Trinity Bight Fall 2023 Food, Shopping & Activities Guides

Planning A Fall Trip?

The fall is a beautiful time to visit Trinity and the Bonavista Peninsula, but sometimes it can be unclear as to what is open. There are still plenty of activities and dining options in Trinity and the communities of Trinity Bight for our guests to enjoy.

What is Trinity Bight you ask?

Trinity Bight is a large area of the Northwestern portion of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The bight contains the communities of New Bonaventure, Old Bonaventure, Trouty, Dunfield, Goose Cove, Trinity, Lockston, Trinity East, Port Rexton, Champney’s Arm, Champney’s West, Champney’s East, and English Harbour. The Bight is just south of Port Union, Elliston & Bonavista. While this list does not include operating hours for businesses outside of Trinity Bight, our team will help you at check-in understand what will be available to you in those areas should you explore beyond The Bight.

The Artisan Inn's colourful waterside houses. — Artisan Inn & Vacation Homes

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR

PRINTABLE SEPTEMBER GUIDES

NOTE: These guides were created with information provided to us by various business owners. Some may decide to change their operating dates and hours based on volume of guests or staffing. We always encourage individuals to make reservations when possible and to double check that the information remains correct. Should any business in the Trinity Bight Area wish to contact us with information about their hours or to be added to or removed from the list, please reach out via email.

October Dining Guide Trinity Bight on the Bonavista Peninsula

Includes operating dates and times for:
Twine Loft (open until October 15th 2023) , Dock Marina, The Galley, Fisher’s Loft, Brightside Bistro, Port Rexton Brewery, Oh My Cheeses, Trinity Cabins, Two Whales Coffee Shop, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolates,

Fall 2023 Guide: Places to Shop Around Trinity on the Bonavista Peninsula

Includes operating dates and times for:
Twine Loft, Eriksen Premises, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate, Lester Garland Building, Trinity Crafts, Two Whales Coffee Shop, Port Rexton Brewery, Shoreline Treasures, Sea of Whales.

Note all shops or businesses with shopping sections with the exception of Eriksen Premises are expected to be operating in October to some capacity. More details to come

Fall 2023 Guide: Shop, Eat, Do: Operating Days & Hours Bonavista, Elliston & Port Union

Includes operating dates and times for:
The Harbour Side Cafe, Union House Arts, Home from the Sea, Barbera Houston Art Studio, Ryan Premises, Mock Begger Plantation, Matthew Legacy Centre, East Coast Glow, Artistry on Church, Kind Seas Jewlery, Ragged Rock, Bicycle Picnics, Quintal Cafe

Special Events

Trinity: Fort to Forge 10km race – September 23, 2023

Quintessential Vocal Ensemble Performance in Trinity October, 1st 3pm 2023

Trinity Fall Shopping Festival: October 13-15th 2023
(Various shops will open and offer special end of season savings)

Relax with an Evening Meal at the Twine Loft

Tour the Town with Trinity Historical Walking Tours

Explore the Coastline with Sea of Whales Adventures

Treat Yourself to Locally Crafted Chocolate & Ice Cream

Geological Wonders

High rocky cliffs in Newfoundland — Marieke Gow Photography

This list is a selection of stunning locations you may wish to visit as you travel throughout the area. For more details and other suggested locations, consider downloading the Bonavista Geological Tour app.

ROUTE 230

Skerwink Trail near Trinity, Newfoundland — Marieke Gow Photography

PORT REXTON

10 Minutes from Trinity

Skerwink Trail Sea Stacks

Located shortly after Skerwink trail turns from the old railway bed to the cut out coastal trail, the sea stacks can be viewed early in the walk and still enjoyed by those who do not wish to walk the entire trail.

BONAVISTA

45 Minutes from Trinity

The Dungeon Provincial Park

Visit the park to stand above a collapsed sea cave with natural archways as the rough ocean waves crash in and flow out of the cave. There are many horses and cows grazing in this area.

