The Bonavista Peninsula is a must-see on your Newfoundland road trip. It offers the picturesque, historic towns of Bonavista and Trinity, stunning coastal scenery, lighthouses, historic sites, puffin viewing, and some of the best hiking trails in Newfoundland.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a couple of weeks, there is no shortage of things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula. In this guide, we’ll share our favourites from a recent trip to Newfoundland. We’ll also share some helpful travel information, including a map of the site locations, tips for planning your trip, and the best places to eat and stay in Bonavista.
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The Bonavista Peninsula is the ancestral territory of the Beothuk peoples, whose culture was tragically lost due to settlement and colonization. It’s also the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq, who have lived, gathered and cared for the land and waters since time immemorial. The Mi’kmaq name for Newfoundland is Ktaqmkuk, which means “land across the water”.
1. Visit historical Trinity
Trinity is one of our favourite places on the Bonavista Peninsula. This charming village, set on a small peninsula surrounded by water, is home to over a dozen lovingly restored historical buildings. We highly recommend taking a historical walking tour to learn about the stories of the sites and people who have lived there.
We’ve put together some tips for a self-guided historical walking tour of Trinity, Newfoundland.
2. Hike the Gun Hill Trail
Located in Trinity, the Gun Hill Trail takes you along the water’s edge and up a steep hill that gives you a sweeping 360-degree view of Trinity, Trinity Harbour and the surrounding hills. On the hike, you’ll see interpretive signs that share the history of Trinity.
Find the trailhead at the Rising Tide Theatre. We took the 1km Upper Gun Hill Trail, which is easy with a bit of a steep climb near the end. It took us 20-30 minutes round trip, though we lingered at the top to enjoy the views!
3. Treat yo’self at Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate and Sweet Rock Ice Cream.
With locations in Trinity and Bonavista, treat yourself to locally-made artisan chocolate at Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate or made-from-scratch ice cream from Sweet Rock Ice Cream before, during or after a day of exploring. Stopping into these shops is a MUST during our visit to the area.
- Trinity location: 7 Dock Lane, Trinity.
- Bonavista Location: 102 Church Street, Bonavista.
4. Enjoy dinner theatre at the Rising Tide Theatre
The Rising Tide Theatre Company opened in Trinity in 1978 and has since offered live performances and participated in theatre and arts festivals in the area. In 2000, the Rising Tide Arts Centre, as it stands today, was constructed 2000, and it sees over 20,000 visitors annually.
The Rising Tide Theatre offers a live play, which often includes a multi-act musical comedy, and a full dinner. The showtime calendar runs from early July to Labour Day. The theatre company also participates in the Newfoundland Trinity Pageant, where actors take to the streets to portray a few of the most outrageous characters in the town’s history.
5. Have a pint at Port Rexton Brewing & Tap Room
Port Rexton Brewing is one of the best breweries in Newfoundland. They have some great beers on tap, including gluten-free options, plus snacks and food from the Oh My Cheeses Food Truck on site. There’s a spacious indoor tap room, but my favourite spot is the expansive patio and beer garden outside. Nestled in a green meadow, the garden is both pet- and kid-friendly and stocked with fun board games.
It’s a great spot to hang out and relax after doing a hike or exploring the area.
6. Hike the Skerwink Trail
The Skerwink Trail was one of the best hikes I did on our recent trip to Newfoundland. It’s a well-maintained, relatively easy 5.3 km loop. Hikers will experience epic coastal scenery, including dramatic cliffs, wind-blown forests, and wide-open ocean views.
Travel & Leisure Magazine once ranked it one of the top 35 trails in North America and Europe, and we can see why. Read our guide to the Skerwink Trail in Port Rexton.
7. Visit Lockston Path Provincial Park
If you’re camping or looking for a beach and a swimmable lake on a warm summer afternoon, visit Lockston Path Provincial Park. We camped there and were impressed by the expansive and private campsites. It also has a playground, two hiking trails and a well-maintained beach and day-use area on Freshwater Pond. It’s the perfect place for campers to set up a home base while exploring the Bonavista Peninsula.
8. Puffins! Visit the Elliston Puffing Viewing Site
Puffins are a major attraction for the area, and visiting the Elliston Puffin Viewing Site is definitely one of the top things to do on the Bonavista Peninsula. It’s the most accessible and offers the closest views of puffins from the land in North America, according to Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.
This Puffin Viewing Site is FREE to visit, easy to reach by car and on foot, and very family-friendly. As you walk towards the viewpoint, you’ll see puffins swooping over the water, waddling on grassy cliffs, and even diving for fish! These small birds are adorable and super fun to watch.
Plan your trip with our Puffin View in Elliston Guide.
9. Check out the root cellars in Elliston
While you’re in Elliston, see how many historic root cellars you can spot. Built into small hills, root cellars are a traditional way to store food like carrots and potatoes. They keep things cool in the summer and prevent freezing in the winter.
The village is known as the Root Cellar Capital of the World and is home to 130 known root cellars. There are a few that you can go into, including near the entrance to the Puffin Viewing Site.
