10 Day Newfoundland Itinerary For An Epic Road Trip
With colourful fishing villages, dramatic coastal cliffs, incredible wildlife, and some of the friendliest people I have met while travelling in Canada, it is easy to understand why so many people fall in love with Newfoundland.
After visiting Newfoundland twice, including a long weekend trip and a 10 day road trip through eastern Newfoundland, I can confidently say this province deserves more time than many first-time visitors realize.
Newfoundland is massive, and trying to see everything in one trip means spending more time in the car and less time actually experiencing the places you came to see. While it can be tempting to combine both the east and west coasts, I recommend focusing on one region unless you have at least two weeks or are planning to fly between destinations.
For this Newfoundland road trip itinerary, I focused on eastern Newfoundland, exploring St.John’s, the Avalon Peninsula, Bonavista Peninsula, Twillingate, and the Irish Loop.
I came to Newfoundland hoping to see three things: whales, puffins, and icebergs. And was lucky enough to see all three.
From watching humpback whales breach near Cape Spear to standing beside massive icebergs in Twillingate and seeing puffins just feet away in Elliston, this trip became one of my favourite Canadian adventures.
This 10 day Newfoundland itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to experience the best coastal scenery, wildlife encounters, hiking trails, and charming communities in eastern Newfoundland without rushing through the island.
You’ll find the exact route I followed, where I recommend spending your time, what I would prioritize, and a few things I would do differently when planning your own road trip in Newfoundland.
Let’s plan your unforgettable Newfoundland trip.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Rosewood Suites. All thoughts and opinions are my own.Â
10 Day Newfoundland Itinerary: Overview
- Day 1: St. John’s
- Day 2: Cape Spear sunrise, drive to Trinity
- Day 3: Trinity
- Day 4: Elliston & Bonavista
- Day 5: Twillingate
- Day 6: Twillingate & Clarenville
- Day 7: Chance Cove, Dildo & St. John’s
- Day 8: St.John’s & Irish Loop
- Day 9: Irish Loop
- Day 10: Return to St. John’s Airport
Day 1: St.John’s
Most flights into St. John’s arrive in the afternoon, making your first day all about settling in and getting your first introduction to Newfoundland.
Pick up your rental car at the airport and head to your accommodation in St. John’s.
I recommend staying downtown St. John’s if possible. It makes exploring the city much easier, especially if you want to walk to restaurants, colourful neighbourhoods, and waterfront viewpoints without worrying about parking.
Walk Along Jellybean Row
One of the first things you will notice about St. John’s is the colourful row houses throughout the city.
Known as Jellybean Row, these brightly painted homes have become one of Newfoundland’s iconic sights and are a great introduction to the colourful personality of St. John’s. There is no one specific street, it’s the whole area.
There is not one official Jellybean Row street. Instead, you’ll find colourful houses throughout the neighbourhoods surrounding downtown, so the best way to find them is to wander around.
On my second visit to St. John’s, I tried to find some of the same houses I photographed years earlier and realized many had been painted completely different colours (shown in the picture above as teal, yellow, and blue, when they used to be green, orange, and grey-blue a few years ago). That’s part of the fun, that every visit feels a little different.
Watch Sunset at Signal Hill
End your first evening in Newfoundland at Signal Hill.
The views overlooking St. John’s Harbour and the coastline are incredible, especially as the sun begins to set over the Atlantic Ocean.
Signal Hill is also a great first glimpse of the dramatic landscapes you’ll experience throughout the rest of your trip. And it’s one of my favourite places to visit in St.John’s!
You might even spot a fox wandering around like we did!
After sunset, head back downtown for dinner and get some rest before an early start tomorrow.
Day 2: Cape Spear Sunrise & Drive To Trinity
Today combines one of Newfoundland’s most famous landmarks with a scenic drive to one of the prettiest towns in the province.
Watch Sunrise at Cape Spear
If there is one place I recommend waking up early for in St. John’s, it is Cape Spear.
As the easternmost point in North America, watching the sunrise at Cape Spear is so special. You’re the first ones to see it in the whole continent!
During my first trip to Newfoundland, I watched an incredible sunrise here. On this trip, the sunrise itself was not quite as dramatic, but the whales had something even better waiting for us.
Once we reached the lighthouse, a few humpback whales appeared and were breaching in the distance.
Watching those whales jump from the water through binoculars while standing at one of Canada’s most iconic viewpoints became one of my favourite memories from the entire trip. It was my first time seeing humpback whales!
Just watch out for moose on your drive to and from Cape Spear, we spotted a moose on the road during our drive in.
