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West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary (2 Weeks)

Last Updated: November 23, 2022 · Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador

Newfoundland is arguably one of Canada’s most breathtaking provinces, affording its visitors’ unreal outdoor adventures and incredible wildlife viewing.

But exploring Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t come as easily, for its island and mainland are separated, and even on the island itself, it takes a whopping 13-hour roundtrip drive from coast to coast.

2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary - , Gros Morne National park, Tablelands, Western Brook Pond Fjord, Vikings.. | Bucketlist Bri #travel #adventure #newfoundland #roadtrip
2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary - , Gros Morne National park, Tablelands, Western Brook Pond Fjord, Vikings.. | Bucketlist Bri #travel #adventure #newfoundland #roadtrip

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St. John’s is undoubtedly one of the province’s most popular destinations, as it is the capital and where over 40 percent of the population resides.

As such, this makes the remainder of Newfoundland largely remote and wild; giving way to epic, scenic road trips such as on the west coast.

If you wish to travel off the beaten path, a west coast Newfoundland road trip is one of the best ways to enjoy the province’s rural towns and breathtaking landscapes.

During our 2 weeks traveling Newfoundland’s west coast, we were able to visit several popular towns and partake in some of the best hiking and stargazing opportunities.

Here’s my recommendation for your west coast Newfoundland itinerary so you don’t miss out on the best sights and activities.

Table of Contents show
The Ultimate West Coast Newfoundland Road Trip
What Does the West Coast of Newfoundland Cover?
Day 1: Port aux Basques
Day 2: Codroy Valley – Stephenville
Day 3: Port-au-Port Peninsula
Day 4: Corner Brook
Days 5-7: Gros Morne National Park
Day 8: Cow Head
Day 9: Hawke’s Bay – Port au Choix
Days 10-11: L’Anse aux Meadows
Days 12-14: Torngat Mountains, Iceberg Alley, or Return Trip

The Ultimate West Coast Newfoundland Road Trip

What Does the West Coast of Newfoundland Cover?

The west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador comprises the long stretch of coastline between Channel-Port aux Basques (where the ferry from Nova Scotia departs/arrives) to the northern tip of L’Anse aux Meadows — an 11th-century historic site where the Vikings first landed.

Road Trip West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary // Bucketlist Bri // www.bucketlistbri.com #newfoundland #adventure #roadtrip #travel

In between these two points lies a great amount of colorful fishing villages and larger commercial towns both alive with cultural events and festivities (especially throughout the summer months).

Of natural importance, the west coast features dramatic cliff and coastal views, whale, seal, and bird-watching, immense fjords and pristine lakes, waterfalls, and so much more.

The wild and untouched landscapes truly make for a memorable road trip.

Of course, adjust your road trip according to the number of days you have. We didn’t get to cover everything even in 2 weeks, but we also took our time in smaller towns.

Day 1: Port aux Basques

2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary | Bucketlist Bri
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park | Bucketlist Bri

Channel-Port aux Basques is the ferry port where we arrived with our van. From here, you’ll begin your west coast road trip!

There is a Visitor’s Center just 1-2 km up the road as you exit the ferry. Stop here to grab some helpful maps and brochures of your points of interest.

Things to do in the area:

  • Grand Bay West Walking Trail
  • Exploring Port aux Basques town
  • Travel west to Isle aux Morts
  • Camp overnight at J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park

The drive up north for day 2 is pretty remote. It’s a very scenic drive and you’ll see some Tablelands as well as gorgeous coastal views. The drive is lovely during a fiery sunset, but if you drive at dusk please watch out for moose!

Day 2: Codroy Valley – Stephenville

Climate protestors in Stephenville | Bucketlist Bri

The next “big” town from Port-aux-Basques will be the town of Stephenville, about a 2-hour+ drive away. However, if you have extra time, the drive up to Stephenville has smaller towns and inlets that afford beautiful views of the westernmost coastline.

If you want to take a detour, you can drive further west via Route 406 to Cape Anguille where there is a restored lighthouse, a tiny town, and a shipwreck from 1900.

Things to do in the area:

  • Detour to the western-most point at Cape Anguille
  • Visit the Codroy Valley (Wildlife Exhibit, Interpretation Centre, Provincial Park)
  • Go hiking in Barachois Pond Provincial Park
  • Explore Stephenville town

There is not much in the way of restaurants in Stephenville. Although we had a lovely stay at the Zenzville RV Campground, we didn’t linger long in the town.

