Newfoundland Coastal Self-Drive Adventure

At Landsby, we are specialists in creating unique experiences in Canada, due to a personal and direct relationship with our local partners. These packages provide a better value than booking a string of hotels separately on your own and allow for a more independent experience while providing peace of mind.

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

• “Top Coastal Destination in the World”
• Largest concentration of Humpback whales in the world
• Seabird Capital of North America
• Historic port city of St. John’s
• The Rooms Cultural Centre
• Signal Hill National Historic Site
• Johnson Geo Centre – The World’s
• Geological Showcase
• Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site
• Archaeology at Colony of Avalon, Ferryland
• Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
• Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve
• Church of the Most Holy Trinity
• Skerwink Trail
• Bonavista – Historic Site of Cabot Landing
• Elliston’s Puffin Viewing

DAY 1: ST. JOHN’S ARRIVAL

Welcome to St. John’s, the easternmost city in North America. It’s the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, a lively port with great food, and music galore. Downtown is delightfully picturesque with intriguing architecture. You’ll find boutiques, coffee bars, pubs and restaurants offering local and international fare. After a meal, follow your ears to some of the many music venues. There’ll be something to suit your taste.

DAY 2: ST. JOHN’S

Get ready for epic vistas and chat with the friendly folk. Signal Hill National Historic Site provides expansive views of the city and coast, and it is topped by Cabot Tower, where Marconi received the first wireless message. You’ll learn of the earth’s geological showcase at The Johnson Geo Centre, and The Fluvarium explores the secret life of a river, the watershed and its ecosystems. This is a city of churches, too, and both the Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedrals are named for St. John the Baptist.

DAY 3: ST. JOHN’S > CAPE SPEAR LIGHTHOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE > ST. JOHN’S

Be immersed in the heritage garden and learn of varied plant species that grow in The Botanical Garden at Memorial University offering insight into the flora and fauna of the entire province. Next, it’s off to The Rooms, named for traditional fishing premises, and here gathered together as the museum, art gallery and archives. The very rich history and lively cultures of thousands of years are explored in exhibits and documents. On everyone’s bucket list is standing on the most easterly point in North America, at Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site. The lighthouse here dates from the 1840s, and the vista is as far as the eye can see.

DAY 4: ST. JOHN’S > THE AVALON PENINSULA > IRISH LOOP > ST. JOHN’S

Today we visit Ferryland, the site of an early 17th-century Colony of Avalon now being excavated by archaeologists. Then we hop on a tour boat to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and go to meet whales and seabirds. Your entire trip is on the Avalon Peninsula - awarded “Top Coastal Destination In The World” by National Geographic.

DAY 5: ST. JOHN’S > CAPE ST. MARY’S ECOLOGICAL RESERVE > TRINITY > CLARENVILLE

Drive southwest of St. John’s to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve also known as “The Cape”. One of Newfoundland and Labrador’s major seabird colonies. It is one of the best and most accessible places in the world to see nesting seabirds (gannets). Continue to Trinity, a picturesque town rich in history, friendly people and steadfast authenticity. The town offers beautifully restored fishing rooms and saltbox houses, historic buildings, and top-rated dining experiences. Nearby you’ll get a chance to hike along the coast on one of the province's most popular trails, the Skerwink Trail – sea stacks, rocky beach overlooking the Trinity lighthouse. Or take a boat tour and see some of the breathtaking coastlines from a different perspective as you watch whales, birds, and icebergs.

DAY 6: CLARENVILLE > CAPE BONAVISTA

Start your morning by visiting the oldest standing wooden church, Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Trinity, Newfoundland built-in 1833 with the tower added in 1880. From here, travel to Cape Bonavista where the Italian Explorer Giovanni Caboto or John Cabot as he is locally known first discovered North America in 1497. His first words were “O Buono vista!” When translated in English, this phrase means “Oh happy sight!”, which then became the town of Bonavista, the historic site of Cabot’s landing.

DAY 7: BONAVISTA PENINSULA

Make sure to visit Elliston’s visitor center and Elliston’s puffin viewing site which offers the closest view of puffins from land in North America. Enjoy a chance to walk the cliffs and stunning coastal views. Overnight in Bonavista.

DAY 8: ST. JOHN’S

Spend the day in the historic port city of St. John’s and maybe take time to explore the beautifully restored one-room school and church dating back to the year 1879 or stroll the Memorial University’s Botanical Garden. For lunch or dinner, you might want to try one of the award-winning restaurants by the sea. On your last full day in Newfoundland and Labrador, you should not miss out on taking a walk through Downtown offering a wide variety of specialty shops, boutiques and galleries.

DAY 9: ST. JOHN’S DEPARTURE

Return your rental car (if applicable) to the airport before your departure flight.