Bonavista: it’s where the New World began! The name itself is the essence of discovery: Bueno Vista – O Happy Sight, is how it translates from Italian. Legend has it these very words rang from the deck of John Cabot’s ship, The Matthew, when he made land here in 1497. They echo on in the Matthew Legacy Project, with our very own replica and interpretation centre.
Explore a destination steeped in history  Come to a place where brave explorers and fearless adventurers plied the waters of this rugged coastline. Immerse yourself in a sense of history thick with the language of a vital age and gaze towards a canvas of horizons rich with images of hope and opportunity. Here you’ll find the splendidly reconstructed Ryan Premises, a National Historic Site. Bonavista is just over 100 km/62 miles north of Clarenville, from the west on Route 230 from Clarenville or from the east on Route 235.
Five miles from Bonavista is the town of Elliston which was once called “Bird Island Cove” because of the numerous islands occupied by birds. Elliston is known today as the Root Cellar Capital of the World.
Port Union was an unoccupied area in the southwest arm of Catalina harbour prior to a 1915 land purchase by William F. Coaker. The site became the commercial headquarters for Coaker’s Fishermen’s Protective Union (FPU) and the Fishermen’s Union Trading Company. In May 1916, work commenced on building the town, which was named Port Union in December of that year.
The community of Catalina was first settled as a jumping off point for ocean going vessels before going on to destinations up the St. Lawrence River of the Americas.
King’s Cove was one of the most prosperous and popular communities on the entire Bonavista Peninsula. Headstones dating back to 1784 were still visible in the 1940s. Duntara and Keels are just a short distance out to the eastern shore of the bay. The King’s Cove Head Lighthouse was built in 1893 and a path called the Longshore Road leads to the light. There are great walking trails providing opportunities to see and photograph whales and seabirds. Back in Princeton, take in a round of golf at The View Golf Course.
History comes alive in Trinity  Brilliant summer comes alive in the communities of Trinity Bight. Of all Newfoundland’s heritage communities, Trinity perhaps defines us best. Trinity is one of the most historically significant communities in the province. The deep regard and respect for the past goes back farther here than anywhere else on the island.
Trinity was a crucial pioneer settlement, with some of the first clergy, doctors and professional trades people in Newfoundland. For a magical celebration of history and culture, join Rising Tide Theatre – the most highly-acclaimed theatre company in the province.
East Coast charm and Island life  Clarenville has been known as “The Hub of the East Coast” since the 1950s. Today, Clarenville is a multi-faceted community with a wide range of things to do and to see, a provincial centre for recreation and information technology, and the ideal place to start exploring the historic Discovery Trail.
Clarenville is only 100 km/62 mi from the legendary town of Bonavista and within a short drive of the region’s major attractions.
Random Island fits into Trinity Bay like a piece of a puzzle. At around forty kilometers in length and fifteen kilometers in width at its widest end, Random Island is the largest island in Newfoundland.
Route 204 is a voyage through the hills taking the traveler through the communities of Queen’s Cove; Long Beach, a traditional location for the spring capelin run; Island Cove; Hodge’s Cove; Caplin Cove; Little Heart’s Ease, one of the first harbours known to English fishermen in the early 1600’s; Butter Cove, the essence of an outport settlement with its winding almost perpendicular roads that takes the explorer right to the water’s edge; Gooseberry Cove and Southport with origins going back to the 17th century, when it was knows as Fox Harbour and is now one of the most photographed harbours in Newfoundland.
Gateway to Terra Nova National Park  Port Blandford, directly on the TCH (Route 1), is the gatekeeper for Terra Nova National Park and a town with a heritage of hospitality. Port Blandford began as a lumbering town in the late 1870s and by the turn of the century had become the railhead for Bonavista Bay Line and the terminal for the Bay coastal steamer service. Port Blandford is hometown for Twin Rivers Golf Course, a spectacular eighteen exciting holes of golf, ranked in Atlantic Canada’s top five.
In the spring and fall of the year, two kinds of whales are common in the waters around Norman's Cove-Long Cove. Humpback and Pothead whales come here to feed on the large schools of capelin that are plentiful in the waters from June to September. Norman's Cove-Long Cove has several perches from which the beauty of icebergs can be seen. It is not unusual for ‘bergs’ to be clearly seen on a leisurely drive in mid-summer. However, the best viewing locals are from our scenic walking trail - The Ocean View Trail.
Center Hill Trail is a major tourist attraction for those with an adventurous spirit and a love for the outdoors. With an elevation of 1153 feet, Center Hill Trail provides a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and bays. The tower was equipped with a telescope and a telephone to report fires. A sign marks the beginning of the trail at the far end of the town of Sunnyside, located off Route 1 just east of Goobies Junction. Bird watchers will enjoy their visit to the Come By Chance Estuary. It provides important spring and fall staging habitat for a variety of species of waterfowl including Black Duck, Green-winged Teal and Canada Goose. Spring staging occurs as waterfowl are completing their long northern migration from their wintering grounds. They stop at sites like this to feed, thus replenishing their energy reserves.
A haven for hiking and wildlife enthusiasts  Arnold's Cove has two main hiking trails, The Bordeaux Trail and the Cabot Trail. The wildlife enthusiast can catch a glimpse of the abundant seabirds and wildlife that frequent the rugged shoreline. Natural flowers such as the Pitcher Plant, and Wild Roses are spectacular. A must for the bird-watching enthusiast, the Town of Arnold's Cove Bird Sanctuary is an important migratory stop for birds all year with a large, growing population just 50 metres from shore. This haven is protected by provincial hunting regulations. Species include Canada Geese, Pie Ducks, Mallards, Ruddy Turnstones, Spoked Sandpipers, Twillicks, Mergansers, Plomers, a variety of gulls and the highest concentration of Black Ducks in eastern Canada. Also to be seen are Ptarmigans, Cormorants, Osprey and Bald Eagles. Endangered species are also occasionally spotted.
Visitors can tour the "Drake House" which was originally constructed in the 1890s in the island community of Haystack. In 1969, the house was towed across the bay to Arnold's Cove and has been kept in its original condition. It is now owned by the town and has been designated The Heritage House and is now available for public viewing during the summer.
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