Day 3: Port-au-Port Peninsula

Hidden Falls at Sheaves Cove, Port-au-Port Peninsula | Bucketlist Bri
Hidden Falls at Sheaves Cove, Port-au-Port Peninsula | Bucketlist Bri

Road-tripping the Port-au-Port Peninsula is a must-do activity on Newfoundland’s western coast. The drive itself is beautiful and you’ll likely be stopping often to take pictures.

From Stephenville, head west via Route 460. The road trip is also known as the French Ancestor’s Route, and at the Boutte du Cap, there’s even a traditional French bread oven. During the summer months, the oven is working and fresh baguettes are served between 12 and 2 pm.

What to see along the Port-au-Port Peninsula:

  • Dramatic cliff views and trails
  • Hidden Falls at Sheaves Cove
  • Stargazing and wildlife watching at Boutte du Cap
  • French bread oven

We camped overnight (wild camping) at Boutte du Cap in the unofficial camp spots. Each cove is surrounded by a bush and has a spot to make a fire. Stargazing here is amazing!

Day 4: Corner Brook

Photo Credit: cornerbrook.com

From Stephenville, follow Trans-Canada Hwy 1 to Corner Brook. Corner Brook is a much larger city in comparison, with much more to do (in my opinion).

Corner Brook is somewhat of a commercial hub, so you can stock up on anything you need here. Nevertheless, despite being a larger city, the area is surrounded by scenic mountains and the Bay of Islands.

What to do and see in Corner Brook:

  • Captain James Cook Monument and Park
  • Hike the Three Bear Mountain Trail
  • Visit the Newfoundland Railway
  • Corner Brook Gorge
  • Marble Mountain Ski Resort
  • Shop and eat out in the hip downtown

Days 5-7: Gros Morne National Park

2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary | Bucketlist Bri
Tablelands Trail in Gros Morne National Park | Bucketlist Bri

The gem of Newfoundland’s west coast is by far the Gros Morne National Park. Here, you can hike enormous mountains, marvel at ice-carved fjords, hike The Tablelands, go stargazing, and plenty more!

You will want to spend at least 3 days exploring Gros Morne National Park. But considering all there is to do, you might want to stay longer.

The park does require a valid park pass (24 hours) for any activity within the park, so keep that in mind as you plan your hikes and such.

Start on this side of Gros Morne, because you will need to circle around the East Arm bay to reach Norris Point and Rocky Habor, situated just across from Bonne Bay.

Where to start exploring in Gros Morne

  • The Tablelands Hike (Easy to Moderate – 2km+)
  • Visit small-town Bonne Bay
  • Stargaze at Trout River Pond
Western Brook Pond Fjord | Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Once on the other side, you can then start exploring other hikes and sights like the amazing Western Brook Pond Fjord boat cruise and hike (as pictured above).

  • Gros Morne Mountain Hike (Difficult – 16km loop)
  • Visit Norris Point/Rocky Harbor
  • Hike or cruise the fjords at Western Brook Pond
  • Check out the Lobster Cove Lighthouse Exhibit

Make sure to pick up a Gros Morne National Park park map when you buy your park pass to get detailed hikes in the area.

Day 8: Cow Head

Cow Head is a small town, but you’ll often read or hear of it because of the cultural festivities going on there.

Cow Head’s Bay is most famous for the Gros Morne Theatre Festival at the Warehouse Theatre. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but apparently the plays are extremely good. Unfortunately, there weren’t any plays when we passed through in mid-September.

Activities in Cow Head:

  • Lighthouse Trail
  • Gros Morne Theatre Festival
  • Cow Head Lobster Festival
  • Dr. Henry M. Payne Community Museum
  • Shallow Bay Beach

From Cow Head to L’Anse aux Meadows (the tip of west coast Newfoundland) is a 3-hour 40-minute drive. Though we didn’t make it up to the north (we took a detour to Burlington), you can either stop along the way or make the drive straight.

Day 9: Hawke’s Bay – Port au Choix

2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary | Bucketlist Bri
Port au Choix | Photo Credit: Bobsnewfoundland.com

Hawke’s Bay and/or Port au Choix make for a great stopover in between Cow Head and L’Anse aux Meadows. There are also a couple of things to do and see here.

In Hawke’s Bay, you can witness a geological phenomenon right in the center of town, known as glacier striae, which shows the directions of glacial flow in the limestone that’s found on the beach in Hawke’s Bay.

Things to do in Hawke’s Bay:

  • Torrent River Salmon Interpretation Center
  • John Hogan Hiking Trail
  • Torrent River Nature Park

In Port au Choix, you will be immersed in time’s past, with ancient burial sites and aboriginal artifacts.