Before heading back downtown for breakfast, you can stop at Golden Vista Lookout and Battery Village Lookout for more beautiful views of St.John’s.
Drive To Trinity
After breakfast, begin the 3 hour drive to Trinity.
The drive itself is beautiful, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Once you arrive, spend the evening exploring Trinity’s historic streets and colourful waterfront. We got souvenirs at the Dock Marina Gift Shop and chocolates from Aunt Sarah’s.
Stay in Trinity
When deciding where to stay in Newfoundland and choosing to base yourself in Trinity vs Bonavista, I recommend staying in Trinity.
Trinity quickly became one of my favourite places in Newfoundland. The quiet harbour, historic buildings, and slower pace make it feel like stepping back in time.
I stayed at Rosewood Suites and loved the location for exploring the town. This cute boutique hotel is a great place to relax and really enjoy this tiny town. You can walk around everywhere. Right around the block from our whale watching tour!
If you have time before dinner, stop by the Artisan Inn for a drink overlooking the harbour before enjoying a relaxing evening. Just make sure you plan your dinner early as most restaurants close in Trinity around 7-8pm.
Day 3: Trinity
Today is all about experiencing the beauty of Trinity and the surrounding coastline.
Join A Whale Watching Boat Tour
One of the best ways to experience Newfoundland is from the water.
A boat tour gives you a completely different perspective of the coastline, and depending on the season, you may have the chance to see humpback whales, puffins, seabirds, seals, and even icebergs.
June through August are great for whales and puffins, while May and early June are better for icebergs.
During our zodiac tour we spotted a minke whale, two fin whales, harbour seals, puffins and countless seabirds. Out of the three boat tours I took in Newfoundland, this one was my favourite for whale watching.
If you only do one thing in Trinity, I highly recommend adding a zodiac boat tour to your Newfoundland travel itinerary!
Hike The Skerwink Trail
After your boat tour and lunch, spend your afternoon hiking the Skerwink Trail.
This was one of my favourite Newfoundland hikes because it combines everything I love: rugged coastline, incredible ocean views, and the feeling that you are standing at the edge of the world.
The 5.3 km loop trail is considered one of the best hikes in Newfoundland and has even been recognized as one of the 35 Top Hikes in North America. Once you start hiking, it is easy to see why.
Around every corner there is another incredible viewpoint, and you may even spot whales offshore.
It takes around 2 hours to complete, although I recommend giving yourself extra time because you will want to stop constantly for photos. We are slow hikers and took 3.5 hours to hike Skerwink trail.
One thing I learned while hiking in Newfoundland is that moderate trails can still be challenging. There are quite a few stairs on this hike and the elevation changes can get you!
Looking for an easier alternative hike? Choose the 5.5km Fox Island Trail instead.
Day 4: Elliston & Bonavista
Today is one of the biggest wildlife days of this Newfoundland itinerary.
You will visit Elliston and Bonavista, two of the best places in Newfoundland to see puffins and explore the dramatic coastline.
Visit The Puffin Viewing Site In Elliston
With seeing puffins in the wild on your Newfoundland bucket list, you cannot skip Elliston.
The Puffin Viewing Site in Elliston is one of the easiest places in North America to see Atlantic puffins from land.
Unlike many wildlife experiences, you do not need to join a boat tour. Simply follow the short path from the parking lot, find a viewing spot behind the fence, and wait.
We watched puffins flying back and forth to the island and watched them chill on the cliff edge for quite a while, and it was a dream come true to see them so close!
Boat tours are great, but nothing beats seeing them only a few feet away. Just don’t cross the fence or you will damage the puffin nests hidden in the ground!
Before leaving Elliston, stop for local souvenirs at Puffins Nest and Wilbur Hobbs Carver. I got this really cool hand-carved wooden puffin keychain!
Explore Bonavista
Continue into Bonavista for the afternoon.
Bonavista has more restaurants and services than Trinity, making it a good place to stop for lunch. We ate at Bonavista Brewery, which was a great spot to take a break.
Hike Spillars Cove
For a short coastal walk, head to The Chimney at Spillars Cove.
This 10–15 minute hike to the sea chimney was recommended by our accommodation Rosewood Suites, and I’m glad we added it. The sea views were beautiful, and we spotted even more puffins along the cliffs.
Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
Next, visit Dungeon Provincial Park before ending your day at Cape Bonavista Lighthouse.
The sunset didn’t come out, but we watched the puffins on the rocks across the Lighthouse. And was a relaxing way to end a puffin-filled day.
And just when we were leaving Bonavista, we spotted a fox! It ran alongside our rental car for a few minutes carrying its dinner.
