1) Wreckhouse
The Wreckhouse, located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Port aux Basques is the home of some of the strongest winds of the world. Southeast winds funneling down from the 1700-foot Long Range Mountains reach speeds of up to
The Wreckhouse, located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Port aux Basques is the home of some of the strongest winds of the world. Southeast winds funneling down from the 1700-foot Long Range Mountains reach speeds of up to
2) Rose Blanche Lighthouse
Although often starkly functional in setting and design, lighthouses have become romantic symbols reflecting both Canada's maritime greatness and of safe haven. The affection of Canadians for lighthouses is abiding and enduring and the community of Rose Blanche, Newfoundland is no exception. The lighthouse is the only structure remaining from the earliest days of this community's history. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1871 using granite from a quarry located just below the lighthouse. The lighthouse was finished and lit in 1873.
Although often starkly functional in setting and design, lighthouses have become romantic symbols reflecting both Canada's maritime greatness and of safe haven. The affection of Canadians for lighthouses is abiding and enduring and the community of Rose Blanche, Newfoundland is no exception. The lighthouse is the only structure remaining from the earliest days of this community's history. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1871 using granite from a quarry located just below the lighthouse. The lighthouse was finished and lit in 1873.
3) Gulf Museum
Located on Main Street visit the Gulf Museum where you can see on display two 17th century astrolabes which are ancient navigational aids. Both of these artifacts were found by a local diver off of the shores of nearby Isle aux Morts. Also on display are Dorset Eskimo artifacts from the Cape Ray site, old photographs, tools, model ships and much more.
Located on Main Street visit the Gulf Museum where you can see on display two 17th century astrolabes which are ancient navigational aids. Both of these artifacts were found by a local diver off of the shores of nearby Isle aux Morts. Also on display are Dorset Eskimo artifacts from the Cape Ray site, old photographs, tools, model ships and much more.
4) Railway Heritage Center
Not far from the Memorial Park is the Port aux Basques Railway Heritage Centre. This site reflects the voyages that began over 100 years ago with the railway connected with the Gulf Ferry for travel to mainland Canada and beyond. Take a walk back in time to recapture the importance of the railway to Newfoundland's history to have a first hand look at the legacy that the railway left behind.
Not far from the Memorial Park is the Port aux Basques Railway Heritage Centre. This site reflects the voyages that began over 100 years ago with the railway connected with the Gulf Ferry for travel to mainland Canada and beyond. Take a walk back in time to recapture the importance of the railway to Newfoundland's history to have a first hand look at the legacy that the railway left behind.
5) J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is home to a services lot of day and evening camping areas. It also is part of the beautiful Cape Ray beach. This is the perfect location to see the endangered Piping Plover. With it's numbers dwindling, the Piping Plover can be seen nesting on the beach of the Park.
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is home to a services lot of day and evening camping areas. It also is part of the beautiful Cape Ray beach. This is the perfect location to see the endangered Piping Plover. With it's numbers dwindling, the Piping Plover can be seen nesting on the beach of the Park.
6) St. Andrews Na Creige Golf Course
Located 20 minutes outside of Port aux Basques, St. Andrews Na Creige has some of the best golfing, as well as scenery, that Newfoundland has to offer.
Located 20 minutes outside of Port aux Basques, St. Andrews Na Creige has some of the best golfing, as well as scenery, that Newfoundland has to offer.
12) Horizontal Wave Forest
Strong baffling winds, which are common to the region, have created a rare natural phenomenon known as a Horizontal Wave Forest. It is located on a hillside on the Trans Canada Highway, east of the Cape Ray exit near Bear Cove Brook. The hillside has a wavy horizontal appearance, as if some of the trees were completely cleared. However, this look has been caused by strange wind patterns leaving some areas of the hillside to have no trees while other areas have an abundance. On a windy day, one could stand in the shelter of the trees where the wind could be light, while standing in a patch of no trees the wind can gust to over 100 kilometers per hour. There is a great view of this remarkable wonder on top of Table Mountain, which is just opposite the wave forest.
Strong baffling winds, which are common to the region, have created a rare natural phenomenon known as a Horizontal Wave Forest. It is located on a hillside on the Trans Canada Highway, east of the Cape Ray exit near Bear Cove Brook. The hillside has a wavy horizontal appearance, as if some of the trees were completely cleared. However, this look has been caused by strange wind patterns leaving some areas of the hillside to have no trees while other areas have an abundance. On a windy day, one could stand in the shelter of the trees where the wind could be light, while standing in a patch of no trees the wind can gust to over 100 kilometers per hour. There is a great view of this remarkable wonder on top of Table Mountain, which is just opposite the wave forest.
7) Scotts Cove Park
Just below St. Christopher's Hotel is Scott's Cove Park. Take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk along the harbor and visit the multicolored kiosks for a souvenir of your journey. In the summer season, live entertainment at the park is available in the evenings.
Just below St. Christopher's Hotel is Scott's Cove Park. Take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk along the harbor and visit the multicolored kiosks for a souvenir of your journey. In the summer season, live entertainment at the park is available in the evenings.
8) Memorial Park
The Memorial Park is dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice in World War I and World War II. Also located here is the memorial to the SS Caribou, a passenger ferry that was torpedoed and sunk during World War II by a German submarine. The Memorial Park is located at the entrance to town across from the Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre.
The Memorial Park is dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice in World War I and World War II. Also located here is the memorial to the SS Caribou, a passenger ferry that was torpedoed and sunk during World War II by a German submarine. The Memorial Park is located at the entrance to town across from the Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre.
