Discover Newfoundland: A Scenic Self-Drive Adventure

Below is a sample itinerary

DAY 1: DEER LAKE ARRIVAL & CORNER BROOK

Arrival in Deer Lake marks the beginning of your Newfoundland journey. After picking up your rental car, continue to Corner Brook, where the day settles into a gentle start on the island’s west coast. By the time you arrive, the small coastal city’s harbour setting and relaxed pace provide an easy introduction to Newfoundland. Your centrally located hotel makes it simple to stroll downtown streets, explore the waterfront, or settle into a local restaurant for the evening.

Accommodation: Glynmill Inn (or similar)

DAY 2: GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK & THE TABLELANDS

The drive north follows the Viking Trail toward Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its remarkable geology. Within the park, the Tablelands reveal rust-coloured rock formations where Earth’s mantle lies exposed at the surface. This rare phenomenon appears in only a few places on the planet. The stark landscape contrasts sharply with the surrounding forests and coastline. Continue north through the park to Cow Head, where your hotel sits near Gros Morne’s northern shoreline and quiet coastal communities.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shallow Bay Motel & Cottages (or similar)

DAY 3: EXPLORING GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK

Today offers time to experience Gros Morne’s dramatic landscapes in greater depth. Many travellers choose a boat tour through Western Brook Pond, a glacier-carved freshwater fjord surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls. Another option is a coastal boat excursion on Bonne Bay, which explores fishing communities and marine wildlife along the park’s sheltered shoreline. Beyond the water, Gros Morne offers hiking trails, coastal viewpoints, and quiet communities where the pace of the day unfolds at your own rhythm.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shallow Bay Motel & Cottages (or similar)

DAY 4: ACROSS CENTRAL NEWFOUNDLAND TO GANDER

Leaving Gros Morne behind, the journey continues east across the island’s interior toward Gander. The drive passes through forested landscapes and inland lakes that characterize much of central Newfoundland. Upon arrival, the North Atlantic Aviation Museum provides insight into Gander’s role as a major transatlantic aviation hub during the early jet age and the Second World War. Your overnight stay here offers a comfortable stop along the cross-island route before continuing toward Newfoundland’s eastern coast.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sinbad’s Hotel & Suites (or similar)

DAY 5: TWILLINGATE & NOTRE DAME BAY

The road north leads toward Twillingate, a traditional Newfoundland outport community overlooking Notre Dame Bay. Fishing stages, working harbours, and colourful houses reflect generations of life tied to the North Atlantic. The town’s Long Point Lighthouse stands above rugged cliffs and sweeping ocean views, while the Prime Berth Fishery & Heritage Centre shares the story of Newfoundland’s fishing traditions. In spring and early summer, Twillingate is also known for iceberg sightings drifting along the coast. Later in the day, continue south through Terra Nova National Park before arriving in Clarenville.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Quality Hotel Clarenville (or similar)

DAY 6: BONAVISTA PENINSULA & TRINITY

The Bonavista Peninsula reveals one of Newfoundland’s most scenic coastlines. Rugged cliffs, open headlands, and sweeping ocean views define the landscape. Coastal roads reveal dramatic Atlantic vistas, green meadows overlooking the sea, and small communities shaped by centuries of fishing heritage. Cape Bonavista Lighthouse stands on a windswept headland above the rocky shoreline, offering expansive views across the North Atlantic. Continue to the picturesque town of Trinity, where brightly painted wooden buildings, quiet streets, and a sheltered harbour create one of Newfoundland’s most charming coastal settings. Return to Clarenville in the evening.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Quality Hotel Clarenville (or similar)

DAY 7: AVALON PENINSULA TO ST. JOHN’S

The route east crosses the Avalon Peninsula toward St. John’s, one of North America’s oldest cities and the cultural heart of Newfoundland and Labrador. As you approach the Atlantic coast, the road leads to a harbour that has welcomed fishing fleets, explorers, and traders for centuries. Spend the afternoon exploring colourful row houses and historic Water Street, walking the harbourfront, or visiting nearby Quidi Vidi Village, a small fishing community tucked within the city. By evening, local pubs and live music bring the city’s distinctive culture to life. You may even encounter the traditional Newfoundland screech-in.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Delta Hotels by Marriott St. John’s (or similar)

DAY 8: WITLESS BAY SEABIRDS & CAPE SPEAR

A short drive south of St. John’s brings you to Bay Bulls, departure point for boat tours into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. The islands here host North America’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins along with hundreds of thousands of other seabirds nesting along rugged coastal cliffs. The boat excursion brings you close to these lively colonies while offering views of the dramatic Atlantic coastline. After returning to shore, continue to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the easternmost point in North America. Late afternoon return to St. John’s leaves time to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Delta Hotels by Marriott St. John’s (or similar)

DAY 9: DEPARTURE FROM ST. JOHN’S

Your Newfoundland journey concludes in St. John’s today. Drive to St. John’s International Airport, return your rental car, and prepare for your onward travels. If time allows before your flight, a final stroll along the harbourfront or through the historic streets of downtown offers a relaxed way to close the trip