Things to do in Port au Choix:

  • Explore the limestone barrens
  • Learn about how seals have sustained life in the area for thousands of years

Days 10-11: L’Anse aux Meadows

Hooray! If you’ve reached L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, then you’re now on the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula.

Here, Norse expeditions sailed from Greenland, building a small encampment of timber-and-sod buildings over 1000 years ago. Against a stunning backdrop of rugged cliffs, bog, and coastline, discover the fascinating archaeological remains of the Viking encampment, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. You’ll meet costumed Viking interpreters as you tour the recreated base camp and discover original artifacts from this internationally renowned archaeological find.

–Parks Canada


Because you made it all the way here, it’s worth it to stay at least one to two nights.

Hotels in L’Anse aux Meadows:

The Big Blow – Exceptionally well-rated bed and breakfast located minutes from the Viking Site and Museum.

Valhalla Bed & Breakfast – Hill-top lodge affording scenic coastal ocean and iceberg views.

We were extremely bummed not to make it all the way here, but that just means we’ll have to go back. 🙂 Instead of heading further north, we diverged a little inland and went to Iceberg Alley.

Days 12-14: Torngat Mountains, Iceberg Alley, or Return Trip

From L’Anse aux Meadows, you have several options.

Torngat Mountains

Torngat Mountains | Photo Credit: @davebrosha

If you have more time to explore, you can take a ferry and cross to mainland Newfoundland and Labrador into the Inuit land east of Quebec. Here, you can have a most-exciting adventure exploring the mystical, razor-toothed subarctic Torngat Mountains.

Or, if you wish to explore the northern tip more, you can continue your road trip to Iceberg Alley, starting at St. Anthony’s, which sits southeast of L’Anse aux Meadows.

St. Anthony

St. Anthony, Iceberg Alley | Photo Credit: stanthony.ca

St. Anthony’s is only a 30-minute drive from L’Anse aux Meadows. Here, you can witness icebergs along the Iceberg Alley Boardwalk Trail as they pass through the spring and summer months.

Returning Home

Lastly, if you are intent on returning to the ferry in Channel-Port aux Basques at the end of your trip, it’s wise to begin the trek down.

Though you might not have realized it on your way up, it will take roughly 8 hours driving 700 km to make it back. It’s best to split this drive into 2 days, rather than 1. So take your time to make it back safely!

Optional

Bucketlist Bri // Van Life Journal Weeks 7,8,8 #bucketlist #vanlife #vanlifediaries #travelblog
Newfoundland and Labrador is speckled with quaint and colorful fishing towns (Burlington, Central Newfoundland) | Bucketlist Bri

If you have 2 weeks or more to road trip Newfoundland, you should consider visiting Central Newfoundland and crossing all the way to St. John’s in the east.

By far, the best way to tour Newfoundland is by car or van. With a car, you’ll need to map out your hotels and lodging, but a van gives extra flexibility in that you can wild camp (where available).

Our 2-week road trip by van in western Newfoundland came and went so quickly! We were able to see and do so much, but I still have yet to see an iceberg or breaching whale, as we were too late in the season.

With that being said, the best time to visit the west coast is in July-August. This is when you’ll get to see most wildlife, and icebergs, and even participate in the majority of cultural events and festivals.

Good luck with your adventures! Have you ever explored Newfoundland and Labrador? Drop your comments or thoughts below.

2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary - , Gros Morne National park, Tablelands, Western Brook Pond Fjord, Vikings.. | Bucketlist Bri #travel #adventure #newfoundland #roadtrip
2 Week West Coast Newfoundland Itinerary - , Gros Morne National park, Tablelands, Western Brook Pond Fjord, Vikings.. | Bucketlist Bri #travel #adventure #newfoundland #roadtrip
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By: Bri · In: Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador

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Comments

  1. Carol says

    May 25, 2022 at 10:46 pm

    Hey Bri, Your blog has been so helpful! After you explored the west coast of Newfoundland, did you take the ferry from St. Barbe to Blanc Sablon? How did you get to Quebec City? Or did you reserve a round trip ferry and head back down to Channel-Port aux Basques? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      May 30, 2022 at 12:47 pm

      Hi Carol! Thanks for writing 🙂 Yes — we took the roundtrip ferry back to Port aux Basques in Nova Scotia and then crossed into Quebec with the van!

      Reply

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Van Life Journal Weeks 7-9: 4 Provinces, 3 Weeks

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
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📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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