hiSToricAL highLighTS
As you drive up Route 430 on the Viking
Trail, it will become evident that history is
not only alive and well, but downright
fascinating in this region. For example, the
remains of four ancient cultures have
been found at Port au Choix National
Historic Site (www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/
nl/portauchoix/index.aspx). You can
immerse yourself in these ancient cul-
tures by taking part in a plethora of activi-
ties from meeting an Inuit throat singer
to tasting seal meat or joining archaeolo-
gists on a dig.
Further north, just before you come
into St. Anthony, veer off onto Route 437.
A short drive will take you to the world-
renowned L'Anse aux Meadows National
Historic Site of Canada where the
remains of numerous dwellings and arte-
facts of Norse origin were discovered
in the 1960s (www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/
nl/meadows/index.aspx). It's hard to
believe that the Vikings were here five
centuries before any other Europeans
arrived in North America! Close by is
Norstead, a Viking port of trade and home
to a replica of the infamous Viking ship
Snorri (
www.norstead.com). Costumed
interpreters at both sites demonstrate
what life was like 1000 years ago. Get
ready for some great storytelling. For a
side trip, consider taking a boat over to
Quirpon Lighthouse Inn located on
Newfoundland's northernmost tip (www.
linkumtours.com).
Back on shore in St. Anthony (www.
town.stanthony.nf.ca) you'll discover
the legacy of Sir Wilfred Thomason
Grenfell. Grenfell not only contributed to
the lives of Newfoundlanders by provid-
ing hospitals and health care in the
1890s and early 1900s, he also started
co-operatives and set up the means for
locals to make and sell world-famous
"Grenfell rugs"—still produced today.
Grenfell Historic Properties include: the
Grenfell House Museum, Tea House Hill,
and the Grenfell Interpretation Centre
(www.grenfell-properties.com).
oUTdoor AdVEnTUrE
Western Newfoundland has some of the
best guides and award-winning outdoor
adventure outfitters in Canada. For exam-
ple, Northland Discovery Boat Tours has a
thrilling two-and-a-half-hour trip close to
St. Anthony, an area noted not only for
icebergs and whales, but also for sea-
birds and unusual cave formations (www.
discovernorthland.com).
If you're an active sports enthusiast,
and yearn to take a memorable hunting,
fishing, canoeing or snowmobile expedi-
tion, head to Tuckamore Lodge in Main
Brook. Aside from being in an exquisite
setting, the dining experience here is
Newfoundland gourmet all the way.
(www.tuckamorelodge.com).
Slipping a little further south on
Route 433 to Roddickton is the Mayflower
Inn & Adventures (www.mayflowerad
ventures.com). Picture yourself fishing
100 metres from the only known place in
the world where Atlantic salmon swim
through an underground river cave to get
to their spawning grounds. This extraordi-
nary site was voted No. 2 of the Seven
Wonders of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Western Newfoundland provides
memories in the making. By the time you
leave, you'll be planning your return.
gETTing ThErE
Sail on a Marine Atlantic ferry from Sydney,
NS to Port aux Basques, NL (www.
marine-atlantic.ca). If you are coming via
Québec or Labrador, board the ferry from
Blanc Sablon to St. Barbe (www.tw.gov.
nl.ca/ferryservices/index.html). Prefer
to fly? Deer Lake Regional Airport is only
34 miles (55 km) from Corner Brook
(www.deerlakeairport.com).
SALMON FISHERMEN • WAYNE EDWARDS
ROSE BLANCHE LIGHTHOUSE • NL TOURISM/HANS G. PFAFF
162 2012 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA
NewfouNdlaNd & labrador
