Some activities to try in Terra Nova National Park and Gander, Newfoundland

by Keith and Heather Nicol

Yellowlegs along the shore

       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. 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 hike to 3.5 km (1 way) to Buckley Cove. The trail winds along the ocean before winding inland to Buckley Cove. The highlights were the coastal views and seeing shore birds-several greater yellowlegs feeding on the beaches. 

Walking on the Buckley Cove Trail

     We also joined Coastal Connections for a boat tour of Newman Sound. The Coastal Connections boat tour is unique in the province with its emphasis on interpreting the marine environment. Part of the tour includes hauling up several traps in different locations to illustrate what lives in these waters. The kids on board loved helping pull up the various traps and everyone wanted to see what fish, star fish, sea urchins or other creatures might be trapped inside. The highlight was the crab trap that was in about 120 meters of water and everyone on board helped haul in the trap. It held about 15 snow and toad crabs which Cap’t Lloyd Phillips said is about 1/10^th of their normal haul! Depending on the tour you may also see whales and eagles. For more information on this popular boat tour see: www.coastalconnections.ca

Passengers checking out some of the snow crab that we hauled up

      From Terra Nova National Park we drove to Gander to see the North Atlantic Aviation Museum. This museum is conveniently located right on the Trans Canada Highway and has many aircraft parked out side. Inside we met the manager, Catherine Torraville, who was very helpful explaining the evolution of aviation in Gander. The museum has just had a facelift and has a new 9-11 exhibit which should be very popular. We enjoyed this museum with its interactive displays and we recommend it to people of all ages. They also have a small gift shop and for more information see: http://www./northatlanticaviationmuseum.com/ 

Catherine Torraville (right) explains to Heather about the highlights of the museum

       That evening we saw the “Beyond the Overpass “Dinner Theatre and Show (http://www.beyondtheoverpass.ca/) at the Hotel Gander. They have several plays (mostly with a musical component) and their season runs through early September.  

Country music at the dinner theatre at the Hotel Gander