Tailor-Made Itineraries | Essential Newfoundland | If Only
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SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY
Newfoundland

Essential Newfoundland

6 NIGHTS FROM £2,680 per person

This seven-day self-drive journey through Newfoundland combines vibrant city life, historic villages, and stunning coastal scenery. Begin in St. John’s, exploring its museums, Signal Hill and Cape Spear before venturing to the Bonavista Peninsula, home to charming fishing villages and dramatic cliffs. Discover the historic village of Trinity, walk the scenic Skerwink Trail in Port Rexton, and visit Bonavista’s lighthouse, Matthew Legacy ship replica, and historic fishery sites. Wildlife encounters include whale and puffin watching from Bay Bulls, with the chance to spot drifting icebergs. Throughout the trip, immerse yourself in Newfoundland’s rich history, maritime heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty.

Itinerary

place DAY 1 - St. John’s

St. John’s

Arrive in St. John’s and pick up your rental vehicle. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

place DAY 2 - St. John’s Sightseeing

St. John’s Sightseeing

Explore the highlights of St. John’s with a visit to The Rooms museum and gallery, showcasing the city’s art, culture and history. Drive up Signal Hill for impressive views over the harbour, then continue to Cape Spear National Park, the most easterly point in North America. Just 3 km from the city centre, stop by Quidi Vidi Village – one of Newfoundland’s most photographed locations and perhaps visit Quidi Vidi Brewery for a local refreshment.

place DAY 3 - St. John’s to Bonavista Peninsula and Trinity

St. John’s to Bonavista Peninsula and Trinity

Today, travel to the Bonavista Peninsula, renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery, rugged cliffs and charming fishing villages. This region is home to some of Newfoundland’s oldest European settlements, including the historic towns of Bonavista and Trinity, where beautifully preserved buildings reflect the province’s rich maritime heritage.
Before settling into your accommodation for the evening, consider driving around 20 minutes south of Trinity to the community of New Bonaventure to visit the Random Passage Site. Originally constructed in 2000 as a set for the international TV mini-series Random Passage, the site now offers an immersive glimpse into what life was like in a remote 19th-century fishing outport, complete with traditional structures and costumed interpreters.

place DAY 4 - Trinity

Trinity

Discover the enchanting village of Trinity, where restored white and pastel-coloured clapboard houses line the waterfront. Set against a dramatic coastal backdrop, the village offers a wonderful insight into Newfoundland’s history and natural beauty. 
Stroll through its preserved historic buildings, watch a blacksmith at work, and visit the Cooperage to learn about traditional barrel making. You might also join the Trinity Pageant, a unique walking theatre performance that brings the town’s history to life as it winds through the streets. For those feeling active, take the short but steep 20-minute hike up Gun Hill for panoramic views over Trinity and the surrounding coastline.

place DAY 5 - Explore Port Rexton and Bonavista Peninsula

Explore Port Rexton and Bonavista Peninsula

Travel to Port Rexton and enjoy a walk along the Skerwink Trail, a well-maintained coastal path offering striking views of the rugged cliffs and nearby villages set against the Atlantic Ocean. 
Continue north to the town of Bonavista to visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site, a restored 19th-century fish processing facility that highlights Newfoundland’s long-standing fishing heritage. In Bonavista, you can also see the distinctive red-and-white Bonavista Lighthouse and the Matthew Legacy, a full-scale replica of John Cabot’s ship that made the transatlantic voyage to these shores in 1497. 
Nearby, Dungeon Provincial Park features a dramatic collapsed sea cave where the ocean has carved two natural arches through the rock. A short drive away, the town of Elliston offers excellent opportunities to view puffins up close at the Elliston Puffin Viewing Site, where the birds nest along the rugged cliffs.

place DAY 6 - Trinity to St. John’s via the Avalon Peninsula

Trinity to St. John’s via the Avalon Peninsula

This morning, drive south to the scenic Avalon Peninsula and the town of Bay Bulls to join a boat excursion to see whales and the Atlantic puffin - if you are lucky you may even spot an iceberg. Along the way explore the little villages that dot the coastline. After your whale watching excursion, return north to St. John’s and settle in for one final night.

place DAY 7 - St. John’s

St. John’s

Spend your final day at leisure, reflecting on your journey before your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your adventure by exploring more of Canada’s diverse regions.

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6 NIGHTS FROM £2,680 per person

Price includes international economy flights, terms & conditions apply.

0141 955 4000