PORT UNION

25 Minutes from Trinity

Fossils

Head to the Factory Historic Building in Port Union. In front of the building is a boardwalk with a set of steps leading down to rocks and water. During low tide, you can walk out to see various fossils embedded in the rocks.

CBC: N.L. fossil shows earliest evidence ever of animals with muscles

ROUTE 238

ELLISTON

55 Minutes from Trinity

Root Cellars

Built from the naturally occurring rocks in the area and dug out from the hillsides, Root Cellars have put Elliston on the world map as the “Root Cellar Capital of the World.” Root cellars look somewhat like hobbit holes and various styles can be found in the area. We recommend driving past the puffin viewing site in Elliston onto Circular Rd in Maberly to view the best selection.

Large Sandy Beach in Elliston — Marieke Gow Photography

Elliston Beach

The only Sandy Beach on the Bonavista Peninsula is located on the way to the Puffin Viewing Site.

SPILLAR’S COVE / CABLE JOHN COVE

49 Minutes from Trinity

Sea Stack

This area is a hidden gem. Just a few minutes by foot from the road, or accessible from the south by the Klondike Trail, Spillar’s Cove offers a landscape, largely barren of trees, with dramatic cliffs and an impressive sea stack.

ROUTE 235

Tickle Cove Sea Arch – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

TICKLE COVE

40 Minutes from Trinity

The Sea Arch

This area of the Bonavista Peninsula is predominantly formed from slate. The cliffs jutting out of the ocean are pinkish purple rather than the grey you see in most areas on Eastern Newfoundland. The sea arch is located off a small road just before the community boat slipway. People often miss it. Our advice is when you overshoot it and find yourself at the end of a road looking at a rock painted like a quilt is laid upon it, turn around, see the slipway and you will notice a narrow road past it heading right. Following this road. You should see a small sign that says “Sea Arch”. We recommend walking past the viewing platform to the top of the cliffs for a great view.

KEELS

60 Minutes from Trinity

The Devil’s footprints

In Keels, take a look at a geological phenomenon known as “The Devil’s Footprints”, pockets in the rocks, which, according to local folklore, are proof that the Devil walks this land at night. Keels itself is a beautiful community to stroll around and indulge one’s passion for photography.

KING’S COVE

45 Minutes from Trinity

Brooks Point

This stunning cliff is located on the Lighthouse Trail in King’s Cove. It is an easy grade walk and you can access this lookout point after 25 minutes or so of walking.

BONAVISTA PENINSULA HIKING TRAILS

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Bonavista Peninsula Activities

Humpback Whale — Paul Dolk Photography: This photo can be purchased from Paul’s Website

There are many places to visit on the island of Newfoundland, however, few places have the density and diversity of experiences that Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula offers. Trinity is ideally situated for exploring surrounding communities for half-day and full day trips including Port Rexton, Port Union, Elliston, Bonavista, New Bonaventure, Upper Amherst Cove and more. Use this section to plan your trips and activities while staying in one of the Artisan Inn’s rooms or vacation homes in Trinity.

Performing and Fine Arts

TRINITY

The Bonavista Peninsula is a place where music, theatre and art are sewn into the fabric of our being. Here are just a few options for where to take in quality art or experience musical or theatrical performances on the Bonavista Peninsula. Many businesses and not-for-profits announce artistic events throughout the summer season. If you are interested in what is going on be sure to ask us when you register.

RISING TIDE THEATRE

There is so much to be said about Rising Tide Theatre located in Trinity that we have created its own page under our Explore Trinity. 2018 marks the 40th year anniversary of the Theatre Company. Its director, Donna Butt, has received the order of Canada for her contribution to the arts in Canada.

Visit our Rising Tide Page to learn about

RISING TIDE SEASONS IN THE BIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL: EVERY NIGHT JUNE – LATE SEPT

RISING TIDE NEWFOUNDLAND TRINITY PAGEANT: WED & SAT JULY-LABOUR DAY

RISING TIDE DINNER THEATRE: WED & SAT JULY-LABOUR DAY

ST. PAUL’S SUMMER CONERT SERIES

Come experience the exceptional beauty and incredible acoustics of St. Paul’s.

