Suggested Natural Sites Itinerary in Bonavista Area

Have half a day you'd like to spend seeing local natural wonders? Here's a great route (with snacks & shopping scheduled too ;) ) that will take you to some amazing scenic wonders and let you see puffins by the 1000's!

Here is the route on Mapquest

Elliston 
* Good breakfast joint, root cellars, puffins

Start out your morning heading towards Elliston from Bonavista. (Aim for the old water tower).
Stop at Nanny's Root Cellar Kitchen for $15 all you can eat breakfast buffet (Saturdays & Sundays 9 - 1) filled with bacon, eggs, toutons (you must try them) and more!
With full bellies drive through town - the road is very windy, you may wish to ask for orientation towards the puffin island).
Park around the bend from the puffin site info booth because here you can poke sticks at old root cellars!
Don't miss the interesting rock formation behind the white house with no electricity (we call that butt crack island).
There is no admission fee but you are welcome to leave a donation.
Follow the path out as far as you can walk, be sure to stop and take pictures along the way.
There will be other folks out there...you will eventually come to the end of the peninsula, beyond that is puffin island! 1000's are nesting in the holes they dig into the rocks!
Maberly
*Fantastic craft shop filled with all handmade souvenirs - crochet, paintings, woodwork, quilts, hooked rugs
After you've had your fill, keep heading out of town towards a little place called Maberly. The road is circular here so either branch is fine.
Watch for signs to Puffin Ventures Crafts & Gifts. An excellent family owned shop where everything is hand crafted by the family and really affordable (think crocheted table cloths, fingerless mitts and kids sweaters). Note: this shop has no electricity!
After you've stocked up on goodies head back through Elliston towards Bonavista. When you are almost to Bonavista, watch for signs for Spillars Cove.
Spillars Cove
*Sea pillar natural formation & hiking

Drive through Spillars Cove and park where the pavement ends.
Follow the gravel path all the way to the water's edge (it is ok to walk off the path).
You are aiming for the sea pillar! Neat view. Have more time? Hike that path back to Elliston along the coast!
Dungeon Provincial Park
*Fascinating natural sea formation

Head back towards Bonavista. As you are approaching town, watch for signs to Dungeon Provincial Park.
Get ready to ATV this road (LOTS of potholes, drive slow. Also, noisy bridge...don't worry you won't fall in).
There is a parking area at the Dungeon. Get out, take pictures! You can wander around to the other side too if you want.
Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
*Historic tour, fantastic gift shop - great for knit goods & labradorite, hiking, good views
Keep following this road out of town. It takes you to the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. You could do a tour now, or just wander around.
Don't miss Cabot Crafts. Most affordable knit goods you will likely find on your journey. It is the gift shop next to the lighthouse.
From here follow the road back into Bonavista.

Want to make a full day of it? Head out to Upper Amhearst Cove for a meal at The Bonavista Social Club and an amazing view of the bay while you dine.

Bonavista Social Club - Our Caterer's Restaurant

Steve, Dad & Virginia dined at Bonavista Social Club (about 10-15 min ride outside of Bonavista) this week and it is not to be missed. Amazing view, even more amazing food. Dad had house smoked pork belly on bed of house made pasta and house grown veggies with beans. Steve had the famous moose burger and Virginia had a brick oven pizza with house grown veggies! Sorry we were so into the food we missed the obligatory food pictures...oops. Oh, P.S. there are goats and lambs you can talk to! Also, Chef Katie's dad is a master woodworker, Mike Patterson, and you can see his workshop and gallery of furniture, dishes and more.

Suggested Packing List

Frank & Virginia have been up for a week or so now and we've found you want a variety of wardrobe choices throughout your average day. You can sweat and freeze all in the same day.

For those from Minnesota think early spring/late fall attire with some late spring clothes for the peak of the day.

-Camera
-Binoculors
-Warm jacket for evenings
-Windbreaker (it is very windy here)
-Tops to layer - short sleeves, long sleeves, you may enjoy a sweater for evenings
-Tennis Shoes (aka sneakers/running shoes)
-Comfortable footwear for walking - lots of great walking opportunities - St. John's is very hilly (like San Francisco) and Bonavista is relatively flat
-hiking boots if you plan to hike (sneakers are probably fine)
-sandals
-socks
-slippers
-you may want some light gloves/hat/scarf for evenings/windy days if you are prone to getting chilly
-warm pants – jeans, casual slacks, shorts
-sunscreen
-sun hat
-sunglasses
-Umbrella (though wind is strong) or raincoat
-swimsuit (yes it does get warm enough to swim...it's brisk but hey you can brag about being a tough guy and swimming in North Atlantic!)
-Wedding attire - something fancy and fun
-Pajamas

Official Schedule

Grooms Dinner BBQ 6/14/13 6 PM

WHO: YOU!!
WHAT: Casual Grooms Dinner BBQ (Supper for you Newfoundlanders)
WHERE: Park next to Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
WHEN: Friday, June 14, 2013, 6 PM for BBQ. If you head down before 5 (they close at 5) you can tour the lighthouse. With your extra time drive out by the dungeon natural attraction and join us for dinner.
WHY: To feed ya, to see the sites (one of the best views in town!) and to celebrate of course.
HOW: You will need a ride out unless you are an avid walker (probably 1 hour walk??)
SUGGESTED ATTIRE: It is very windy at Cape Bonavista. You will want to wear layers and probably happier in warmer attire, consider a windbreaker. This is a rustic environment and we are welcoming casual attire.