That is one of my favourite things about Newfoundland. You can plan the perfect itinerary, but the best moments come out of nowhere. I loved all our surprise wildlife encounters!
Be careful driving to Trinity in the dark. Watch for moose.
Day 5: Twillingate
Today you will leave the Bonavista Peninsula and make the scenic drive north toward Twillingate, one of the best places in Newfoundland to see icebergs.
This is a longer driving day, so take your time and enjoy the journey.
Stop in Gander for lunch before continuing toward the coast.
Go Iceberg Watching In Twillingate
Twillingate was one of the main reasons I planned this Newfoundland trip itinerary the way I did.
I specifically wanted to visit during iceberg season because seeing these massive ice formations up close had been on my bucket list for years.
If you are visiting between late spring and early summer, I highly recommend booking an iceberg boat tour as soon as possible as they fill up quickly.
Our afternoon boat tour ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip. Originally, I had planned to go in the morning, but the weather pushed our tour to the afternoon, and it ended up working out perfectly.
We saw three icebergs, including one massive iceberg sitting just offshore at Jones Cove with two smaller baby bergs floating nearby. We also saw the natural sea arch and spotted a bald eagle sitting in the treetop.
Seeing an iceberg from a distance is impressive, but seeing one from the water gives you a completely different appreciation for how massive they really are. I was so happy!
The weather was cloudy during our boat tour, and I loved it. The fog and grey skies made the coastline feel even more dramatic and perfectly matched the rugged beauty of Newfoundland.
Explore Twillingate
Your iceberg adventure does not have to end when the boat returns.
Icebergs are constantly moving and changing, so the best viewing locations can be different every day. Before visiting, check the Facebook Group, ask your accommodation where icebergs have recently been spotted, or drive around and just have fun trying to find them on your own.
We spent the evening driving around Twillingate searching for more icebergs and found beautiful viewpoints at Purcell’s Harbour, Little Harbour, and Wild Cove.
End the day with a delicious lobster dinner at Sansome & Sons Ltd.
Should You Visit Twillingate?
While I loved Twillingate, I think it is important to be realistic about adding it to a 10 day Newfoundland itinerary.
It is a beautiful destination, but it is also a significant 4 hour detour from the rest of this itinerary.
If you are visiting outside iceberg season, I would consider skipping it and spending that extra time around Trinity and Bonavista instead.
I chose Twillingate because I wanted to maximize my chances of seeing icebergs, and it paid off. It was the only place on my route that still had icebergs in mid-June. Otherwise, I would’ve had to drive further north and I didn’t have time for that on this trip.
Day 6: Twillingate & Clarenville
Before leaving Twillingate, spend one more morning and early afternoon enjoying the coastline before beginning your journey back toward St. John’s.
Hike The Little Harbour Trail
The Little Harbour Trail is one of the best short hikes near Twillingate.
The trail leads to Jones Cove, where we enjoyed another view of the same iceberg we had seen from our boat tour the night before.
Seeing it from land was such a different experience. Instead of watching it from the water, we were standing on the coastline looking out at this massive piece of ice floating offshore.
Note: If you are visiting Twillingate in or outside of Iceberg Season, choose the best hike that allows you to see icebergs on land. For us, that was Jones Cove.
Other Hikes in Twillingate
- French Beach Trail – 3 km moderate difficulty hike that follows the coast and headlands
- Nanny’s Hole Trail – 2 km moderate difficulty hike with dramatic cliff and ocean views
After your hike, spend some time exploring local shops, grab lunch, and begin the drive toward Clarenville. You’ll want to arrive before dark.
We stopped in Gander for dinner before checking into our accommodation in Clarenville for the night.
Staying in Clarenville helps break up the drive back toward St. John’s and keeps you from spending an entire day behind the wheel.
Day 7: Chance Cove, Dildo & St.John’s
Today combines a beautiful hike with a quick day trip and relaxed drive back to St. John’s.
Hike The Chance Cove Trail
Chance Cove was one of my favourite surprises in Newfoundland.
It is not as well known as some of the province’s famous hiking trails, but I thought it was just as beautiful and felt like a hidden gem.
The trail takes 2 hours to complete and gives you a little bit of everything: coastal views, forests, beaches, cliffs, and constantly changing weather.
When we started the hike, the sun was shining.
By the time we reached the coast, thick fog had rolled in and completely changed the scenery. And the weather kept changing throughout the hike. It was so weird that it was both sunny and foggy!
