Travel Tips and Touring Information – Newfoundland

Newfoundland Information

Perry and Donna Langmead, Ride Coordinators for Chapter 'A', Newfoundland, are offering some valuable information to those of us travelling from the mainland of Canada and the US to the Region L Rally in Marystown, Newfoundland:

TRAVELLING

For those travelling to the island, there are two ferry crossing points. One is from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port Aux Basque and the other is from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Argentia.

As a suggestion, you may want to take the Marine Atlantic Ferry from North Sydney to Argentia which is close to St. John's. While this is a fourteen to fifteen hour crossing vsthe six hour average crossing to Port aux Basques, it does eliminate driving across the island twice. It will save you a full day of driving.

Make ferry reservations early. (Reservations started February 1.)

The other option is to do it in reverse and come in at Port Aux Basque and leave via Argentia.

An important point to note is that you will need to tie down your bikes onboard the Ferry. Marine Atlantic will provide chains and some rope slings, but if you like the current condition of your chrome engine guards you may prefer nylon straps so bring your own. Wrap the nylon straps around the front forks and rear guards, and attach the chains to the loops on the straps. This method of tying down your bike can be found in your Gold Book. The nylon straps are much better than wrapping the chains or the hooks onto your chrome. They won't have these onboard, and once you get to the ferry it's too late. If you don't tie down the bikes they will fall over on the crossing.

SCENIC RIDES

Chapter 'A' has decided, with the help of its members, to offer some guided rides prior to the Rally in and around the Avalon Peninsula. These rides will be departing from St. John’s.

The rides would be:

a. The Cape Shore via Placentia (Castle Hill & Cape St. Mary's Bird Sanctuary)

b. The Irish Loop (Ferryland Archaeological Site and maybe some bird watching)

c.St. John's to Carbonear with stops in Brigus and Cupids.

d. The Baccaleau Trail (Hearts Content Cable Station, Winterton Boat Building Museum and of courseDildo)

These daily rides would run from Saturday, July 30th to Tuesday, August 2nd and will leave from the Travellers Inn on Kenmount Road in St. John's.

Perry and Donna need to know in advance numbers for the above day trips. Please email them at.

ACCOMODATIONS

The Travellers Inn is the meeting place of Chapter 'A' and we find the staff very accommodating. They have offered a special room rate to GWRRA members who are coming to St. John's on these dates.

The rates are $92/night for Queen Size Room or 1 Double with 1 Twin Bed Room and $97/night for 2 Double Bed Rooms

Their number is (709) 722-5540. Tell them you are a GWRRA member when booking.

There are a couple of other hotels in the immediate vicinity of the Travellers Inn - The Ramada and The Capital Hotel

Here is a good website for accommodations in St. John's:

MUST SEE EVENTS

As well as the many scenic rides that are available especially around St. John's, two of the highlights of the Tourist season happening around that time are the George Street Festival and the Royal St. John's Regatta.

The George Street Festival runs nightly on George Street from are July 28 - August 2. Think Bourbon Street in New Orleans only done with a certain style that can only be found on the "Rock". For more information see this link...

Newfoundland's own Great Big Sea will be opening the George Street Festival on Thursday, July 28th. Tickets are $35.00 and went on sale on Friday, March 4th at noon at the following sites. or

The other Highlight of the summer in St. John's is the Royal St. John's Regatta, the Oldest Ongoing Sporting Event in North America. It is held onAugust 3 (weather permitting). For more information here is their link...

GENERAL INFORMATION

With regards to the Island's size and driving times many visitors underestimate the length oftime it takes to get around. The mileage from Port aux Basques to St. John's is 906 km, all on the TCH, mostly at 100kmh. Minimum estimated time @ Speed Limits is 9:22 hh:mm not including fuel and rest stops.

Other distances between destinations that might help you plan your trip are:

(Calculated by "Road Distance Database" located at )

Argentia Ferry Terminal to St. John's is approximately 133 kms mostly on the TCH and secondary highways at 100kmh. Minimum estimated time @ Speed Limits is 1:30 hh:mm not including stops.

Assuming you skip St. John's (not recommended),Argentia Ferry Terminal to Marystown is 262 km mostly on secondary highways and the TCH at 100kmh. Minimum estimated time @ Speed Limits is 3:04 hh:mm not including stops.

Marystown to L'Anse Aux Meadows 1056 km on the TCH and secondary highways at 100kmh. Minimum estimated time @ Speed Limits is 12:29 hh:mm not including stops.

L'Anse Aux Meadows to Port Aux Basques 701 km on the TCH and secondary highways at 100kmh. Minimum estimated time @ Speed Limits is 8:15 hh:mm not including stops.

Here is a link to a Google Map route from Argentia, to St. John's, to Marystown, to L'Anse Aux Meadows, to Port aux Basques. Total distance is 2191 km, estimated driving time 29 hours.

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For the record, eliminating St. John's will only cut that by 184 km (less than 2 hours)

Two things to be aware of, Ruts and Moose...

There are an estimated 125,000 moose on the island. That's about 1 for every 5 people. They have no real natural predators so they are a major hazard, in 2007 there were 447 moose vehicle accidents on our highways. Here is a link to some information about moose from the provincial Department of Transportation.

The other hazard is ruts. Sections of the TCH that have been built or rebuilt in recent years seem to have a tendency for deep ruts to wear into the asphalt. It seems they don't make Asphalt the way they used to. While these ruts are not a problem on a good day, every time it rains the ruts fill with water and there are always drivers who hydroplane and end up in the ditch. No matter how good your tires are, use caution in the rain, especially in the outside lanes of all divided highway sections. Worst sections are nearer St. John's.

Finally you will need a place to stay in the St. Anthony / L'Anse aux Meadows area. One of our members recommended "Snorri Cabins" Don't forget to take in all the views as you drive through Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

If there are any questions that come up while planning your trip just ask, and we will help find the best info we can. General tourism Website is

Perry and Donna Langmead

Chapter A, NewfoundlandRide Co-ordinators