Page 81 - 2024-25 Travel Guide to Canada

thrust the earth’s crust upward (www.parks
canada.gc.ca/grosmorne).
Tellingly, the extraordinary animal fossils
discovered at the province’s most recently
inscribed UNESCO site, the 5.7-sq.-km
(2.2-sq.-mi.) Mistaken Point Ecological
Reserve, date back further still. With a
discerning eye and a knowledgeable guide,
you can spot 20 different species embedded
right on the surface of the wave-washed rocks.
Representing the oldest complex multi-
cellular life forms ever found, they are more
than half a billion years old (www.gov.nl.ca/
ecc/natural-areas/wer/r-mpe).
Such ancient attractions—together with
others that are officially protected, privately
operated or provided by Mother Nature—are
tangible reminders of Newfoundland &
Labrador’s timeless appeal.
WHAT’S NEW?
Marine Atlantic has leased a new passenger
ferry to operate routes between Nova Scotia and
Newfoundland beginning in 2024. It will be
powered in part by liquid natural gas, as well as
diesel fuel, and lithium batteries will help cut
down on carbon emissions for green efficiency.
Iceberg seekers have a new adventure option
with the local family-owned Whaler’s Quest
Ocean Adventures in Red Bay, Labrador. The
iceberg touring company opened last season
(www.whalersquest.ca).
A number of enchancements have been
announced for popular destinations and
infrastructure in Gros Morne National Park.
Improvements will be made on the highway
leading to L’Anse aux Meadows and the road
from Woody Point to Trout River, and Western
Brook Bridge is being replaced along Hwy.
430. As well, upgrades are being made to the
Tablelands and L’Anse aux Meadows parking
lots to improve visitor experience and safety
(www.parkscanada.gc.ca/grosmorne).
Combining stories, music and food, the
new Bites of Basque History program lets
visitors experience life in the past lane at
Red Bay National Historic Site (www.parks
canada.gc.ca/redbay).
CITY LIGHTS
St. John’s is a compelling mix of old and
new. Designated heritage venues and classic
Crayola-coloured houses blend with
contemporary office buildings in this upbeat
seaport. Boutiques, galleries and restaurants,
many of which give tradition a modern
twist, are plentiful here. So are bars: jumping
George Street reputedly has more per square
metre than any street in North America! The
province’s largest urban centre also boasts its
broadest selection of accommodations,
including business class and boutique
hotels, historic inns and quaint B&Bs
(www.stjohns.ca).
Corner Brook, the province’s second city,
makes a convenient base for sports and
nature-loving day trippers. Sitting in the
shadow of the Blow Me Down Mountains, it
puts visitors within easy reach of both
Marble Mountain and Humber Valley. An
average annual 5-m (16-ft.) snowfall draws
an international contingent of downhill and
cross-country skiers to the former each
winter, while the latter is a favourite locale
for anglers and golfers. Sailing or kayaking
on the boater-friendly Bay of Islands is a
memorable summertime alternative
(www.cornerbrook.com).
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
This province boasts a 29,000-km
(18,020-mi.) coast and land that
encompasses everything from daunting
mountains and dense boreal forests to
starkly beautiful barrens. So, naturally, it has
much in store. For starters, it is home to four
national parks, including Akami-Uapishku
-
KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park
Reserve—Atlantic Canada’s newest and
largest—which is working towards
developing natural and cultural tourism
opportunities for visitors. In this early
phase, potential visitors should be aware
that programs and services are limited, with
minimal infrastructure and services. The
remaining three—Gros Morne in western
Newfoundland, Terra Nova in eastern
Newfoundland, which is now a designated
Dark Sky Preserve, and the Torngat
Mountains on Labrador’s northernmost
tip—are all stand-outs in their own right.
GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK • NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TOURISM/TOM COCHRANE
NL
79
Special Events
www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/
things-to-do/festivals-and-events
MAY
• TRAILS TALES TUNES FESTIVAL,
NORRIS POINT
JUNE
• THE ICEBERG FESTIVAL, ST. ANTHONY
JUNE – SEPTEMBER
• GROS MORNE THEATRE FESTIVAL,
COW HEAD
• OCHRE FEST, OCHRE PIT COVE
• SEASONS IN THE BIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL,
TRINITY
JULY
• FISH, FUN & FOLK FESTIVAL, TWILLINGATE
• MIAWPUKEK POWWOW, CONNE RIVER
• NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK
FESTIVAL, ST. JOHN’S
JULY – AUGUST
• FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT, GANDER
AUGUST
• BRIGUS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
• MUDDY HOLE SCUFF ‘N SCOFF, MUSGRAVE
HARBOUR
• ROYAL ST. JOHN’S REGATTA
• WRITER’S AT ATWOOD POINT,
GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK
SEPTEMBER
• GROS MORNE FALL FEST AND CRAFT FAIR
OCTOBER
• FOGO ISLAND PARTRIDGEBERRY
HARVEST FESTIVAL
DECEMBER
• NORTH AMERICA’S FIRST NEW YEAR,
ST. JOHN’S