Exploring Canada: Countdown to Newfoundland

 

Countdown to Newfoundland!

We are gearing up for our next adventure, and this time, we are staying a little closer to home. As part of a new "Exploring Canada" series on the blog, we are packing our bags for a 9-day road trip through the rugged, beautiful landscapes of Newfoundland.

Instead of trying to rush across the entire island, we are focusing our time on the stunning Eastern and Central regions, splitting our 9 nights across three fantastic base camps. Our journey kicks off right from the St. John's airport, where we'll grab a rental car and head straight into the heart of "The Rock."

Here is a sneak peek at the itinerary and the stops we have planned:

1. Twillingate via Gander (3 Nights)

Right out of the gate, we are kicking things off with an epic 5-hour trek from the airport up to the beautiful coastal town of Twillingate, making a quick pit stop in historic Gander along the way to stretch our legs. Twillingate is famous for its dramatic cliffs and ocean views. We are dedicating three full nights here to trek the incredible Twillingate Hiking Trails, scout the waters for whales, and hopefully catch sight of some massive icebergs drifting down Iceberg Alley. If you're planning your own trip, the official Iceberg Viewing Guide is a great resource to bookmark for tracking these glacial giants from the shore.

2. Port Rexton, Bonavista, & Elliston (2 Nights)

Next, we’ll wind our way down to the stunning Bonavista Peninsula, setting up our base camp in Port Rexton for two nights. While we are staying in Port Rexton, we’ll be exploring the surrounding area extensively. High on the priority list is hiking the famous Skerwink Trail—a dramatic 5.3 km loop known for its towering sea stacks and sweeping harbor views. We will also be spending time in Bonavista and venturing over to Elliston, which is widely celebrated as one of the closest and most accessible land-based Puffin Viewing Sites in North America.

3. St. John's (3 Nights)

We will wrap up our 9-day loop by returning to the capital for our final three nights. Timing worked out perfectly on this trip, as we will actually be right in St. John's to celebrate Canada Day 🇨🇦! Beyond the city festivities, we plan to use our final days for some fantastic day trips. We are looking forward to standing at the easternmost point of North America at the historic Cape Spear Lighthouse, and heading down the Irish Loop to cross the spectacular 50-meter suspension bridge over the river gorge at La Manche Provincial Park.

It is going to be a packed 9 days of hiking boots, ocean air, and coastal wildlife. Follow along over the next few weeks as we share the full breakdown, photos, and highlights from this classic Canadian road trip!