Hello,

If you don't mind long drives, it will be no problem. It is also closer to 3 1/4 or 3 1/2 hrs, one way. Your plan to do both sides of the Bonavista Peninsula is a ggod one.

I would recommend you drive direct from St. John's to the Bonavista peninsula turn off at Clarenville. You could drive out through the Conception Bay Highway from St. John's through a string of small communities but it would add another hour or so to your trip.

I would recommend for scenic drives, stops....Trinity, Trinity East, Elliston (with a visit to Puffin Rock, which has a good vantage point for whales and puffins), Bonavista Lighthouse (great vantage for scenery, icebergs in season), and Plate Cove area. Also beautiful is the drive to New Bonaventure, past Trinity.

For lunches, you can check out the many inns in Trinity, The Twine Loft is a good choice or Two Whales in Port Rexton or a new spot in Amherst Cove called The Bonavista Social Club. Although I personally have not been to this last spot, it has excellent reviews with a focus on breads prepared on site.

Hope you enjoy your holiday!

Thank you, Steffie. Good to know it's a bit less than 4 hours - minus stops, of course!

I am a regular traveller to the Bonavista area, and can confirm what Steffie has said about travel times. Without stops, St. John's to Bonavista can be done in around 3 1/2 hours, but remember you will want to stop to enjoy some of the attractions and scenery. Allow enough time for a leisurely drive through Rt 235 (the "other way") as there are some beautiful coves and communities along that stretch of coast. Hodderville especially has some beautiful rugged coastline.

I would suggest you concentrate your time between Trinity and Bonavista, then you can judge whether there is enough time for a side trip to Elliston. My favourite thing about Elliston is all the root cellars, and we had a game when my children were small to see how many we could count. You may see puffins at the lighthouse in Bonavista as often some nest on the rocks behind the lighthouse.

Hope this helps.

It ALL helps! I love TA people!

I love Keels too and the Ryan Premises in Bonavista are worth a stop to appreciate the history. Bonavista social club is highly recommended for homemade pizza, etc.

Old post from 2012

Knowing folks use these strings for research, the Sealers Interpretation Center and Memorial deserves at least an hour in Elliston. New 2014.

We'll be spending 2 nights in that area. The Bonavista Social Club sounds amazing with their homemade pizza. Aside from the attractions listed above, any other sites to see for a longer visit?

Old post from 2014, but info is still relevant.

Port Union with the Sir William Coaker heritage buildings and his house. The Dungeon in Bonavista - actually a sea carved cave and hole in the rocks, the Bonavista lighthouse, perhaps see the Matthew Legacy and Mockbeggar Premises.

Cafes to check out in Bonavista would be Mifflins Tea Room, Neil's Yard, Walkhams Gate and Boreal Diner.

The Bonavista Social Club is actually in Upper Amherst Cove, scenery there is amazing. And they keep sheep and goats!