Admission: By donation, to be used for maintenance of the church

Upcoming Concert Dates: Wednesday July 7 – 7:00pm – The Scallywags (bluegrass, country / NFLD)

Wednesday July 31st – 7:00pm – Maureen and Friends: A Celebration of Newfoundland Music

Sunday August 4th – 7:30pm – The Ennis Sisters

TWINE LOFT ART EXHIBITS

The Twine Loft uses its walls to exhibit original Newfoundland art and a majority of the pieces are for sale. If you are not a guest of the inn or dining with us, you are welcome to come look at the art between 10am and 5:30pm when meal services are not taking place.

View our Art Exhibits page under our Restaurant section to learn more about featured artists.

PORT REXTON

10 Minutes from Trinity

TWO WHALES COFFEE SHOP

The Two Whales Coffee Shop doubles as a vegetarian restaurant and gallery space, featuring multiple exhibits, often of Newfoundland artists, throughout their operating season. They also host musical performances multiple times a month. To find out which artists are being featured or concert schedules, visit their website.

Two Whales Website

FISHER’S LOFT CONFERENCE CENTRE

The Fisher’s Loft Conference centre often hosts art exhibits in the main conference room. On occasional evenings throughout the summer authors host book readings.

Fisher’s Loft Website

ENGLISH HARBOUR

19 minutes from Trinity

ENGLISH HARBOUR ARTS CENTRE

The English Harbour Arts Centre is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the promotion of artistic and cultural education and the preservation of historic and cultural spaces. They are committed to operating an economically self-sustaining institution for the arts that provides learning opportunities for people of all ages and levels of artistic experience. Their multidisciplinary program includes art holidays, workshops, residencies, community outreach, special projects and public events. The English Harbour Arts Centre hosts various performances by some of Newfoundland’s most celebrated musicians including The Once, The Fortunate Ones, Matthew Byrne, The Ennis Sisters and many more.

Additional Links

English Harbour Arts Centre Website

PORT UNION

30 Minutes from Trinity

UNION HOUSE ARTS

Art Gallery, Workshops, Screening Room, Artist Residencies, Community Events

Union House Arts (UHA) is a new community artspace operated through the Sir William F. Coaker Heritage Foundation. UHA is committed to supporting work being produced by artists and craftspeople in Newfoundland and Labrador through place-specific dialogues and collaborative programming in Port Union.

Summer hours are 11-5 Thursday – Monday, until the Biennale starts August 17th. Then the schedule changes to 10am-5pm daily.

Union House Arts Website

BONAVISTA

45 minutes from Trinity

THE GARRICK THEATRE

The Garrick is a multi-use, 200-seat theatre and meeting space in the Town of Bonavista. Owned and operated by the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation, this year-round cultural facility offers comfortable theatre seating, state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment including full digital cinema, and exceptional acoustics. At The Garrick you can find the best in performing arts and film.

Additional Links

The Garrick Theatre

For more information on Artisan Craft visit our page

SHOP LOCALLY MADE

For directions to these locations visit

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Whale and Iceberg Tours

Trinity Bay and Bonavista Bay serve as nature’s playground during the Spring and Summer months in Newfoundland.

Twenty-two species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises swim the waters along the coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador during the months of May to August. The Bonavista Peninsula is a perfect location to see and appreciate these magnificent creatures of the sea.

Some species spotted in Trinity Bay and Bonavista Bay include: Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Minke Whales, Pothead Whales and Killer Whales (Orcas). White-sided dolphins and Bluefin Tuna are frequently spotted during the Fall.

Boat tours also provide the opportunity to see the many majestic icebergs floating past Trinity during Spring and early Summer. The prime time to see icebergs is between late May and late June.

Finally, the Peninsula’s unique geological features offer an added bonus on every trip.

