Not including the territories, the province that most Canadian travellers visit last is Newfoundland and Labrador, which is a shame because it really should be the one they visit first.
Known for its rugged coastlines and unparalleled hospitality, most visitors are drawn to the spectacular scenery of Gros Morne or the charm of St. John’s, but there is so much more to see and do in the province that you will find yourself exhausted trying to plan a manageable itinerary. To add to your exhaustion, here are three lesser-known Newfoundland experiences that I think shouldn’t be missed.
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Walk among the world’s oldest fossils at Mistaken Point
It’s not every day you get to walk on a 565-million-year-old seabed, but that’s exactly what you can do at Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve. Tucked away on the southeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula in the eastern part of the province. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the oldest known fossils of complex multicellular life on Earth and is part of an ancient seabed that once lay deep beneath the ocean.
Accessible only via guided tour (to protect the fragile fossil beds), a visit to Mistaken Point feels like stepping back into a prehistoric chapter of Earth’s story. The hike to the site is scenic and moderately challenging, but don’t expect giant dinosaur bone when you get there. If you walked here on your own, you might not even notice the leaf-like impressions of the Ediacaran biota embedded in the rock, but the site’s guides help you spot and interpret the mysterious remnants of ancient life that once lived here.
As a bonus, Cape Race is 15 minutes away, which is home to the lighthouse that once housed the Marconi station that received the first distress call from the doomed passenger ship
Titanic.
Time travel to a Viking port at Norstead
Everyone knows L’Anse aux Meadows as the only authenticated Norse site in North America and it really shouldn’t be missed, but just down the road, Norstead Viking Village brings that history vividly to life. This recreated Viking port of trade lets you experience the daily life of the Norse people who arrived here over a thousand years ago, long before Columbus was even born.
Costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, boat building, weaving, and cooking, and you can even step aboard a full-scale replica of the Snorri, a Viking knarr that sailed from Greenland to Newfoundland in 1998. It’s hands-on, educational, and just plain fun, especially for families or anyone who’s ever been fascinated by Viking lore. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the Parks Canada historic site, but I recommend visiting Norstead afterwards because if you’re travelling with kids, they won’t want to leave!
Meet Newfoundland’s endearing Indigenous horse
Newfoundland has its own pony, and it’s not just cute, it’s a living piece of the province’s heritage. The Newfoundland Pony, once vital to rural life for plowing, hauling and transportation, nearly disappeared in the 1980s due to mechanization and crossbreeding. Today, thanks to dedicated efforts, these sturdy, gentle animals are making a comeback.
One of the best places to meet them is the Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary on Change Island. Run by a nonprofit that promotes the protection and preservation of this rare breed, the sanctuary offers a unique chance to connect with the ponies, learn about their history and even sponsor one. It’s a heartwarming stop that’s as much about conservation as it is about connection.
https://www.nlponysanctuary.org
