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They say there are no accidental tourists in Newfoundland. You have to plan your trip to get here since there are no easy links to the Island. Ferries link a few key locations and they are the main entry point for visitors travelling by car or recreational vehicle. Marine Atlantic through its fleet of ferries is a main contact and the Newfoundland ports of entry are Port aux Basques and Argentia. Port aux Basques serves visitors wishing to explore the West Coast of Newfoundland, while Argentia is conveniently located for people visiting St. John’s and the Avalon Peninsula.

What’s with the alliterative names of Newfoundland and Labrador festivals?

Seeing puffins for the first time

If you’re a winter enthusiast, Newfoundland and Labrador is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure. With an annual snowfall of up to 16 feet, and the activity season running into March and April, there’s no shortage of winter fun. 

The Huxter family sets up camp in La Scie and sets out to explore the Baie Verte Peninsula.

The Huxter clan tests their skills at a Newfoundland tradition: catchin' capelin.

The Huxter's cool off at Splash N' Putt, Newfoundland and Labrador's version of Disney World.

Cross country skiing is a great way to get out and enjoy winter in Newfoundland. Cross country skiing is good exercise since both legs and arms get a workout and like its name suggests, you can cross country ski just about anywhere there is snow. But a popular option for many people is to visit a cross country ski facility. Many communities in the province have ski clubs where there are trails groomed specifically for cross country skiing.

We recently had a chance to check out some of the fine hiking trails in the King’s Point area of Central Newfoundland. King’s Point is located on highway 391 (take the Springdale turnoff from the Trans Canada Highway). These trails have a lot of variety and an interested hiker could easily spend a couple of days walking the 4 trails that we explored. Let’s start with the longest trail-the Alexander Murray Trail which is located virtually in King’s Point. This trail is 8 km long and climbs to a summit of about 1000 feet. Overall there are 2200 stairs so you will get a good workout!

On our most recent trip to this part of Central Newfoundland we stayed at the luxurious Riverwood Inn (http://www.riverwoodinn.ca/) which received the “Accommodator of the Year” award for 2011 from Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. It has a spectacular setting overlooking the Indian River and has walking trails that start right from its front door. When we asked Tracey Penney, the Inn’s manager about what to see in the local area she recommended checking out “glassy beach”, the local Springdale hiking trails and King’s Point pottery in King’s Point. 

On our most recent trip to Central Newfoundland we were focusing on seeing places and doing activities that we had not done before. We had been very impressed with the Barbour Living Heritage Village in Newtown and were blown away with the scenery, hiking and beaches on the Eastport Peninsula (see previous blogs). We then turned our attention to Terra Nova National Park (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nl/terranova/index.aspx) and decided to head to the Visitor’s Centre where the staff suggested doing the 3.5 km hike (1 way) to Buckley Cove.

Central Newfoundland is a huge area of scenic coastlines and large inland rivers. One place we have spent very little time is the Eastport Peninsula adjacent to Terra Nova National Park (TNNP). Our only other previous visit was restricted to a night of camping at Malady Head in TNNP many years ago so we decided that another visit was in order. So in early August, 2012 we arrived the Prints of Whales Bed and Breakfast (www.theprintsofwhalesinn.com) in Sandringham around 5:00 pm.

Over the past several years we have been making more trips to explore Central Newfoundland. Last year we enjoyed our first ever visit to Conne River and seeing other places on the Connaigre Peninsula along the south coast of the province. This year we decided to head to Newtown on the northeast coast with the specific goal of visiting the Barbour Living Heritage Village. Not only had we never been along this shore but the Barbour Living Heritage Village is also featured on the cover of this year’s Newfoundland tourism map and booklet.

The Salmonid Interpretation Centre is located just outside Grand Fall-Windsor on the Exploits River. The Exploits River is 246 km long making it the longest river on the island and it has a large salmon run. There is a fish ladder at the Salmonid Interpretation Centre which was built to help salmon bypass the falls on the Exploits River. Here they have an interpretation centre which features underwater viewing windows so that you can see the salmon swim past. Outside of the centre you can walk over grates that cover the fish ladder and you can watch salmon leap up over various obstacles.

On our most recent trip to Central Newfoundland, we decided to bring our golf clubs to check out the golf courses in Grand Falls and Gander. Over the past few years we have begun to make more trips to Central Newfoundland since we have realized it has much more to offer than you might think. Our first stop was the Grand Falls golf course which is conveniently located right on the Trans Canada Highway just outside of town.

The Central Newfoundland whale pavilions, a truly beautiful place, revealing the absolute beauty of our back yard mammals. With twenty-two different species of whales living in our waters, the Central Newfoundland whale pavilions in Triton and Kings Point take full advantage of what nature has brought to our shores. The Huxter family takes a quick dive into what is offered and takes time to investigate the marvelous creatures.

On a still evening in Central Newfoundland, upon the beaches of Little Bay, these tiny fish paid a visit to the shores. Patience, speed and laughter; all key components in the act of "catchin' capelin". Watch and see the excitement and joy that these tiny creatures can bring to young and old alike.

The Alexander Murray Hiking Trail in King's Point is 9 kilometers long and features both ground terrain and board walk. There are 2,200 stairs going up to, and down from, the summit, which are a great help when traversing the inclines.

Join Jennifer Murphy on a trip of a lifetime down the mighty Exploits River in Central Newfoundland.

We headed out towards the Eastport Peninsula just past noon. Bordering Terra Nova National Park, the drive out towards the small communities is very scenic! Lush forests and glimps of the bay areas greeted us along the coast line of the peninsula.