Wedding Ceremony 6/15/13 2 PM

WHO: You!
WHAT: Marriage of Steven Edmund Phillips to Virginia Elizabeth Berry
WHERE: Memorial United Methodist Church, Bonavista, Newfoundland
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 2013, 2 PM
WHY: To celebrate our union and check out our fancy clothes (and yours ;) )
HOW: If you are staying in town you can likely walk from your lodging. Fancy shoes? Park in the lot next to the church or across the street next to the Fisherman's Hall.
SUGGESTED ATTIRE: Fancy clothes, church clothes, your best. We're pulling out all the stops for this one and would love to see your best.

Wedding Reception 6/15/13 5 PM

WHO: You!
WHAT: Formal Wedding Reception with hors d'oeuvres, photo booth, art project guestbook and dinner (supper for the locals) catered by Bonavista Social Club followed by a fun dance!
WHERE: Fisherman's Hall, Bonavista, Newfoundland
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 2013, 5 PM
WHY: TO CELEBRATE! This event and our life together has been long in coming and we are hoping to have a big ol' party to celebrate this significant milestone!
HOW: Fisherman's Hall is directly across from the church so you can just park once and walk, or if you prefer move your car next to the Hall after the wedding.
SUGGESTED ATTIRE: Bring out your fancy pants, your classy dress, your favorite best. No need to change from the wedding. You may wish to have a comfy pair of shoes to change into and a warmer jacket to go home in as it gets cool in the evenings here.

Any questions? Contact us!

Tip for Using Your Credit & Debit Cards

Sometimes when you leave town and use your credit or debit card your bank freaks out, puts a freeze on it because they think someone stole it, and as a result you can't use it. SO...per recommendation of my banker...just call the 1-800 number on the back of your card before you go and they will put a note on your account on their end of where/when you will be traveling so you can always access your money.

Also, your bank will likely charge you an international transaction fee each time you use your card. You may wish to get Canadian currency at your bank prior to traveling. Or, when you withdraw from the ATM in Canada take out $200 -$400 at a time so you have fewer fees. Newfoundland is safe and you don't have to worry about pickpockets like you do in Europe. There are some beggars in St. John's however they are harmless and you can easily walk past them problem free or leave a coin per your inclination.

$10 for Season Pass = 1 Entry to many Historic Sites

When you visit one of the following historic sites in Newfoundland, it is highly recommended you purchase a $10 season pass if you intend to visit more than one historic site. It will save you loads of money on admission fees and gains you a single entry to all provincial historic sites during one season year. 

Sites include:

St. John's:

-The Commisariat

-Colonial Building

-Newman Wine Vaults

Avalon:

-Cupid's Cove Plantations

-Heart's Content Cable Station

Eastern: (Area around Bonavista)

-Trinity Historic Sites

-Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

-Mockbegger Plantation

Central:

-Beothuk Interpretation Centre

Labrador:

-Point Armour Lighthouse

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Also, there is a season pass that works all over Canada, the Discovery Pass. This annual pass gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy more than 100 National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across Canada that charge entry fees. Fees are as follows:

Family/Group* $136.40

Youth Individual (ages 6-16) $33.30

Adult Individual (ages 17-64) $67.70

Senior Individual (ages 65+) $ 57.90

* Family/Group: up to seven people arriving together in a single vehicle

First-class shipping is included in the prices above. Express shipping available. Prices include applicable taxes and are subject to change.

Participating sites in Newfoundland and Labrador include:

-Cape Spear 

-Castle Hill 

-Hawthorne Cottage 

-L'Anse aux Meadows 

-Port au Choix 

-Red Bay 

-Ryan Premises 

-Signal Hill

Renting a Car?

FYI Canada has a curious policy for drivers insured in the USA. We need to call our insurance provider to get a "Canadian insurance card". My experience has been it is super easy, they can even fax it to you if it is last minute. Small card that pretty much states you are insured by x insurance policy and just says Canada on it... weird I know.

U.S. driver’s licenses are valid for visitors in Canada. Proof of auto insurance is required. U.S. auto insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a tourist in Canada. U.S. insurance firms will issue a Canadian insurance card, which should be obtained and carried prior to driving into Canada. For specific information concerning Canadian driving permits, mandatory insurance and entry regulations, please contact the Canadian National Tourist Organization.