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Newfoundland Travel - One Day Agenda Part 1

Updated: Feb 17

This is a suggestion for a one day travel itinerary for those visiting Newfoundland's east coast and includes a visit to Signal Hill, Fort Amherst and The Battery, Quidi Vidi lake, Quidi Vidi Village, and the Royal Artillery Park. Some of these venues hold special events during the summer that may be of interest to you. The amount of time you wish to spend in each destination will influence the amount of time it takes to see visit attraction and your one day agenda can easily become a 2 or 3 day event.



SIGNAL HILL

Panoramic view of the ocean, horizon, and Newfoundland coastline as seen from atop the cliffs at Signal Hill.
Panoramic view of the ocean, horizon, and Newfoundland coastline.

Signal Hill, Newfoundland, is a national historic site and a popular attraction for visitors to the province. It is the site of Marconi's first wireless transmission in 1901. The massive cliffs stand at a height of 167 meters above sea level; Lady's Lookout, the highest point in St. John's, Newfoundland, at a height of 169 meters. In season, see whales, icebergs, and shore birds from a position high atop the massive cliffs of Signal Hill. While touring Signal Hill, be sure to visit the information centre, get your picture taken next to the many canons on the cliffs, stop at the gift shop in Cabot Tower, visit the Queen's Battery and tour inside the barricks, and attend a firing of the noon day gun. For those inclined, there are five hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. #signalhill #canon #gun #queensbattery #barrick #nationalhistoricsite #tourism #newfoundland #tourismnl

Parks Canada hiking trails on Signal Hill, Newfoundland

Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, under the veil of fluffy clouds on a summer day.
Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, under the veil of fluffy clouds on a summer day.

Under a cover of blue sky and fluffy white clouds, the noon day gun on Signal Hill sits atop a brick fence.
The noon day gun, Cabot Tower, Signal Hill.

Visitors are welcome to attend a firing of the noon day gun on Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, during the summer season at 12:00 pm sharp. For a fee, you can be a participant in the actual firing of the gun (I advise that you check with staff to ensure this opportunity is being offered if you wish to be a participant). The gun creates a loud blast that pets may find bothersome.


Learn about the Noon Day Gun at Signal Hill

This is the Queen's Battery and Soldier's Barricks, Signal Hill, overlooking St. John's harbour and downtown St. John's.
The Queen's Battery and Soldier's Barricks overlooking St. John's harbour.

This is one of the Queen's Battery canons atop Signal Hill. It is in close proximity to the barricks in which soldiers operating the canons were housed.
This is one of the Queen's Battery canons atop Signal Hill in close proximity to the soldier's barricks.

In the barricks, two twin beds and uniforms were displayed to illustrate the daily life of a serviceman during wartime.
Visitors are invited to explore the barrick interiors to gain a better understanding of life on the battlefield.

Experience life as a soldier in a personalized tour of the Queen's Battery

A row of six canons are positioned on the cliffs of Signal Hill to protect the land borders from invading naval ships.
A row of six canons are positioned on the cliffs of Signal Hill to protect the land borders from invading naval ships.

Enjoy a performance of the Signal Hill Tattoo

 

FORT AMHERST AND THE BATTERY

This is an old, crumbling, war bunker, now bearing graffiti, that sits on the outer cliffs of Fort Amherst, Newfoundland.
This is a crumbling war bunker, now bearing graffiti, that sits on the outer cliffs of Fort Amherst, Newfoundland.

Fort Amherst, across from Signal Hill, offers amazing coastal views. The war bunkers on the cliffs are now crumbling but fascinating to photograph. There is a lighthouse on the cliff edge which is useful for ships to determine sea position as they prepare to enter "The Narrows." Fort Amherst is about a ten minute drive from Signal Hill, Newfoundland. #fortamherst #stjohns #destinationstjohns #tourismnl #newfoundland #newfoundlandtravel

Ocean and coastal view of Newfoundland, including Cabot Tower atop Signal Hill, as seen from Fort Amherst. It is from this position that you can truly enjoy the beauty of the ocean swirls near the base of the cliffs.
Ocean and coastal view of Newfoundland, including Cabot Tower atop Signal Hill, as seen from Fort Amherst.

The lighthouse at Fort Amherst, Newfoundland, is situated on the outer banks of the cliff overlooking the ocean.
The lighthouse at Fort Amherst, Newfoundland, is situated on the outer banks of the cliff overlooking the ocean.

Oceanfront houses nestled in the cliffs of "The Battery," Newfoundland.
Oceanfront houses nestled in the cliffs of "The Battery," Newfoundland.

 

QUIDI VIDI LAKE, HOME OF THE ANNUAL ROYAL ST. JOHN'S REGATTA

Low lying fog embracing a distant mountain along the Quidi Vidi Lake walking trail.
Low lying fog embracing a distant mountain along the Quidi Vidi Lake walking trail.

Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John's, Newfoundland, a short drive from Fort Amherst, is home to the Annual Royal St. John's Regatta (a sporting / rowing event that is held on the first Wednesday of August annually, weather permitting). There is a pet friendly walking trail that circles the lake and continues for a distance of 3.8 km. Enjoy views of the lake, the many species of water birds that congregate along the water banks (ducks, gulls, bald eagles, rock pigeons and more), and sit and rest at beautiful rest stops. Quidi Vidi lake is a distance of about fifteen minutes from Fort Amherst. #quidividilake #travelnewfoundland #tourismnl #destinationstjohns #newfoundland #nature #walkingtrail #wildlife #regatta

While standing on the banks of Quidi Vidi Lake, take in the natural beauty of grassy fields, colorful shrubbery, and large trees that reach out toward the water.
Enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you while you stand on the grassy banks of Quidi Vidi Lake.

Annual Royal St. John's Regatta boathouse at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John's, Newfoundland.
Annual Royal St. John's Regatta boathouse at Quidi Vidi Lake.

"The Rower" statue at lake side, Quidi Vidi Lake, serves as a monument in recognition of the annual royal St. John's regatta.
In recognition of the annual Royal St. John's Regatta, "The Rower" statue is positioned lakeside at Quidi Vidi Lake.

There are flowers and tall grass surrounding a viewing wharf that extends into the water in Quidi Vidi Lake.
There are flowers and tall grass surrounding a viewing wharf that extends into the water in Quidi Vidi Lake.

One of the Quidi Vidi Lake rest huts is situated on a small slope surrounded by trees alongside the gravel walking trail.
One of the Quidi Vidi Lake rest huts is situated on a small slope alongside the gravel walking trail.

Double crested cormorant yawning lake side at Quidi Vidi lake.
Double crested cormorant yawning lake side at Quidi Vidi lake.

Two young bald eagles with an adult standing on ice at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John's.
A young bald eagle is landing on ice next to its parent and sibling at Quidi Vidi Lake, St. John's.

Herring gull with a rock in its mouth, wings open and legs extended, flying over the surface of Quidi Vidi lake.
Herring gull with a rock in its mouth, wings open and legs extended, flying over the surface of Quidi Vidi lake.

Northern pintail, wings open, in Quidi Vidi lake, St. John's, Newfoundland.
Northern pintail, wings open, in Quidi Vidi lake, St. John's, Newfoundland.

 

QUIDI VIDI VILLAGE

Lighting from the Quidi Vidi Brewing company casts a reflective glow atop the ocean surface in this small fishing village.
An aquatic landscape bordered by magnificent cliffs dominates the landscape of Quidi Vidi Village.

Just a few feet beyond the north head of Quidi Vidi Lake is the Quidi Vidi Village. The community is well known for its homes built in the ocean, the iconic Quidi Vidi Brewery, the community's vibrant fishing heritage and culture, its rugged coastal hiking trail, and its aesthetic views. #quidividi #fishingvillage #oceanhomes #heritage #culture #hiking #aestheticview

Lobster pots and other fishing gear are stored by a pink parkbench overlooking stilt houses on the far side of the harbour.
On a gravel walkway across from Quidi Vidi harbour, colorful stilt houses rest at the base of magnificent cliffs.

Hiking the East Coast Trail through marshlands, berry-rich shrubs, and tall grass leading toward tree covered cliffs.
This section of the East Coast Trail in Quidi Vidi is surrounded by marshlands, berry-rich shrubs, and tall grass.

The Sugarloaf Path that extends from Quidi Vidi Village to Logy Bay and is rated moderate to difficult. It takes approximately 3-5 hours one way to complete. I have not personally hiked this full trail but did go to the top of the cliff overlooking Quidi Vidi Village and was quite impressed with the amazing views. #eastcoasttrail #hiking #newfoundland #sugarloafpath, #quidividi #outdoors #hikethetrail


Newfoundland's Quidi Vidi Village, a fishing community with stilt houses and wharfs for boats, is an example of a traditional fishing community.
Bird's eye view of Quidi Vidi Village from atop the cliff on the Sugarloaf Path hiking trail.

View the mountains and houses at the harbour entrance to Quidi Vidi Village from the cliffs on Sugarloaf Path hiking trail..
View the mountains and houses at the harbour entrance to Quidi Vidi Village from the cliffs on the hiking trail.

Sugarloaf Path, East Coast Trail hiking path

 

THE ROYAL ARTILLERY PARK

At the Royal Artillery Park, an army tank is displayed on a concrete form in a grassy field.
At the Royal Artillery Park, an army tank is displayed on a concrete form in a grassy field.

The Royal Artillery Park is located at The Royal Canadian Legion branch 56 in Pleasantville, Newfoundland. It is a memorial to veterans, most easily found directly across from the north end of Quidi Vidi lake. It is a small memorial site and only takes a short time to visit. #veteran #quidividi #pleasantville #newfoundland #royalartillerypark #newfoundland #memorial #war #armyprops

Gun and tank on display at the Royal Canadian Letion, Branch 56, Pleasantville.
Gun and tank on display at the Royal Canadian Letion, Branch 56, Pleasantville.

Please follow my Newfoundland Travel Blog to see my work on some other popular tourist attractions in eastern Newfoundland. I'd be delighted to hear from you so why not contact me today?


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