Tales of Avalon in Newfoundland
The Avalon Peninsula, an expansive peninsula (10,360 sq km) makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland. The region is connected to the main part of the island by the 5 km (3 mile) wide Isthmus of Avalon. The peninsula, with its irregular shape, extends out into the Atlantic. The peninsula stretches 180 kilometers from north to south and spans almost 100 kilometers from east to west.
It is believed that over 400,000,000 years ago, Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, drifted westward and away from the European continent. Its four major bays — Trinity Bay, Conception Bay, St. Mary's Bay, and Placentia Bay — have always been associated with the fishing industry. The peninsula is home to 248,418 people (almost 50% of Newfoundland's population).
The Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador has the best of both worlds. This picturesque area includes St. John’s and the city of Mount Pearl as well as quaint and serene Newfoundland rural communities. Any point on this peninsula is only a few hours (or less) drive from St. John’s. Visitors can enjoy the complete ‘Newfoundland experience’ on the Avalon Peninsula. Tourists will be close to all the events in ‘town’ (the local name for St. John’s).
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Everyone enjoys the St. John’s Regatta (held on the first Wednesday of August - if the weather is suitable) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival held on the weekend following the Regatta. For city nightlife, wherever tourists are on the Avalon Peninsula, they will not be that far from the famous George Street with the most pubs and bars per square foot of any street in North America.
Of course, whatever community you are visiting on the Avalon Peninsula, you do not have to worry about evening entertainment. Kitchen parties are the norm and there is always a fiddle and accordion near - even for a campfire and sing-along under the stars.
The Avalon Peninsula has scenic views, lots of activities and events, and countless attractions. The Salmonier Nature Park is always a hit with children and adults.
The Colony of the Avalon, an archaeological dig at Ferryland, delves deep into the 17th century history of the area. This Ferryland dig is unearthing one of the earliest colonies in North America. Visitors can walk on a 17th–century street or explore a 17th–century herb garden.
Communities
The Avalon Peninsula includes numerous communities such as Witless Bay, Brigus, Placentia, and many more interesting places.
- Witless Bay
Witless Bay is often referred to as the ‘Irish Heart of Newfoundland’ because of its Irish roots. This charming Southern Shore community has the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North America and the second largest Leach Storm Petrel colony in the world. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve includes four islands (Gull, Green, Great, and Pee Pee) that serve as home to thousands of sea birds. Witless Bay, just a 30-minute drive south from St. John’s, has various boat tour operators who bring tourists out to see puffins, whales, and icebergs.
- Brigus
Brigus, a historic seaside community dating back to the 1600s, is just a one-hour drive from St. John’s. Brigus was the birthplace of Captain Bob Bartlett, a Newfoundland Arctic explorer, who went north with Admiral Peary. Today Bartlett’s home, Hawthorne Cottage, is a National Historic Site.
During 2010, the community will be especially in celebration mode as its next-door neighbor, Cupids, will be celebrating Cupids 400 (its 400th anniversary). Of course, Brigus is big on fun all the time. Every year, this Conception Bay community celebrates the Brigus Blueberry Festival. The 2010 event (August 12-August 15) will be the 23rd annual festival. The activities include everything from a ‘fish and brewis’ (a Newfoundland dish of cod and hard tack (type of hard bread)) breakfast to a pie-eating contest to a ‘Missed’ Blueberry Pageant.
- Placentia
Placentia is the old French capital of Newfoundland. The remains of a 17th century fortress can still be seen in Placentia at Castle Hill – a National Historic Site. The town is located near the Marine Atlantic Terminal in Argentia and the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve.
The Capes
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- Cape Spear
Cape Spear is a National Historic Site. Just a few minutes from St. John’s, Cape Spear is the most easterly point in North America. Tourists come from everywhere in the world to stand on this significant spot. Remember, however, that the safety warnings at the site must be minded at all times. Do not go beyond the points suggested by the signs. The ocean waves can be dangerous and, sadly, more than one person has lost their lives in this manner.
Visitors can explore the Cape Spear lighthouse which has been restored to 1840s style. Tour guides are available to help tourists learn more about the history of the cape. As well, a gift shop is onsite.
- Cape St. Mary’s
Cape St. Mary’s, a Newfoundland ecological reserve, is on the southwestern tip the Avalon Peninsula. ‘The Cape’ is one of the best places in the world to see nesting sea birds. During the breeding season, Cape St. Mary’s is home to 24,000 Northern gannet, 20,000 black-legged kittiwake, 20,000 common murre, and 2,000 thick-billed murre.
As well, more than 100 pairs of razorbill, 60 pairs of black guillemot, double-crested and great cormorant, and Northern fulmar nest at this site. All the birds can be seen from land – as close as ten meters to shore. With advanced booking, guided tours are available from May to late September or early October. For information, telephone: (709) 277-1666.
- Cape Race
Cape Race and its lighthouse (a National Historic Site) display a rugged beauty that fascinates every visitor. As well, Cape Race has a history which is equally as fascinating on more than one front. In 1909, Newfoundland’s first wireless communication station was built at Cape Race. Due to the Marconi Station, Cape Race became a centre for reporting news around the world. In 1910, the New York Associated Press had an office at Cape Race to relay their news stories from Britain to New York.
During World War 1 and World War 11, the allies used Cape Race to receive and intercept messages from up to 400 miles off shore. Vessels would contact Cape Race and proceed to drop mail (and the news of the war) off its shores. As well, Cape Race has a connection to the Titanic disaster. Robert Huntson, the operator of the Cape Race station at the time, received a distress message from the Titanic shortly before the ship met its tragic fate.
Cape Race played a major role in the history of Newfoundland and the world. Other areas of the Avalon Peninsula also played their part in history. The Avalon Peninsula has a rich and varied past.
A Place in History
- St. John’s
In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic signal on top of Signal Hill. Visitors to St. John’s always travel up to Signal Hill. Besides its place in telecommunications history, Signal Hill is known for its amazing view as well as the Signal Hill Tattoo – an award-winning historical recreation. As well, in 1919, Alcock and Brown made history in St. John’s when they took off from Lester’s Field on the first non-stop air crossing of the Atlantic.
- Trepassey
In 1928, a transatlantic flight left Trepassey with William S. Stultz and Lou Gordon, and passenger Amelia Earhart, who became the first woman to fly the Atlantic. In 1932, she piloted her solo trans-Atlantic flight from Harbour Grace. The Trepassey Museum has artifacts about Amelia Earhart’s visit as well as items related to shipwrecks and other local history.
Ecological Reserve
- Mistaken Point
Mistaken Point, an ecological reserve in southeastern Newfoundland, has global significance. Mistaken Point has unique fossils - the oldest complex life forms found anywhere on earth. Known to scientists as the Ediacara biota, these creatures lived between 542 and 575 million years ago.
In 1984, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve was established as a Provisional Reserve. The site received permanent designation in 1987. An extension to the west was added in 2003, and again in 2007, to include newly-discovered fossils.
In 2009, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve was expanded to give permanent protection to the new fossil sites. For more information about guided tours (late May-early October) within Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, call a Reserve Interpreter at Portugal South (709-438-1100).