A whale shows off during a tour with Sea of Whales Adventures — Marieke Gow Photography

Those who come to visit during the month of June and early July are sometimes lucky enough to spot icebergs, whales and various sea birds, including: the Atlantic Puffin and Bald Eagles all at once!

To see daily records of whale sightings in our area CLICK HERE.

The two communities that offer boat tours with the focus of seeing wildlife are Trinity and Bonavista.

TRINITY

Three boat tours are located within walking distance of the Artisan Inn

Sea of Whales Adventure

Vessel Type: Zodiac
Phone: 1-709-464-2200
Address: 1 Ash’s Lane
Walking Distance from the Twine Loft: 2 minutes

Atlantic Adventures

Vessel Type: Trawller sailer
Phone: 1-709-464-2133
Address: 1 Dock Lane
Walking distance from the Twine Loft: 6 minutes

Trinity Eco Tours

Vessel Type: Zodiac
Phone: 1-709-464-3712
Address: 1 Stoneman’s Lane
Walking distance from the Twine Loft: 4 minutes

BONAVISTA

Discovery Sea Adventures

Vessel Type: Fast Rescue Craft
Phone: 1-709-470-0322
Address: Roper Street, Bonavista NL
Located in the parking lot of the Matthew Legacy site

Bonavista Puffin and Whale Tours

Vessel Type: Larger vessel type with indoor and outdoor seating and a washroom on board
Phone: 1-709-468-8438
Address: 15 Roper Street, Bonavista NL
Located in the parking lot of the Matthew Legacy site.

Places to Whale Watch From Land in Trinity Bight

While boat tours offer a first class whale watching experience, getting you up close and personal with wildlife, not everyone has the greatest sea legs. We can never guarantee a whale sighting, however, we can tell you where the locals often go to watch Humpbacks feeding once they have arrived for the season. Our staff receive updates from local boat tours and summer residents when pods are feeding close to shore in certain area’s. We do our best to communicate anything exciting that we are aware of when we register guests at the inn or during morning breakfast.

Fort Point Lighthouse and Beach

We recommend getting a lunch to go from Trinity Mercantile Coffee Shop and heading to Fort Point Lighthouse for a picnic. Whales are often seen feeding during the month of July just off the point’s beach.

Driving Distance from Trinity: 19 Minutes

English Harbour / Horse Chops

Cliffs of English Harbour — Located 19 minutes from the Artisan Inn

This is the area many locals go to watch whales from the cliffs. The beach in English Harbour is also a popular spot to watch the capelin when they start to roll. locals are often seen here with buckets to harvest the small silver fish for a meal.

Driving Distance from Trinity: 19 Minutes

Skerwink Trail, Trinity East/Port Rexton

Whales often feed below the cliffs, offering hikers a bird’s eye view. One cannot drive up to these spots, but instead, must hike the outer trail for the best vantage points.

Driving distance from Trinity: 13 minutes

Please note that whales are wild animals and their feeding times and locations can never be guaranteed.

Find Driving Directions to all communities mentioned

COMMUNITIES AND DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Hiking and Walking on the Bonavista Peninsula

The Bonavista Peninsula is a hikers paradise. The Artisan Inn in Trinity can serve as an excellent home base for those who wish to explore the various hikes and walks along the Discovery Trail. With a variety of coastal and inland trails, rated from easy to difficult, there is something for both walkers and hikers. Spend the day hiking, return to comfortable accommodations and curl up in a blanket with a glass of wine on our front deck while resting your feet! Hand carved, wooden hiking sticks are available for Artisan Inn guests who do not wish to travel with their own.