11) Grand Bay West Schist
The schist was formed by metamorphism of Cambrian or Ordovician sedimentary rocks, probably in Silurian time. It is medium to coarse grained and contains an interesting mix of metamorphic minerals. To see the schist, take the Grand Bay West road off of the TCH and continue to just before the bridge to Grand Bay East; turn west on a short paved road and drive beyond the houses and pavement toward the beach, then turn south on or above the beach to a point where the schist outcrops. In the beach outcrop, the schist contains bladed networks of shiny black hornblende, bluish kyanite crystals up to 1 cm long, red garnets up to .5 cm in diameter, staurolite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and white and black mica. White quartz veins are broken apart and mineral bands are folded. A less varied mix of minerals can be seen in outcrops back at the sandy beach just beyond the end of the pavement.
The schist was formed by metamorphism of Cambrian or Ordovician sedimentary rocks, probably in Silurian time. It is medium to coarse grained and contains an interesting mix of metamorphic minerals. To see the schist, take the Grand Bay West road off of the TCH and continue to just before the bridge to Grand Bay East; turn west on a short paved road and drive beyond the houses and pavement toward the beach, then turn south on or above the beach to a point where the schist outcrops. In the beach outcrop, the schist contains bladed networks of shiny black hornblende, bluish kyanite crystals up to 1 cm long, red garnets up to .5 cm in diameter, staurolite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and white and black mica. White quartz veins are broken apart and mineral bands are folded. A less varied mix of minerals can be seen in outcrops back at the sandy beach just beyond the end of the pavement.
9) Matthew's Horse Rides
Located at the Grand Bay West beach, you can ride the beach on horseback or by wagon. Please call ahead to Gordon Matthews at 709-695-3920 to make arrangements.
Located at the Grand Bay West beach, you can ride the beach on horseback or by wagon. Please call ahead to Gordon Matthews at 709-695-3920 to make arrangements.
10) Newfoundland Trailway
This begins at the Port aux Basques Railway Heritage Centre. The trail has been developed by developing the abandoned railway bed left from the Newfoundland Railway. This railbed is ideal for hiking, bicycling, backpacking and for ATV use. It is possible to travel the railbed from Port aux Basques to St. John's, however, some sections of the trail are more developed than others. The trail from Port aux Basques to the Codroy Valley is well developed. Breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains await the hiker.
This begins at the Port aux Basques Railway Heritage Centre. The trail has been developed by developing the abandoned railway bed left from the Newfoundland Railway. This railbed is ideal for hiking, bicycling, backpacking and for ATV use. It is possible to travel the railbed from Port aux Basques to St. John's, however, some sections of the trail are more developed than others. The trail from Port aux Basques to the Codroy Valley is well developed. Breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains await the hiker.
13) Hook & Line Interpretation Centre
Burnt Islands - In 2003, an old Community Bait Shed was transformed into this beautiful Interpretation Centre. The Hook and Line Museum is a bee - hive of activity. Visitors can see local fisherman baiting their trawl, offering a unique opportunity to witness first - hand how fishermen prepare for the fishery. Historical artifacts, display panels and storyboards make the centre an interpretive, educational and unique attraction. The Hook and Line Interpretation Centre hosts a coffee / craft shop.
Burnt Islands - In 2003, an old Community Bait Shed was transformed into this beautiful Interpretation Centre. The Hook and Line Museum is a bee - hive of activity. Visitors can see local fisherman baiting their trawl, offering a unique opportunity to witness first - hand how fishermen prepare for the fishery. Historical artifacts, display panels and storyboards make the centre an interpretive, educational and unique attraction. The Hook and Line Interpretation Centre hosts a coffee / craft shop.
14) Codroy Valley Wildlife Musuem
Get a better look at our wildlife at the Grand Codroy Wildlife Museum and Art Gallery. Here you can have your picture taken with Newfoundland's largest mounted moose, and view hundreds of species of animals, birds, and fish set in artificial displays of their natural surroundings.
Get a better look at our wildlife at the Grand Codroy Wildlife Museum and Art Gallery. Here you can have your picture taken with Newfoundland's largest mounted moose, and view hundreds of species of animals, birds, and fish set in artificial displays of their natural surroundings.
15) Cape Anguille Lighthouse
Come check out the lighthouse in Cape Anguille. Not only is this lighhouse a treat to the eyes, but this area is great bird watching!
Come check out the lighthouse in Cape Anguille. Not only is this lighhouse a treat to the eyes, but this area is great bird watching!
16) Codroy Valley Bird Watching
Visit the Grand Codroy Estuary , located at the mouth of the Grand Codroy River - an area recognized by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Here, you can stand at the waters of this estuary and spend the day watching and photographing birds in their natural habitat. This is a stopover for migrating water and land fowl heading north in the spring and south in the fall and a landing place for the rare species occasionally blown off course. Head to the interpretation centre and then hike the trail along the rushing riverbank, making note of the plants and wildlife you see along the way.
Visit the Grand Codroy Estuary , located at the mouth of the Grand Codroy River - an area recognized by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Here, you can stand at the waters of this estuary and spend the day watching and photographing birds in their natural habitat. This is a stopover for migrating water and land fowl heading north in the spring and south in the fall and a landing place for the rare species occasionally blown off course. Head to the interpretation centre and then hike the trail along the rushing riverbank, making note of the plants and wildlife you see along the way.
Itineraries
(click headings for more info)
HIKING OPPORTUNITIES
LIGHTHOUSE TOUR
DAY TRIP TO ROSE BLANCHE
MUSEUM TOUR
(click headings for more info)
HIKING OPPORTUNITIES
LIGHTHOUSE TOUR
DAY TRIP TO ROSE BLANCHE
MUSEUM TOUR
150 km/hr, playing havoc with transportation in the area. In the past, the high winds blew rail cars completely off the tracks that ran at a right angle to the direction of the wind. Although the trains no longer run through the Wreckhouse, Transport Trucks who do not pay attention to the wind warning, usually take the damage from the storm.