Q Where in Canada is your destination located?
We sit in the middle of Newfoundland and Labrador, between the east and west coasts.
To the east are popular locations like Bonavista and our capital, St. John’s, and to the west our second city Corner Brook and the popular Gros Morne National Park.
Q How do most visitors arrive in your region?
Located at the most easterly edge of North America, Newfoundland and Labrador makes a great road-trip destination. Most car travellers access the province by Marine Atlantic ferries, which operate between Nova Scotia and the island of Newfoundland.
There is year-round service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, in southwestern Newfoundland. Most days have two sailings – morning and evening – and the crossing takes six to eight hours, depending on weather.
From June to September there is also service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Argentia, on the Avalon Peninsula, a 90-minute drive from the capital city of St. John’s. This longer trip, about 15 hours, runs three times a week.
There are ferry routes for travelling between Newfoundland and Labrador. You can also drive to Labrador from the mainland of Canada, via Québec
Q Why would UK travellers visit?
Our mantra is icebergs, whales and hiking trails.
We are all about soft adventure.
We don’t have many extreme experiences but for those looking to get outdoors and enjoy nature, we are a great option.
You’ll see clapboard houses atop rocky coasts and working wharves that testify to the continuing importance of the centuries-old fishing industry.
Q What are some of those highlights and outdoor expereinces?
Terra Nova National Park is the most easterly National Park in Canada. It’s located along the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) and is characterised by a rugged coastline with coves, inlets, and stargazing opportunities.
It has 400 square kilometres of boreal forest and coastline and is popular for nature viewing, hiking, golfing, and camping
There are 12 different hiking trails; you can sign up for an overnight on the Coastal Ridge Trail, staying in a yurt.
Q What else does the region offer?
We can arrange for kayaking tours, iceberg tours and whale tours – and you can also see puffins too. May and June are the best months for icebergs.
You can visit Iceberg Alley, the stretch of coastline along which towers of ancient ice float down from Greenland – we make iceberg beer, iceberg vodka, iceberg water and even iceberg soap!
In July and August it is the whales who are the stars.
Twillingate and Fogo Island are the perfect places to enjoy watching for whales and icebergs. No words can truly capture the experience of coming face-to-face with either of these ocean giants. There’s a certain sense of awe that accompanies these encounters.
We are a region also known for our delicious culinary experiences, world class salmon fishing.
Q Tell us about the Central Newfoundland town that found fame by starring in a hit Broadway and West End musical
That is Gander, which is the setting for Come from Away.
As one of the few airports capable of handling the traffic when U.S. air space closed on September 11, 2001, Gander was perfectly positioned to welcome almost 7,000 newly stranded passengers and their 38 international planes.
Gander isn’t a large town – the visitors almost outnumbered the locals – and making room for all those unexpected guests, along with eleven dogs, nine cats, and two Bonobo apes, was quite a challenge.
Even so, its citizens and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians up and down the Kittiwake Coast opened their homes and hearts to these strangers from all over the world. These travellers found warm beds and home-cooked meals during a truly terrifying time.
The show is running this summer in Gander until August 31, featuring some of the original Broadway cast members.
Q Is there a great experience that fits in with the new Canada. naturally brand that is Destination Canada’s latest marketing initiative.
In Twillingate, at the top of our region, there is an operator called Wild Island Kitchen. They don’t have a building but rely on beach “boil-ups”. Crystal, the chef, runs an event on French Beach, featuring lobster.
You might see a wonderful sunset and icebergs just off the coast. That is a regular sight for locals, but always a breathtaking experience for visitors.
