Newfoundland, Land of History and Fun!

This summer my husband, 2 kids, my mom and my nephew, and I went to Newfoundland to visit family. We focused on the Deer Lake/Corner Brook region, Gros Morne and the Northern Peninsula as this is where our respective families are from.

We had some things on our list that we wanted to do and we managed to do most with the exception of one. The first thing we checked of is trout fishing; we first purchased a recreational licence and put all the family members on it. As we had brought our fishing rods all we had to do was find a pond or brook and this was easy! Ponds and brooks are plentiful in Newfoundland and are pristine and usually you are the only ones there. The kids loved it even though only one very tiny trout and 2 fresh water clams were caught. Just remember bring a change of clothes and some towels if travelling with kids as it usually ends up with a swim or a splash in the water.

Next we went zip lining over Steady Brook Falls near Marble Mountain, the ski hill near Corner Brook. The kids loved the adrenaline rush and the view while zip lining over the falls was amazing!!

As we travelled down the Northern Peninsula we decided to hike Gros Morne Mountain, the tallest mountain in Newfoundland at 806 metres. Gros Morne is the name sake of Gros Morne National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a strenuous hike and you need to be well prepared to do it, with lots of water, snacks, good boots and appropriate clothing as the weather can change quickly. The hike is 16KM and should take about 8 hours if you are in good shape, longer if you are not. The hike is well worth it because the views are amazing!

As we went further down the Northern peninsula we went to see the Underground Salmon Pools in Roddickton , this is a hidden gem! It involves a short boardwalk into a river that disappears into limestone caverns and reappears further down only to disappear again underground. There are salmon in this river and you can often see the salmon in the pool just before they go through the limestone caverns. The walk through the forest is magical with its ferns and black spruce that seem to grow out of and around boulders, you half expect to see a fairy but you would be more likely to see a moose.

We went to see Grenfell House in St. Anthony where Sir Wilfred Grenfell was based and implemented his medical missionary in 1893 that served that area and the Labrador coast. There is an interpretation centre there, with a great gift shop with traditional Newfoundland hooked rugs. It really is worth a visit; I’ve been there at least 3 times and never bore of it.

The highlight I think for all of us was L’anse Aux Meadows another UNESCO World Heritage site, where the Vikings had settled for a short time in the 11th century. There is an interpretation centre and traditional sod house with Vikings, who tell you about what Viking daily life was like so many years ago. The inside of the sod house is comfortable and cozy with furs you can sit on and a fire to warm you while you listen to the stories of Bjorn the Beautiful. This is a real family pleaser!

Overall Newfoundland is a wonderful family destination or for those that love the outdoors. The scenery is stunning, it is rich in history and there are no crowds! The most important travel tip I can give about traveling to Newfoundland is to book early as flights, cars and accommodations are limited and book up quickly during their short summer season.

Please feel free contact me about your next adventure by email at denise.gushue@gmail.com.