The Road to the Shore

Route 330 & 320 - (2 Hours, 45 Minutes Driving Return To Gander)

To local residents this drive is often referred to as "the loop". The loop begins in Gander, takes you north to Gander Bay, on through Northern Bonavista Bay and then returns to Gander. Along this route you will find wilderness full with moose, white sandy beaches that stretch on forever, fishing communities alive with activity, and grassy fields ideal for picnics.

Your first stop before departing Gander and beginning your drive along the "Road to the Shore" should be to stop at the Gander Visitor Information Center, located on the Trans Canada Highway (Route 1). The friendly staff there will provide you with plenty of current visitor information and local travel tips. The view of Gander Lake is spectacular from this location.

Just 15 minutes west of Gander on Route 1 are the communities of Appleton and Glenwood. Situated on opposite sides of the Gander River, these communities are the major launching point for many salmon fishermen. This river is a world class salmon river that offers thrilling adventures and remarkable scenery. Opportunities are available to travel downstream in a unique boat known as the "Gander River Boat", where you will be passing through 35 miles of wilderness to the Atlantic Ocean.

Now departing Gander and traveling north on route 330 from Gander, visitors will drive through a forest brimming with birch trees and wildlife. After 25 minutes of driving you arrive to Gander Bay and the ocean, leaving the forest behind, you now begin to see why this drive deservingly earned its name as the "Road to the Shore". For the next hour this highway trims near the shoreline and ocean giving visitors some of the best views of icebergs, whales and sea birds in the Northern Hemisphere. Your first stop in this ocean region is Musgrave Harbour where you can check out the local Fishermens Museum. Full of relics from early fishing days, visitors can see first hand the struggles these people endured and how they overcame them. Your next stop just minutes from Musgrave Harbour is the Banting Memorial Interpretation Center and Camping Park. This center honors the world-famous co-discoverer of insulin, Dr. Frederick Banting. The center interprets Dr. Banting's life and the circumstances surrounding his death in a tragic plane crash that occurred nearby on a military mission to Europe during WW11.

Leaving Banting Park, visitors continue along route 330 to the communities of Lumsden and Cape Freels (approximately 30 minutes driving) where the landscape and seascape combine to reveal miles of sandy beaches and rugged rocky coast which have endured the pounding of the North Atlantic for millions of years. Your drive along this shoreline will present you some of the greatest locations for beach combing, picnicking, bird watching, whale watching and iceberg spotting that has no equal in the North Atlantic.

Further down the highway from Cape Freels is the community of Newtown (approximately 15 minutes driving), once referred to as the "Venice of Newfoundland", is a remarkable community that was built on several tiny islands joined by bridges. Through live theater and interpretation you can discover the life story of Captain Barbour and his family at the "Barbour Living Heritage Village". A recreated turn-of-the-century fishing village, this site is alive with activity in the summer as characters work throughout the Village in period costumes and visitors are provided guided tours of the grounds, waterfront, warehouses and living quarters.

In Wesleyville, you can visit the Bonavista North Regional Museum which exhibits a very unique fishing room along with many other artifacts dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Also in Wesleyville you can visit a fin fish hatchery filled with many different species of fish and a touch tank. This area of the Province is featured prominently in the work of nationally acclaimed painter, David Blackwood. His dark colors and somber themes reflect the hardships and struggles for survival during the turn of the century when life depended upon the sea. To fully experience the beauty of this coastline drive through the communities of Badger's Quay, Pool's Island, and Valleyfield.

Down the shore from Newtown and Wesleyville is the quaint fishing community of Greenspond (approximately 30 minutes driving). In the late 1600's, this community was known as "the capital of Bonavista Bay". Today this community is best known for it's historic courthouse where many early 1900 Newfoundland trials were presided over. Visitors now have an opportunity to sit in the public gallery and be entertained with re-enactments of those early court cases. Guided walking tours of the courthouse building and jail are available throughout the summer season. One of the most picturesque communities in Bonavista Bay, this island community remains strongly attached to the fishing industry.

Leaving Greenspond you wind your way along the coastal highway of Bonavista Bay and pass through the communities of Indian Bay, Wareham, Centreville, and Trinity. Indian Bay offers some of the finest sport fishing opportunities in the Province. It is home to the Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation which is working hard to conserve local fish stocks for people to enjoy in the years to come. For those with sport utility vehicles, the old wood roads offer fantastic opportunities to experience some of our wilderness resources. Two trailer parks are located nearby. In one park you will find roofed accommodations and laundry services. This area is also particularly busy during late August/September when the many surrounding barrens produce delicious blueberry crops.

Departing Indian Bay and continuing south along route 320 visitors can set their bearings for Dover (approximately 20 minutes driving). In an unusual claim to fame the community of Dover invites visitors to discover their "FAULT". A unique geological event, the community of Dover lies within a fault that bears its name. 540 million years ago, this was the meeting place of the North American and European/African continents - this collision resulted in the formation of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Don't miss your once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this clearly defined fault line from the look-out and interpretation center site behind the Town Hall.

Return back on route 320 and drive south to the community of Gambo (approximately 10 minutes driving). Gambo has a rich history in the railway, fishing and logging but is best known for its connection to one of Canada's "Fathers of Confederation", Joseph R. Smallwood. An interpretive tribute to Newfoundland famous son on display at the Smallwood Interpretation Center located near the community center. Trails, campgrounds and many other amenities are also available. Before departing Gambo and returning to Gander (approximately 30 minutes driving) it is recommended that you stop at "Joey's Lookout" on the Trans Canada Highway and look back over Gambo and the enjoy the spectacular valley below.

The hub of the Kittiwake Coast, Gander is a modern town with a rich aviation history. The Town of Gander can outfit visitors with all the necessary services - from gourmet dining and first class accommodations to modern shopping and complete automotive services.

While visiting Gander stop at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum and the Gander International Airport to view the many aviation exhibits. Unearth stories of early aviation pioneers that passed through Newfoundland on their way to fame. Guided tours are available in both locations.

Today, Gander remains very much an airport community busy with flights from every corner of the earth. For those who want to get more familiar with a Gander flying experience we recommend you book a "Kittiwake Coast Flightseeing Tour" and tour the skyline of Gander and the icebergs of Notre Dame Bay.

Gander is offers plenty of options to visitors who enjoy hiking and walking. Try an easy walk at Cobb's Pond Rotary Park. Two kilometers of boardwalk surround an entire pond and allow visitors to enjoy nature where wildlife abounds. Also available are several picnic areas and a playground area for kids. In another area of Gander are the interpretative walking trails of the "Old Town Site". Located next to the Gander International Airport this site was once a community for British, Canadian and American service personnel along with some Newfoundland civilians. On the Trans Canada Highway, minutes east Gander are trails of the "Thomas Howe Demonstration Forest". The "Thomas Howe Demonstration Forest" is a forest management field classroom with a variety of interpretative trail. With a guide or on your own you can walk the various trails and learn about local forest management in a boreal forest. Visitors who are more adventurous or looking for a more demanding physical challenge can tempt the Newfoundland T'Railway. The Newfoundland T'Railway follows the route of the former rail bed from Port aux Basques to St. John's. Over 80 kilometers are completed within the Kittiwake Coast (from Lewisporte to Gambo), making it the longest developed section in Newfoundland. It is an ideal walking, biking or ATV trail through Gander and the Kittiwake Coast.

Gander is also home to the hilarious theater company " Acting-Up Entertainment. This group is sure to make you laugh. Throughout the year they offer a full schedule of dinner theaters, plays, skits, and children activities. Call and inquire 709-256-3110.