WORDS JOCELYN PRIDE
MORE THAN THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Every year, from late spring through to mid-summer the entire east coast of Newfoundland turns into a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery.
NEWFOUNDLAND
Iceberg Alley, where you'll likely see large chunks of floating ice as big as your house.
NEWFOUNDLAND
Known as Iceberg Alley, between 400 and 800 majestic chunks of 10,000-year-old glacial ice in all shapes, sizes and colours from snow-white to deep aquamarine drift slowly south every spring to early summer, before melting in warmer waters. Twillingate is one of the best viewing spots as is Fogo Island, Red Bay and along the Avalon Peninsula. Sometimes they are even close enough to shore in St. John’s. One of the many boat trips on offer will get you up close (but not too close) and personal. Add to the experience and head to the picture-postcard village of Quidi Vidi (3 kilometres from St. John’s) and sample iceberg beer at the local brewery.
Quidi Vidi from above.
CAPITAL OF ENTERTAINMENT
Whether it’s the isolation or the happy mix of Irish, English, Welsh, French and Indigenous heritage, music, dance, storytelling, art and crafts are part of the rich fabric of life in Newfoundland. Its capital, 500-year-old St. John’s, would rival any city in the world not only for its beauty, but also its vibe. Catch a gig in George Street, the epicentre of live music, immerse yourself in the culture of the province at the Spirit of Newfoundland dinner and show or look out for new talent at the Lawnya Vawnya Music Festival. And then there’s the must-do Newfoundland experience: a ‘kitchen party’ where halls and homes all over the province turn into dance floors, musos jam and you can boogie like no-one is watching.
The colours of St. John's at sunset.
Quidi Vidi Brewing Company, where you can drink iceberg beer, bringing a whole new meaning to 'ice cold beer.'
Fogo Island Inn Restaurant has ocean views to die for to go alongside their exceptional dining.
GREAT SCOFF
Scoff is just one of the many endearing words in the language of the province, and with 29,000 kilometres of healthy coastline, a focus on ‘taste of place’ culinary delights are bountiful. The local speciality is cod, delicate in flavour and prepared hundreds of ways. Foraged foods are also a feature in high end restaurants like Raymonds in St. John’s, Mallard Cottage in Quidi Vidi village and Fogo Island Inn. Then there’s the traditional must-try dishes such as a jiggs dinner, fish and brewis, toutons, moose burgers, scrunchions and sweet treats like figgy duff and Newfoundland snowballs.
The seafood is fresh in this part of the world, and cod is the specialty.
Moose burger, anyone?
*Terms and conditions apply.
Your memory card will be full by the time you leave Newfoundland.
MAKING HISTORY
Over 460 million years in the making, Gros Morne National Park is a geological phenomenon – a rare glimpse into the mantle of Earth that lies exposed on The Tablelands, surrounded by waterfalls, towering cliffs and glacial fjords. At Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve on the Avalon Peninsula, you can see the oldest known collection of fossils that once made up the ocean floor. Red Bay is an archaeological site that tells the story of the Basque mariners who established a whaling station here in the 16th century and at Miawpukek (Conne River), where you can also learn about the First Nations culture with the Mi'kmaq people.
There are a number of different types of whale visible on Newfoundland.
FINS AND FEATHERS
Known as the seabird capital of North America, around 35 million birds gather on the island every summer to breed. Witless Bay Ecological Reserve on the Avalon Peninsula or Elliston Point on the Bonavista Peninsula are two hot spots for puffin viewing, or experience the noisy gathering of around 25,000 gannets at Cape St Mary’s Ecological Reserve. And then there are the resident bald eagles – one of the largest populations on the continent. Peak season for the birds is also best for whale watching. If you’re on a cruise, Orca, Humpbacks, Minke, Sperm or even Blue whales can pop up virtually anywhere, or for a more personal experience, hop on one of the many whale/bird watching tours from St. John’s.
Newfoundland is the seabird capital of North America.
A puffin takes a dip.
A couple of mighty beasts.
FURTHER NORTH
The Northwest Passage is one of the holy grails of seafaring. Through the centuries, the quest to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans captured the imagination of the who’s who of explorers who pushed beyond the brink to navigate 1400 km (900 miles) of uncharted waters choked with sea ice across the rooftop of Canada to find a shortcut between Europe and the Far East. Names like Sir Francis Drake, Captain James Cook, George Vancouver, Sir Martin Frobisher, Sir John Ross and Jacques Cartier, all gave it a crack, and failed, while Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1846 attempt resulted in the vanishing of his two ships.
The Northwest Passage is steeped in seafaring history, going unconquered for hundreds of years.
Building on the knowledge of others, Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen was the first person to conquer the Northwest Passage in 1903-1906. With further charting and advancements in technology, the search for Franklin’s ships continued. They were discovered in 2014 and 2016, sitting at the bottom of the sea in pristine condition.
And then there's the Arctic Big Five: Narwhals, Polar Bears, Walruses, Beluga whales and Musk Oxen are all spottable around these parts.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL DESIGNER TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM ITINERARY NOW!
Newfoundland Circumnavigation
12 DAYS | 11 NIGHTS | FROM $11,205*
Explore Newfoundland at its most authentic: by sea. Explore the island’s hidden treasures.
Newfoundland Discovery
14 DAYS | 13 NIGHTS | FROM $3,315*
Uncover the wonder of Newfoundland as you travel from south to north.
Into the Northwest Passage
17 DAYS | 16 NIGHTS | FROM $24,235*
To sail the Northwest Passage is to sail through living history, to sail the haunting landscapes that have enchanted explorers for centuries.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL DESIGNER TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM ITINERARY NOW!
Newfoundland Circumnavigation
12 DAYS | 11 NIGHTS | FROM $11,205*
Explore Newfoundland at its most authentic: by sea. Explore the island’s hidden treasures.
Newfoundland Discovery
14 DAYS | 13 NIGHTS | FROM $3,315*
Uncover the wonder of Newfoundland as you travel from south to north.
Into the Northwest Passage
17 DAYS | 16 NIGHTS | FROM $24,235*
To sail the Northwest Passage is to sail through living history, to sail the haunting landscapes that have enchanted explorers for centuries.