Newfoundland
The Blanc-Sablon → Sainte-Barbe crossing
To get from Labrador to Newfoundland, every road tripper has to take the famous Labrador Marine ferry between Blanc-Sablon (Quebec) and Sainte-Barbe (Newfoundland). The 36 km crossing takes about 1 hour 45 minutes aboard the Qajaq W, at genuinely affordable fares: about $12/adult and $35/car (one way). There are 1 to 3 crossings a day depending on the period, and the service runs year-round.
⚠️ Watch out, this one catches people! The ferry runs on Newfoundland time, while Blanc-Sablon is still on Atlantic time (AST) — a gap of 1 h 30 minutes that has trapped plenty of travellers who thought they were early and ended up sprinting for the wharf! It is strongly recommended to arrive at least 1 hour before departure. The crossing itself is splendid: you run along the Strait of Belle Isle with a sweeping view of the Labrador coast and, with a bit of luck, you'll spot whales and icebergs on the way!
L'Anse aux Meadows
At the northern tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, about 40 km north of St. Anthony, lies one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world: L'Anse aux Meadows. It is the only authenticated Viking site in North America, discovered in 1960 by Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad and his wife, the archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad. There they uncovered the remains of a Norse camp dating from the year 1000, nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus! Listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1978, the site is managed today by Parks Canada. You discover the remains of eight sod structures with wooden frames — three dwellings, a forge and four workshops — as well as a reconstructed camp where costumed guides bring the place to life in the manner of the Vikings of old: blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations, tales from the Vinland saga by the fire, original artifacts (including more than 800 objects in wood, stone, bronze and bone found on site). A must-see visit that plunges you straight into a little-known chapter of world history!
Sleeping at the Viking RV Park
To stay right next to the site, head for the Viking RV Park, in Saint Lunaire-Griquet — the closest RV campground to L'Anse aux Meadows (just 5 minutes by car)! This charming little family campground sits on Route 436, on the edge of a small pond. There are about 30 sites, several of them pull-through, with water and electricity (no sewer hookup, but a dump station on site). Count on $25/night without services or $38/night with services. The washroom block is spotless and heated, and the campground offers Wi-Fi, washer and dryer, a play area for children, and sites with big fire pits. The big plus? The human warmth! Grace, the owner, bakes homemade muffins and fresh bread every morning and makes the famous mooseburger — a true Newfoundland experience! You can watch the sunset from the edge of the pond, with a chance of spotting a moose nearby. In short, the ideal place to stretch out the Viking magic!
The Daily Catch
In Saint Lunaire-Griquet, right beside the Viking RV Park and about 15 minutes from L'Anse aux Meadows, hides one of the best places to eat in the region: The Daily Catch Restaurant. At 214 Main Street, this charming restaurant overlooks the picturesque harbour of Griquet and offers breathtaking views — with, as a bonus, the chance of watching icebergs drift through the bay while you eat! As the name says, the specialty is ultimate freshness: the fish and seafood come straight from the wharf to the plate! We feasted on a 100% Newfoundland spread: plump, juicy mussels, halibut as tender as could be, and above all the famous fish & chips, made with the fresh cod of the day — considered by many to be among the best on the whole island! The crisp batter, the fish melting in your mouth… pure happiness. On the drinks side, a real favourite: their house beer (a fine craft IPA, brewed on site). Perfect alongside the seafood dishes! And for anyone who wants the full Newfoundland experience, don't miss the famous Iceberg Beer from the Quidi Vidi microbrewery in St. John's — brewed with water from 20,000-year-old icebergs floating in Atlantic waters. A light, crystalline, refreshing lager that owes its unique taste to the exceptional purity of its glacial water. A taste memory you bring home straight from Newfoundland!
Special mention as well for their signature cocktails: the famous Iceberg Martini (with real iceberg ice, yes, really!) and the Viking Mule — perfect for staying on theme!
A small bonus: live music every Wednesday evening, a friendly atmosphere, warm service and a sweeping view of the harbour. Open from May 1 to October 5. An address to put on your list without fail when you pass through northern Newfoundland!
Gros Morne National Park
Heading south now, bound for Gros Morne National Park, one of the finest parks in Canada. On the west coast of Newfoundland, this 1,805 km² park has been UNESCO World Heritage since 1987 thanks to its exceptional geological features. Here, nature tells 500 million years of the planet's history! The landscapes are so varied you'd think they came from different countries — or even from another planet! Glacial fjords, dizzying 600-metre cliffs, table mountains (the Tablelands), coastal trails, pebble beaches, green lowlands… Don't miss the historic Lobster Cove Head lighthouse either, the climb up Gros Morne Mountain (17 km, demanding but memorable, with a 360° view from the summit), the picturesque village of Woody Point, and of course the Tablelands (see below). A park to explore over at least 3 to 4 days to really enjoy it!
Sleeping at the Gros Morne / Norris Point KOA Holiday
To set your bags down in the heart of the park, it's hard to beat the Gros Morne / Norris Point KOA Holiday — the first and only KOA in Newfoundland and Labrador! Tucked into a wooded valley on the shore of a magnificent mountain lake, a few minutes from Norris Point and Rocky Harbour, this campground is a small haven of peace, ideally located. The KOA offers 101 sites (several with full hookups and a KOA Patio®), 8 camping cabins, 2 Deluxe cabins with a full bathroom and — a real favourite — 4 geodesic domes (glamping) with a private hot tub! Rates run between $29 and $200 depending on the type of accommodation. Open from May 1 to October 31. On site: the "Moose Path" trail along the lake, a playground, a dog park, kayak and canoe rentals, interpretive activities (kayak outings in the glacier-carved fjords, interpretive hikes for children), excellent Wi-Fi, spotless showers, campfires and sing-along evenings. In short, everything you need for a pleasant, well-equipped stay!
A walk in the Tablelands
The most fascinating attraction in the park — and one of the most incredible geological sites in the world! The Tablelands are a desert plateau in orange and red tones, almost without vegetation. It literally looks like you're walking on… Mars! And for good reason: this site is one of the only places on earth where the planet's mantle is visible at the surface. Half a billion years ago, the collision of continents pushed up these rocks normally buried beneath the crust — it's this peridotite, rich in iron and magnesium and toxic to most plants, that gives the area its unique Martian colours. The Tablelands trail is perfect for a first immersion: 4 km round trip, nearly flat, wide and easy, climbing gently toward a magnificent viewpoint over the valley. Count on about 1 h 30 to 2 h to enjoy it properly. It's the best way to grasp the full geological significance of the site — and in fact it's largely thanks to the Tablelands that the park earned its UNESCO status! To really understand what you're looking at, stop first at the Discovery Centre in Woody Point, just before the trailhead. A very well-made 20-minute film explains the geology and history of the site — essential for taking in the scale of what you see afterwards!