10. Explore the Dungeon Provincial Park UNESCO Geo-site
Near the top of the Bonavista Peninsula, and not far from Elliston, is Dungeon Provincial Park. It’s a small park, consisting of a grassy bluff that overlooks the ocean. What makes it so interesting and cool to explore is the enormous heart-shaped crater that has two separate rocky archway openings to the sea. It is a designated geo-site in the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark.
From the viewing area, you can see how the waves have carved out this sea cave. You can walk along the grassy bluff that goes over the archways, but be mindful of the cliffs! The drop off is steep, so keep an eye on your kids if you’re exploring as a family.
The Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site is just up the road from Dungeon Provincial Park. The lighthouse was built in 1843 and is one of the few in the world that still has a seal oil-fueled catoptric light apparatus that was used in the 1800s. It’s perched on a rugged cliff and offers great views of a nearby puffin colony. In the summer, you can view puffins and watch for whales and icebergs out at sea.
There is an interpretive centre that offers an indoor exhibit and guided tours of the premises. You can also climb up the lighthouse with your entry fee.
12. Hike to Spillars Cove via Klondike Trail
The hike to Spillars Cove is an easy 3km trail that takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. It’s part of the Discovery Geopark and is best known for “the Chimney,” a tall, narrow sea stack left by years of erosion. The rocks and cliffs are sedimentary, which creates some incredible rock formations shaped by years of wind, waves, and weather.
Admittedly, we didn’t make it to the Chimney due to torrential rain and a tired kid who had had enough, but it still comes highly recommended if you’re in the area!
13. Take a whale watching tour.
During the summer, whale watching is a popular activity on the Bonavista Peninsula. You can see humpback, fin, minke, and sometimes sperm whales on tours departing from Trinity or Bonavista. You might also see other wildlife, including dolphins and porpoises, puffins, eagles and a variety of seabirds. Plus, getting out on the water is the best way to take in the dramatic coastal scenery.
From Trinity, book with Trinity Eco Tours or Sea of Whales Adventures.
From Bonavista, book with Bonavista Puffin & Whale Tours or Discovery Sea Adventure Tours.
14. Mockbeggar Plantation Provincial Historic Site
If you’re a history buff, there are several historic sites to visit on the Bonavista Peninsula. The Mockbeggar Plantation in Bonavista is a fishery that has been at its current location since the 1700s. It played a significant role in the development of Bonavista and the local fishing industry.
The house is restored to 1939 and tells the story of F. Gordon Bradley, a statesman and advocate for Newfoundland joining the Confederation of Canada.
15. Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada
If you have kids and only want to see one historic site in Bonavista, opt for the Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada. The site tells the 500-year story of Newfoundland’s fishery and features several interactive displays for young explorers.
There are five buildings to explore, and the Orientation Centre features a “Cod, Seals and Survivors” exhibit with interactive and multimedia displays. It also has a fun interactive game you can play with your kids and hands-on activities like learning how to split a cod (using a stuffed cod).
Getting there and the attractions map
The Bonavista Peninsula is about a three-hour drive from St. John’s, taking the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 230. There is no bus, so you’ll have to rent a car in St. John’s if you arrive by plane or the Newfoundland ferry.
The main attractions on our list are in Trinity, Bonavista, and between. While you’re exploring, take your time and enjoy the journey.
When to visit
The best time to visit Bonavista is during the summer months, from mid-June to September. The weather is the nicest, and all restaurants, accommodations, tour operators, historical sites, and attractions are open. If you want to visit outside the peak season, check ahead to ensure you can secure accommodation, do the activities and see the sites that have caught your interest.
As you can see from most of our photos, the weather can be grey and rainy. We were there in July and had a mix of rainy and sunny days. Summer temperatures are usually between 15°C and 21°C, but it can be windy, rainy and foggy at any time. Make sure you pack warm layers and rain gear.
There are plenty of accommodations on the Bonavista Peninsula, including vacation rentals, cottages, heritage inns and guest suites. You won’t find any chain hotels or motels here, but I can appreciate that! We stayed at Trinity Cabins, which offers cozy cabin rentals and RV camping. In Bonavista, Russletown Inn is highly recommended and offers comfortable lodging in several heritage buildings. Find more places to stay in Trinity.
For camping, we stayed in an RV site at Trinity Cabins and at Lockston Path Provincial Park. Lockston Path had large, private, and treed sites, and was my preference, even though it was about 20 minutes from Trinity. There is also Paradise Farm Park between Trinity and Bonavista (call for reservations) and a free parking-lot-style dry camping area near the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
The towns of Bonavista and Trinity are both small, so there are limited dining options. In Bonavista, you can find trendy eats at the Ragged Rocks Gastropub and traditional Newfoundland fare at Mifflin’s Tea Room. For something a little more upscale, make a reservation at the Boreal Diner.
In Trinity, you can have a gourmet dining experience at the popular Twine Loft (book your table in advance) or opt for casual pub food with marina views at the Dock Marina Restaurant. There’s also craft beer, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and fries at the Port Rexton Brewery. Of course, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate Shop and Sweet Rock Ice Cream offer delicious treats in both towns.