If you are worried about the staircase section at the beginning of the trail, do not let it stop you. I actually found walking along the beach route on the way out much easier than climbing the stairs.
Explore Dildo
While many visitors stop in Dildo for the photo opportunity, I think it is worth spending a little more time here.
It is a charming little town where you can stretch your legs, stop at a cafe, browse local shops, and grab lunch at Dildo Brewery. And don’t forget to get souvenirs from Nan and Pop’s Dildo Souvenir Shop!
Once you are back in the city, spend your evening exploring downtown or enjoying dinner.
And if you missed nighttime at Signal Hill on the night on Day 1, head back there. Signal Hill has the best night view of St.John’s!
Day 8: St.John’s & Irish Loop
Today begins your Irish Loop adventure.
After spending the morning exploring St. John’s, you will head south toward one of my favourite areas of Newfoundland.
Hike Cobbler’s Path
For a beautiful but shorter hike near St. John’s, Cobbler’s Path is one of my favourite options.
Starting from Doran’s Lane, the trail follows dramatic sea cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
We hiked to Torbay Point and back rather than completing the entire 5 km trail, and it quickly became our favourite hike of the trip. My group and I all agreed!
The viewpoint feels like you are standing on a narrow finger stretching out into the ocean, surrounded by endless coastal views.
The hike in is mostly downhill and way easier, which means the return journey involves more stairs and elevation. But the views are worth the effort. Even for me, who always dies on stairs!
If you only have time for one shorter coastal hike near St. John’s, I would choose Cobbler’s Path.
Visit Quidi Vidi
Before leaving St. John’s, stop in Quidi Vidi.
This small fishing village feels away from downtown St. John’s, even though it is only minutes from the city.
Walk around the harbour, admire the colourful buildings, and grab lunch before beginning your drive along the Irish Loop.
Although beware the limited parking. If you are running short on time from enjoying too much time at Cobbler’s Path, you can skip Quidi Vidi.
Stay Along The Irish Loop
Instead of trying to drive the entire Irish Loop in one day, I highly recommend spending two nights here.
This was one of my favourite decisions of the trip.
Staying at Cliff’s Edge Retreat gave us time to slow down, enjoy the coastline, relax in the hot tub, and appreciate the peaceful side of Newfoundland. We really needed that hot tub after all the hiking on this trip!
Some of my favourite travel moments happened here, including sitting outside at 7am while watching whales swim offshore.
Day 9: Irish Loop
Today is your final full day in Newfoundland, and it is packed with some of the best adventures along the Irish Loop.
Go Puffin & Whale Watching In The Irish Loop
Start your morning with breakfast at the Irish Loop Coffee House before joining a whale watching tour from Mobile with Molly Bawn Whale & Puffin Tour.
Even after seeing whales several times throughout the trip, it never gets old.
Every boat tour showed us something different.
- The Trinity tour was incredible for whales and puffins.
- The Twillingate tour was all about icebergs and the coastline.
- The Irish Loop tour gave us another chance to see whales and puffins.
During our tour, we saw a pair of humpback whales and a lot of puffins!
Watching humpback whales surface beside the boat is one of those experiences that never feels ordinary.
Hike The La Manche Suspension Bridge Trail
After your boat tour, head to the La Manche Suspension Bridge Trail hike.
This easy-to-moderate hike leads to one of Newfoundland’s only suspension bridges while passing waterfalls, forests, and beautiful coastal scenery.
I love this hike so much I’ve done it on both of my Newfoundland trips and I rarely repeat hikes when travelling.
The first time I visited, I was lucky enough to see 4 seals hanging out under the bridge.
Just remember to bring bug spray for summer hiking. Newfoundland bugs can be intense for 2 weeks through the summer! I unluckily visited during this time during my second time hiking the trail.
Enjoy A Final Evening Along The Coast
After nearly 10 days exploring Newfoundland, ending the day relaxing in a hot tub felt like the perfect way to finish the trip.
If you are looking for dinner nearby, The Captain’s Table in Mobile is a great option. They have great seafood!
Day 10: Fly Home
Your final morning in Newfoundland is all about enjoying the last few quiet moments before heading home.
If you are staying at Cliff’s Edge Retreat, wake up early and spend some time outside.
After breakfast, drive back to St. John’s Airport, return your rental car, and begin your journey home.
How Many Days Do You Need In Newfoundland?
For a first trip to Newfoundland, 10 days is a great amount of time if you focus on one side of the island.
This gives you enough time to experience St. John’s, Trinity, Bonavista, Twillingate, and the Irish Loop.
