Depart your accommodations in the morning and begin a day trip or overnight to the Discovery Trail. The first of three entrances to the Discovery Trail is only a two hour drive from St. John’s along the Trans Canada Highway (Route 1).
Located along Newfoundland’s East Coast, the Discovery Trail offers visitor’s a look into the past with a perfect view of the history, heritage and culture of the region. Come visit numerous historical sites, interpretive centers, museums and craft stores, restaurants and accommodations. Experience the history and culture of the Discovery Trail through spectacular festivals, events, pageants and theatre. The history of this region spans 500 years and you are invited to come along and join in a voyage of discovery – an experience you won’t soon forget.
Sample Time Schedule A
| 0800 | Depart your location and head to Clarenville, TCH – Route 1 to begin your tour of the Discovery Trail. Head North along Route 230 to Route 239. Head East along Route 239 to New Bonaventure. | | | | 1120 | Arrive in New Bonaventure and take a short 1 kilometer hike to White Point, a resettled community. Take a guided tour of the Random Passage film set. This site includes period houses, fishing stages, fish flakes, a church and a school; all set in a typical fishing community in the early 1800s. | | | | 1230 | Travel back along Route 239 to historic Trinity. | | | | 1300 | Enjoy a taste of Newfoundland in any of the areas fine restaurants. | | | | 1400 | Tour the many historic sites or shop for local arts and crafts from any of the fine gift stores in Trinity. You may wish to take a guided hike, or tour the town with Rising Tide Theatre. The New Founde Land Trinity Pageant takes you on a magical walking journey through the lanes, roads and sites of Trinity. Newfoundland’s pioneer heritage community is the setting as a colorful cast of characters relives our history in story and song. | | | | 1700 | Enjoy an evening meal in any of the fine restaurants or settle in for the night. In addition to evening theatre, there are many overnight accommodations in the area. Choose from a hotel, motel, cabin, coastal inn or cozy bed and breakfast. | | | | 1600 | Visit the Interpretation Centre in Fortune or the Fortune Head Fossil Site which has been designated a Global Stratotype. | | | | | |
Sample Time Schedule B
| 0800 | Depart your location and head to Clarenville, TCH – Route 1 to begin your tour of the Discovery Trail. | | | | 1000 | Head North along Route 230 to Southern Bay and travel Route 235 along scenic Blackhead Bay. A photographer’s dream with opportunities to view icebergs (in season) whales, eagles, moose and an abundance of other wildlife. | | | | 1130 | Arrive in Bonavista and tour the Matthew Legacy Site. Climb aboard a locally crafted replica 15th century fishing caravel, John Cabot’s vessel circa 1497 for a tour of the Matthew and interpretation centre. | | | | 1230 | Experience a taste of Newfoundland cuisine | | | | 1330 | Tour the Ryan Premises National Historic Site. Interpretive guides weave a fascinating tale of our salt fish trade and the history of the fish merchants. | | | | 1500 | Tour a provincial historic site such as Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, or travel to nearby Elliston to visit one of the 135 Root Cellars that dot the landscape or take a short hike to view puffins along the Atlantic Coastline. | | | | 1600 | Travel Route 230 to Port Union, the only union built town in North America. The town’s founding father, Sir William Ford Coaker, was instrumental in the formation of the Fishermen’s Protective Union, an alliance that shook the foundation of the ruling merchant class in NL during the early 20th century. A visit to the Advocate Building lets you explore one of the province’s most influential newspapers, The Fishermen’s Advocate. | | | | 1800 | There are many overnight accommodations along the Discovery Trail for overnight and evening meal. | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Destination St. John's makes
getting here easy
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Take a tour to discover
Eastern Newfoundland
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
From climate to currency,
all you need to know
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Use our membership list to
help plan your vacation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Check out stunning photos
of Eastern Newfoundland
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stay informed of our upcoming events
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other things to see and do
in Eastern Newfoundland
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The latest announcements
from Destination St. John's
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Destination St. John's offers
many vacations in one
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consider St. John's for your
next meeting or event
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Refer a friend to
Destination St. John's
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All you need to know about
getting here and getting around
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can't find what you're looking
for? Search for it here.
|
|
|
|