Maps of each hiking Trail can be found on the Hike Discovery Travel App

TRINITY – UPPER & LOWER GUN HILL TRAIL

Located in Trinity, starting behind the Royal Bank or the Rising Tide Theatre

Easy (very top can be difficult)

Approx. 2 km Loop, 0.75 km to the Top, 45 Minutes – 1 Hour return

To Learn more about this trail visit the Gun Hill Page on the Explore Trinity section of our website

PORT REXTON – SKERWINK TRAIL

Located 10 minutes from Trinity

Moderate – Difficult

5.3 km Loop, 1.5 – 2 Hours

The Experience

Just minutes from Trinity, in Trinity East, Skerwink has been selected as one of Travel and Leisure magazine’s “25 Great Walks in North America and Europe” (May 2009).

The trail is rated Moderate and takes approximately 2 hours to complete (longer if you are passionate about photography) and is a 5.3km coastal loop. At certain locations hikers may feel as though they are standing at the edge of the world. Steeper sections of the trail have been lined with stairs and board walks cover any boggy sections. Many lookouts have been built with benches allowing visitors to stop and enjoy the view.

Moose, foxes, bald eagles, whales, seabirds and icebergs are often spotted.

Directions from Trinity

Leave the town of Trinity

Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230

Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista

Turn Right towards Trinity East after large yellow gas station in Port Rexton

Drive approx 5 minutes, pass one church, then arrive at a parking lot across from a second church. A large sign with the map of the Skerwink Trail will be to your your left.

Additional Links

Skerwink Trail: Hike Discovery Site & Map Link

In the Press: Hike Bike Travel

CHAMPNEY’S WEST – FOX ISLAND TRAIL

Located 15 minutes from Trinity

Easy – Moderate

5.5km Loop, Approx. 2 Hours

The Experience

The trail displays the beautiful coastal scenery, views of the surrounding communities and local wildlife, then finishes with a walk through the fishing village of Champney’s West. Take the time to walk down and view the fishing stages and maybe get your opportunity to chat to a local resident.

Directions from Trinity

Leave the town of Trinity

Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230

Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista

Drive past Port Rexton and turn Right onto Route 230-17 to Champney’s West

The trail parking lot is located on the right, 2km from the turn off and across from the old cemetery.

Additional Links:

Fox Island Trail: The Hike Discovery Website and Trail Maps

Trip Advisor Reviews

PORT UNION – MURPHY’S COVE TRAIL

Located 28 minutes from Trinity

Moderate

7.7km Loop, Approx. 3 Hours

The Experience

This coastal loop trail will take you through the abandoned community of Murphy’s Cove and overlooks the Green Island Lighthouse. This looped trail has a variety of headlands that provide viewing platforms where surrounding communities, whales, seabirds and fishing vessels can be photographed. The halfway point provides a lookout where users can view the Green Island Lighthouse, one of the last remaining manned lighthouses in the province. The trail follows the coastline offering great photo opportunities.

Directions from Trinity

Leave the town of Trinity

Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230

Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista

Drive 30 minutes to Port Union and turn Right onto Reid’s Road

Follow the blue hiker sign. The entrance of the Trail is located next to St Catherine’s Haven retirement home.

Additional Links

Murphy’s Cove: The Hike Discovery Website & Trail Maps

Trip Advisor Reviews

BONAVISTA – CAPE SHORE TRAIL

Located 1 Hour from Trinity

Gentle

3.5 Kilometers, Approx. 1 Hour each way

The Experience

A 3.5 km trail along the coastline that runs parallel to the main road from the Town of Bonavista to Cape Bonavista. This trail provides one with a spectacular view of Bonavista Bay as you enjoy a leisurely walk on a marked trail to the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. Along this route you can enjoy the rugged coast line while watching for birds and whales (in season). Stop for a picnic along the trail or at the John Cabot Municipal Park.

