harbour (3D/2N): Day 3 – Departure

After two days of exploring Battle Harbour, begin your return journey to Mary’s Harbour by boat. Have breakfast in the dining hall and then make your way to the departure point. The ferry leaves Battle Harbour at 9 in the morning.

Once aboard, sit back and take in the coastal views as you cruise back to the mainland. If you’re catching a connecting ferry from the Blanc Sablon Terminal later that day, please note that the drive from Mary’s Harbour to Blanc Sablon is approximately 106 miles, and you’ll need to arrive at least an hour before departure.

Drive your rental car a couple of hours from Mary’s Harbour to reach Blanc-Sablon Ferry Terminal. Board your ferry to St. Barbe Ferry Terminal. This is a two-hour journey. Once you reach, drive an-hour-and-a-half to reach Saint Anthony.

Saint Anthony is located on the freezing northern fringes of Newfoundland. It sits at the end of the Viking Trail, and serves as an excellent base for travelers who plan to explore northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador. There are plenty of outdoor activities available here, from scenic walking trails to wildlife watching tours on snowmobiles and snowshoes. Boat tours allow you to go whale watching and spot icebergs. There’s also angling and fishing to be enjoyed along the waterfront. Saint Anthony is a seafood haven offering specialties such as pan-fried cod and grilled Atlantic salmon, throughout the year.

Visit L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (Tickets only)

Explore the archaeological remains of the oldest known European settlement in the New World, L’Anse aux Meadows. Your visit to the UNESCO-listed site begins at the Visitor Center, which is filled with artifacts and informative displays about this 11th-century Viking settlement. Watch a short film detailing the colony’s history. Then walk on the boardwalk that winds through a grove of wind-stunted evergreen trees and stop at the striking sculpture, The Meeting of Two Worlds. Cross Black Duck Brook to arrive at the area where Viking homes, workshops and boat-repair sheds once stood. Pass by mounds of grass-covered soil with plaques indicating which original structure existed on the spot. Finally, head to the reconstructed replica of a Norse longhouse. See traditional features of Norse design including sod bricks, timber door frames and rebuilt wooden interiors. Reenactors help you to imagine the lives led by the Nordic settlers.

Drive 4.5 hrs in your rental car from Saint Anthony to Gros Morne National Park.

Gros Morne National Park is located on Newfoundland’s west coast. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been shaped by colliding continents and glaciers and showcases ancient forests, pristine beaches and dramatic cliffs. The park has around 20 marked day trails, covering both coastal and interior areas. From the top of Gros Morne mountain, the second-highest peak in Newfoundland, take in stunning views of the glacial landscape. The park contains Western Brook Pond with the purest natural water in the world, and Pissing Mare Falls, the highest waterfall in eastern North America. At Tablelands you can see the earth’s mantle that has been pushed to the surface. The park is home to plenty of wildlife, marine life and birds.

Drive yourself from Gros Morne National Park to Clarenville in your rental car. This is a six-hour journey.

Clarenville sits in the pretty Shoal Harbour River Valley, on the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its location allows it to get plenty of sunshine and makes it a natural gateway to explore the historical Discovery Trail, which extends down the Bonavista Peninsula to Trinity and Bonavista. There are three golf courses in the area and plenty of hiking trails. Clarenville also boasts of the only ski resort east of Corner Brook.

Explore Clarenville on Your Own

Discover the beautiful little town of Clarenville. Start the day with a visit to the Farm and Market. Popular with the locals, you will find stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted items here. Sip on a cup of hot coffee as you explore the market. See the six raised beds growing specialty crops, and the Elliston-style root cellar. Next, head to the Rotary Marina and take a stroll along the waterfront. Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants and cafes  before you continue to Elizabeth Swan Park with its many walking trails. For some culture and history, visit the Clarenville Heritage Museum and stop by the Wiseman’s Mill and the War Memorial.

Drive yourself from Clarenville to St. John’s in your rental car. The journey is around two-and-a-half hours long.

St. John’s is one of North America’s oldest cities. With its colourful houses, expansive green spaces and a vibrant harbour this city offers something for everyone. Quaint alleys lead to Signal Hill, home to Cabot Tower, which commemorates John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland. This was also where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message.

The city is also home to the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, The Rooms museum, and the historic Newman Wine Vaults. There is also Quidi Vidi, a quaint fishing village with a wharf, an 18th-century battery, and a regatta museum. For nightlife, head to George Street with its live music, pubs, and classic Newfoundland food.

On your final day, make your own way to the St. John´s airport to drop off your rental car and catch your flight back home.