Travelling to Newfoundland

[Canadian_Camper]

Well, it's been a long time since I've posted! 2013 to be exact! We haven't RV'd that much since then, just a few local trips in Ontario, due to work, family and renovation commitments. But we're retired now, and planning a return trip to the east coast of Canada this summer.

If we go to Newfoundland, what is your advice for the minimum amount of time to spend there? Of course, we'll be visiting Gros Morne and L'Anse Aux Meadows, but what are your recommendations for "not to miss" places?

Thanks all!

[dcason]

In 2013 we spend a little more than a month (May/June) and it was wonderful. Weather complied. Returned to NY through Labrador. When we went we thought it would be a once in a lifetime adventure (cost, distance, etc). Well that fell off rather quickly. We might be going back this year or next and more in the works.

In a word, explore the Island. We have a class C without toad so we used it as a roving hotel finding a spot for the night wherever it was most scenic (we did dry camp in some information centers (closed) out of desperation once or twice.

Time, as much as you can. We could have spent more but we knew we were going back and had some things at home that were pulling. AND the bugs were pretty bad...like I've never seen in some spots.

WE hiked, walked beaches, saw moose (baby moose too)...at some find food in select restaurants (lest we end up with deep fried frozen).
Watch out for those moose. More times than I remember I saw moose out of my peripheral vision while I was in constant scan for them on the road. Second day there we saw a minivan damaged by moose and down the highway, the dead moose.

So much to see, do.

[Tripalot]

What we have found works out well is to take a late afternoon sailing to Port aux Basque. Get off the ferry around 10 pm and drive a few miles up the highway and boondock at the Prov. Visitors Center. They open early in the a.m. so you can go and pick up 100's of brochures and get your questions answered.

Returning home, we try to book an early morning sail and boondock at the ferry terminal the night before.

[loggenrock]

Howdy - we had a 5 week time period from NH to "The Rock" and back last June/July. Here's a "must see" write-up I did last November from the thread "Newfoundland 2016" for VeeByes. Have a good trip!
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28646339/gotomsg/28651007.cfm#28651007

[trailerbikecamp]

Last year was the worst year in 20yrs for weather. According to the Almanac, this year is supposed to be warm and dry. But, yeti plus is right, bring some warm clothes, the weather here can change quickly.

On another note, take some time for Western Brook Pond. Book it ahead of time, since it is popular.

Dan

[Yeti_plus]

We went in 2015. Due to work commitments we only had 3 weeks. Heading out we thought it would be lots of time. NOT.
Driving back we made a list of what we would go back for. Filled a whole page, so I would think at least 6 weeks on the island itself.
Make sure to pack warm clothing as it it never got real warm when we were there(late June/early July).At L'Anse aux Meadows it was 3C and misty rain so not the nicest day,but St. Johns was tee shirt weather.
You might add in some extra time, because with the truck camper we didn't have to backtrack to retrieve the trailer.
We spent one night in the only Provincial Park in Labrador. We watched an iceberg from our campsite, while sitting at the table in the camper eating dinner. Not too many other places you can do that.
We took the night ferry both ways, so we didn't lose much time. Boarded,went to cabin ,slept, got up next morning and started to drive right off the ferry. Stopped shortly afterward and had breakfast, then on our way again.
Enjoy your trip.
Brian

[Veebyes]

Dang Tripalot, you got me all excited till I saw the pax only discount part. Don't like to nail ourselves to be anywhere from so far out but this still might be worthwhile. Our outbound & return fall in the discount period.

[woodhog]

Look on your maps and try to visit every CAPE in Newfoundland, all the roads to them are pretty well in and then out the same road, lots are isolated, when you get to the end of the road you will be at that CAPE, then just stay there all night, don't bother with campground reservations and that kind of stuff.
In between the capes stay at the Provincial Parks, cheap and have Seniors rates.

The Cape visits will give you a goal and purpose for the trip, try to do them all, take 2 months and hope for good weather this year.

Be sure to try Moose meat and Bake Apple Pie, a lot of people have a freezer full of moose meat and will give you ground up meat, steaks, sausage etc if you ask them...talk with everyone you meet there, they gave us fish, meat etc. you will not find a nicer bunch than in NFLD.