Directions from Trinity

Leave the town of Trinity

Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230

Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista

Once in Bonavista, follow Confederation Drive (route 230) until you see the Right hand turn onto Cape Shore Road

Continue on Cape Shore Road until you pass the Ocean View Cabins where a parking lot will be on your right

ELLISTON / BONAVISTA – KLONDIKE TRAIL

Located 45 to 50 minutes from Trinity

Gentle – Moderate

3km, 45 minutes each way

The Experience

Located on the northern section of Elliston, it was regularly used years ago as a horse and cart trail, leading from Elliston to the community of Spillar’s Cove. This walk takes you from forest to wetlands, heathlands to sea. Learn about the plants and animals inhabiting our area while looking for our provincial bird, the puffin. You may also see whales, kittiwakes and other sea life as well as spectacular coastal scenery. This area was initially called Bird Island Cove and offers hikers spectacular oceanfront scenery with plenty of seabirds and wildlife along the way. – Text courtesy of Hike Discovery.

Directions from Trinity

Leave the town of Trinity

Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230

Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista

Spillar’s Cove end(Most of the Klondike trail is inland, so we suggest driving to the Spillar’s Cove end and exploring the northern section of the trail)

Drive to the Town of Bonavista

You will reach an intersection with a large green highway sign indicating Elliston and Spillar’s Cove to your right, Turn Right

Keep Left towards Spillar’s Cove at the intersection of Spillar’s Cove Road and Route 238 to Elliston
(You can also Turn Right onto Route 238 to Elliston, then turn Left onto Main Street in Elliston to access the Elliston end of the trail)

Drive through the village of Spillar’s Cove until you reach the end of the paved road, the trail begins here

Elliston end

Drive 35 – 40 mins on Route 230, then turn Right on Route 238 to Elliston

Turn Left at the John C. Crosbie Sealer’s Interpretation Centre in Elliston

Turn Right onto Main Street

Follow signage to the trail head

Additional Links

Trip Advisor reviews

Klondike Trail: The Hike Discovery Website and Trail Maps

ROUTE 235 – KING’S COVE – LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL

Located 45 minutes from Trinity

Gentle – Moderate

1.7km inner loop, 3.5km outer loop, 0.5 or 1 hours

The Experience

The King’s Cove Lighthouse Trail is classed as a stacked loop. This provides the walker/hiker the option of completing the 1.7km inside loop or the 3.5km outside loop. Both trails are coastal hikes to the lighthouse. The outside loop offers the hiker additional coastal viewing into Bonavista Bay and Brook Point, then proceeds into the woods on a primitive trail leading back to the church. Returning via the inside loop, walkers/hikers have the opportunity to walk along rock foundations while admiring spectacular coastal scenery in Blackhead Bay.

The lighthouse was built in 1893, after some fifty shipwrecks occurred in Bonavista Bay. It was constructed of pre-cast iron, shipped from Birmingham, England. It was the first lighthouse in Newfoundland to be fitted with a revolving kerosene light system from Sweden and was visible from 14 nautical miles. Since it had to be lit every night and extinguished each morning, Philip Batterton was hired as a light keeper, a position held for over 62 years by the Batterton family.

– This information has been provided by the Discovery Trail Tourism Association

Directions from Trinity

Leave the town of Trinity

Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230

The trail is located at the halfway mark of Route 235 and there are two ways to get there from Trinity. Either route will take approximately 45 minutes. One can:

A) Turn Left onto Route 230 towards Clarenville

Turn right onto Route 235 at South Bay

Turn Left onto Top Road

Park at the large church in King’s Cove. The trail begins there.

B) Turn Right onto Route 230 towards Bonavista

Turn left onto Route 237 at Catalina

Turn Left onto Route 235

Turn Right onto Top Road

Park at the large church in King’s Cove. The trail begins there.

GPS: N48 34’12 W53 19’56

We do not recommend taking the Route 236 through Lockston Path Provincial Park, as it is a dirt road with no cell phone reception

Additional Links

Lighthouse Trail: The Hike Discovery Website and Maps

Trip Advisor Reviews

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information about hiking trails in the Eastern Region consider ordering the book Hikes of Eastern Newfoundland.

https://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Eastern-Newfoundland-Mary-Smyth/dp/1927099595

The photographs on this page are by Marieke Gow and may only be used on other websites or print material with written permission from Marieke. mariekegow@yahoo.com