NEWFOUNDLAND 2025
Twillingate
Today was mostly a driving day, ending up in the small town of of Twillingate, one of the northernmost towns in the middle of the island. This area is actually a series of highway connected Islands including New World Island and Twillingate.
As you come into Twillingate, you cross a bridge and pass the Prime Berth Fishing Museum, I am told that Captain Dave here may be the only person that is still doing boat tours... it's closed. Just as we are pulling out of the parking lot, he pulls in. After some inquiries he tells us nothing is really going out now, but I can call him in the morning.
The place we are staying in here is a historic saltbox home from 1905, it is called Stockley's Saltbox. A traditional house of the day, a style brought over by early english settlers and adapted to Newfoundlands climate. The Saltbox distinctive steep roof and narrow footprint made it practical to build on rugged terrain, and with low ceilings on the second floor to trap warmth from the wood stove, it was efficient to heat. It was built by a merchant sailor, who lived in the house with his wife, parents and nine kids.
After getting settled in, we took a walk along the seashore to find a restaurant for dinner.
Apparently there is lots of trails around here, but finding a restaurant that is open is a little tougher.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a Pizza/Thai place, a tiny little building with a flashing OPEN sign. We asked about other places and he said the only thing open at this time of year is his place, Robin's Donuts, Mary Browns Chicken, and some Chinese place. He was pushing the Pad Thai, but we both got pizza and did the long walk back to our place, past all the closed shops.
The only moose we have seen so far
The best way to describe Twillingate... "Closed for the Season"
But at least we have some pizza, and can watch the Blue Jays demolish the Yankees 13-7 in
the comfort of our little Living Room.
The next morning I am about to phone Captain Dave, and he has left a message... He already went out on his fishing boat, but we can come by the museum later and see him clean some cod. Thanks, but no thanks.
Perhaps the 2 most popular restaurants in all of Newfoundland are Robin's Donuts and Mary Brown's Chicken, and they have both here in Twillingate, the only restaurants that are open. So we head to Robin's for breakfast before exploring the area, they actually make a pretty good breakfast at a decent price..
Our first stop is due North, the Long Point Light Station, built in 1876. The Light Station is located on a prominent headland at the entrance to Notre Dame Bay from where it provides an open view of the islands that dot this section of coast. More than 300 feet above sea level, this is a lookout point where thousands of visitors every year enjoy the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean with the possibility of seeing whales, seals and sea birds/puffins, or viewing icebergs in the spring and early summer. We saw some birds, but it's the wrong time of year for everything else, including lots of other tourists.
The views are stunning here, and you can imagine what it would be like to see Icebergs floating past.
The town of Crow Head, and the Crow Head lookout are quite cute.
From Crow Head we made our way to South Twillingate Island and a little hike to French Beach. Some parts of the trail were a little damp, but it was well worth it, for having the pebble beach all to ourselves.
Further down the coastline is an area known to have a natural arch and some great views.
As we are following the trail, what at first we think is a rat or a squirrel comes marching straight up the trail towards us. We were a little concerned he might try to climb on us, but this cute little mink just wanders past, not paying any attention to us. He stops to check out under a rock, and then continues on his way. It's not a moose, but I have never seen a wild mink before.
The trail markers aren't exactly detailed, so when we saw this beach area with broken rocks, we figured the arch collapsed and that was it. Norine decided we should check out these steps and she was right, just a little further down the path was the arch and some great views.
The areas around here have some of the best names, Pike's Arm and Toogood Arm, Come by Chance, Heart's Content, Spread Eagle, Naked City, Cuckold's Cove, Nanny's Hole, Random Island, Tickle Pond, Bald Nap Pond, and Tumbledown Dick Island, just to name a few. We haven't even got to the best named town yet.
Our next hike took us to New World Island and Pike's Arm Lookout. It's a little steep with stairs in many sections, but this area has little camping pads, somewhat decent bathrooms and sheds for locking up your gear and supplies.
The views over the harbours below are amazing, could you imagine having your tent setup on one of these little platforms and looking out at that view for the sunrise?
We stopped back in town and checked out one of the little shops that was open, before grabbing a snack at Mary Brown's Chicken (also open), then headed back to our place to have leftover pizza.
It was a great day exploring the Twillingate and New World Islands of Newfoundland. Everything is closed for the season, but you can't close Mother Nature. Tomorrow we would start heading towards the East Coast, hopefully more is open there.