[trailerbikecamp]

What you Need to see depends on what you like to do. Twilingate is must if you enjoy icebergs. Check out "the southern shore" (just south of St. John's)for whale watching. While in St. John's check out Signal Hill, Cape Spear (the most easterly point in North America).

Look at the book 101 Must's for all Newfoundlanders.

There are also loads of festivals all over the island. Like LiL Kopit said check out the NL tourism website he posted. Let me know if you need any east coast ideas. Been here about 6yrs now, so I may be of some help.

[lonnie4801]

We did it in 2007 and 2015. You can see my trip log in the website listed in my signature for the 2007 trip. I have not posted the 2015 trip yet due to a hand problem. I indicated the places we stayed and the attractions we visited. Everything was much the same in 2015 as it Was in 2007, and just as enjoyable.

The one main addition in our 2015 trip was a rafting trip with Riverfront Chalets for the Badger Chute Rafting Trip out of Grand Falls-Windsor. It is not a white-water trip but is more than just a float trip. We enjoyed it.

In 2015 we went to Newfoundland via the Labrador Highway so only had to take the NS/NL ferry once, but the three crossings we have had on it were worth the price of the ride for the opportunity to visit Newfoundland.

As for the time needed, we did 9 weeks in 2007 and 7 weeks in 2015. Would really recommend at least 8 weeks.

Go and enjoy. IT IS QUITE AN EXPERIENCE.

PM me if you have any questions.

[Tripalot]

I just saw an ad in our newspaper that passenger fares on the ferry are on special 50% off if booked for departures Mon - Thurs. and between May 15th and July 15th. Booking has to be made by April 3rd. You might want to check this out at MarineAtlantic.ca/pab50
No mention of any discount on vehicle fares and this is the expensive part.

[Little_Kopit]

Hello there, I think you will remember me since you once invited me to stop off at your place on my way through. But not having seen you post in some time, I made no planned stop in Sudbury on my return drive this fall during the cross continent trip.

You will recall that I lived on NL for 24.5 years.

1. advice. PM to Diann of RobandDi. They used to do even years to AK and odd years to NL. Did at least 5 trips to each. Lately they've been going to other continents. They used to spend at least a month on Newfoundland each trip.

My must musts: Both sides of Bonne Bay for Gros Morne. West Coast carefully, check out theatre at Cow Head, especially for Tempting Providence, based on life of Nurse Bennet. Other historical theatre takes place up that way too. Norsted as well as L'anse aux Meadows and surrounding terrain. Historical communities can be reached on the east coast of the Northern Peninsula too.

Amble up or down the peninsulas and prowl - Little Bay Islands, Change Islands, Fogo Island, Trinity Pageant, Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve (one of a kind), St. John's .......

There is a build your own tour at the NL Tourism site and a one can be put on a mailing list. & there is a mailing list for gas price predictions too, if you want.http://www.pub.nf.ca/orders/ppo/fuel/Fuel_160324.pdf for each zone of gas prices.

Use this on trip http://www.roads.gov.nl.ca/cameras/default.stm - many useful links.

Remember, east coast, especially St. John's goes back many years. Even though Basques whalers did all coasts in the 15th c. and maybe before, their stops were seasonal camps each year. Museum of one is Red Bay, Labrador. & of course, you can come via ferry from NS and return via Labrador and QC 389. See my Labrador photos.

:B

My fav. non-fiction on the province As Near to Heaven by Sea: A History of Newfoundland and Labrador By Kevin Major, 2001 – ISBN 0-14-027864-8. Author grew up on west coast so there is a stronger balance of all areas than many histories.

[Veebyes]

I am sure one could do a fast whip around NL in a couple of weeks but we are doing a month to make allowance for weather days & a more relaxed trip.

Mainly due to ferry costs & a large rig this most likely be the only trip to NL so we want to make it well worthwhile.

[Tripalot]

We have been to NL several times. The ferry is expensive so it is advisable to spend as much time as possible visiting. It is a big island and there is a lot to see and do. A search on this forum will give you loads of information.

I would not even consider going if you cannot spend at least 4 weeks on NL - longer if at all possible. My advise is to book your ferry trip going to the island and 7 - 10 days before your intended return, book your return - and try to be flexible with your return date.

It is a wonderful place to visit. I am sure you have seen the many excellent ads on the TV promoting the Island. You won't be disappointed. Be sure to contact the tourist board for travel info.