The Victoria Community Development Corporation
Day Tours

A visit to Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula would not be complete without a trip to the communities along the Baccalieu Trail. Visitors can explore sites dating from a 5000 year old Maritime Archaic Indian settlement, to settlements visited by Spanish, Portuguese, French and finally English fishermen. Only the English stayed as permanent residents to develop communities and a unique culture, some which were first settled before the time of Elizabeth I.

The Baccalieu Trail begins less than a hours drive from St. John's airport and only 45 minutes from the Argentina Ferry terminal. Travel along the Trans-Canada Highway and enter the Trail at Route 70 to the south shore of Trinity Bay or Route 80 along the north shore of Conception Bay. This loop will take you to such sites as the first official English settlement in Canada, one of the largest seabirds colonies in North America and the site of Newfoundland's 1898 Cod Hatchery.

Click on any of the following for sample pictures and site descriptions.

1. Heart's Content Cable Station - First successful trans-Atlantic Telegraph Cable landing.

2. Conception Bay North Museum - Pirate Peter Easton, Amelia Earhart, Fishing & Sealing.

3. Cupids Museum & Archeological Site - First official English settlement in Canada 1610.

4. Victoria Heritage Sawmill - Newfoundland's only full size water wheel driven sawmill.

5. Carbonear Railway Station Museum - Foreign going sailing Captains in 19th & 20th century.

6. Hawthorne Cottage - National Historic Site - former home of Arctic Explorer Capt. Bob Bartlett

7. Dildo Interpretation Center - 5000 years of settlement, whaling, fishing, sealing, cod hatchery.

8. Bay Roberts Cable Building - Museum of town as mercantile centre, WWII communications.

9. Winterton Boat Building Museum - demonstration of how in shore fishing boats were made.

10. Bay De Verde Heritage House - Typical home of outport fishing merchant. and Baccalieu Island Exhibit - One of the largest seabird colonies in North America.