While it can be tempting to add places like Gros Morne National Park or the west coast on the same itinerary, it’s better to slow down and focus on fewer destinations. You will spend less time driving and have more opportunities to enjoy the places you visit.
Where To Stay In Newfoundland
For 10 days in Newfoundland starting from St.John’s, you’ll want to stay in a few different areas rather than choosing one home base. This will help you spend less time driving and more time enjoying the places you visit.
I stayed in 5 different areas during this trip, but you can simplify it to 4 by skipping Clarenville if you are not visiting Twillingate.
Overall, the best places to stay in eastern Newfoundland are Trinity and the Irish Loop. These areas offer the best combination of charming coastal towns, wildlife experiences, hiking trails, and beautiful scenery.
Trinity is my favourite place to stay on the Bonavista Peninsula. This historic town has colourful buildings, whale watching tours, Skerwink Trail, and is only an hour away from Bonavista. I loved my stay at Rosewood Suites and recommend spending at least three nights here.
St. John’s is the best place to start and end your road trip. Staying downtown makes it easy to explore the city’s highlights, restaurants, and waterfront before or after your adventure.
The Irish Loop is the perfect place to slow down at the end of your trip. With coastal hikes, whale watching, and peaceful ocean views, it was one of my favourite parts of Newfoundland. I loved my stay at Cliff’s Edge Retreat.
Best Time To Visit Newfoundland
The best time to visit Newfoundland is May-August, depending on what you want to experience.
If you want the best chance of seeing whales, puffins, and icebergs during the same trip, I recommend visiting between late May and early June.
This is when we visited, and I was incredibly lucky to experience all three.
I saw puffins in Elliston, Bonavista, and along the Irish Loop.
I saw whales from Cape Spear, during a boat tour in Trinity, and during our Irish Loop boat tour.
I saw icebergs from the water in Twillingate and from land while hiking near Jones Cove.
Early mornings are also worth prioritizing. Some of my best wildlife sightings happened before most visitors were awake, including the moose near Cape Spear. It made me get up early every morning, and I’m not a morning person!
Getting Around Newfoundland
I highly recommend renting a car in Newfoundland.
Many of Newfoundland’s best hiking trails, viewpoints, and small communities are not easily accessible without your own vehicle. And public transit won’t take you to nearly any of the good spots!
You should book your rental car at the same time as you book your flights. There is a shortage of cars available to book, so they go quickly! Book a year or more ahead if you can.
Check Rental Car Availability ->
Helpful Tips For Visiting Newfoundland
- Pack for changing weather. Newfoundland weather can change quickly, so if you don’t like the weather, just wait a little bit. Bring layers, a rain jacket, and waterproof hiking shoes to be prepared.
- Take your time on the trails and bring plenty of water. Many Newfoundland hikes are listed as moderate, and they really are moderate. Take your time and enjoy the views.
- Plan your boat tours carefully. I went on 3 boat tours on this trip, and while that sounds like a lot, I loved it. If you don’t want to do 3 boat tours, choose the one tour that matches your bucket list most and book in advance so they don’t fill up.
- One thing that surprised me about Newfoundland was how early restaurants close, especially in smaller communities. Plan dinner earlier than you might at home, especially in places like Trinity and Twillingate.
- Download offline maps. Cell service can be limited in more remote parts of Newfoundland, even in Trinity, and you don’t want to try to find your way around without a map.
- Bring binoculars if you have them. Many whale and iceberg sightings happen from shore, and they will make a huge difference. I watched the whales breaching at Cape Spear more clearly with binoculars!
Start Planning Your Newfoundland Road Trip
A 10 day Newfoundland road trip gives you enough time to experience some of the island’s most incredible highlights without feeling like you are rushing from one place to the next.
The biggest mistake many travellers make when planning Newfoundland is trying to see too much. Give yourself extra time for scenic drives, unexpected wildlife sightings, and those places where you’ll want to pull over just one more time for a photo.
When planning your trip, you’ll want to book your rental car and accommodations as early as possible, especially if you are visiting during the summer months. Popular areas like Trinity, Twillingate, and the Irish Loop have limited accommodation options, and the best places tend to book quickly. I booked only a few months out, and all but one place in Twillingate was fully booked for my dates!
The best Newfoundland itinerary also leaves room for flexibility. Boat tours are one of the best ways to experience Newfoundland’s coastline, but weather conditions can change quickly. Having an extra day or two in each region gives you a much better chance of enjoying these experiences without stress.
Whether you are watching whales from Cape Spear, searching for icebergs in Twillingate, or driving along the rugged coastline of the Irish Loop, this is the kind of road trip that stays with you long after you return home.
