Dildo
is an ideal location to stay and take day trips to
various parts of the Avalon Peninsula which contains
almost 50% of the population of the province. The
Avalon Peninsula has four quadrants - the Baccalieu
Trail forms the northwestern quadrant, the Admirals'
Coast is in the centre, the Killick Cost in the
northeastern quadrant, the city of St. John's is at
the edge of the Atlantic Ocean along the eastern side,
the Irish Loop is in the southeastern quadrant, and
the Cape Shore forms the the southeastern quadrant.
The Avalon Peninsula is steeped in
history and cradled in cultural heritage. Besides
having thousands of years of native settlement, the
Avalon is one of the parts of North America first
visited by Europeans of many nations. It is the home
of the first English colony in Canada, Cupids, which
was established in 1610. Most communities to this day,
retain English and Irish heritage in music, stories,
accents and foods.
The mix of urban and rural
communities provide many contrasting scenes and
activities. Largerurban areas such as St. John's,
Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South (CBS), and Paradise
are among the fastest growing areas in Atlantic
Canada. The remainder of the Avalon is made up of
"outport" towns and communities which retain a slow
place of life and traditional activities.
St. John's and Area
St. John's, the capital city, and its twin city of
Mount Pearl have many of the features of modern
North American cities, but they are still unique in
terms of way that people speak, the entertainment,
and the scenery. From the city you can visit Cape
Spear, the most easterlypoint in North America.
Cabot Tower Dominates the City
Day and Night
The Rooms - Provincial Museum
Features Modern Architecture
The Avalon Peninsula is a large diverse area. You can
find maps and travel guides to each of the "scenic touring
routes" on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tourism Site.
The George House Heritage Bed and Breakfast is
located on the Baccalieu Trail. "Baccalieu" means
salt cod, and for centuries descendents of Europeans
have lived in this region to fish for and salt cod.
Artifacts (some of which are more than 4000 years
old) from inhabitation by native people have been
found by the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation.
Today, the population of the region is about 40,000
people, all of whom live in small towns and
communities. There are many festivals and events in
the region, especially during summer months
The Admirals' Coast
The Manuels River Linear Park
A Key to the Theory of Plate Tectonics, or
Continental Drift
The Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club
is in Manuals, and the Willows Golf Course is in
Holyrood.
The Admirals' Coast is a study in
contrasts. The rocky harbours and bays contrast with
the idyllic rural communities which are among the best
farming areas in the province, with good soil and the
best weather conditions on the Avalon Peninsula.
Peaceful rural communities, such as Harbour Main,
contrast with fast growing urban centres, such as
Paradise and CBS, which are are among the fastest
growing urban areas in Canada.
The Killick Coast
Bell Island Light House
Trapper's Cove, Torbay
The Killick Coast stretches from
Portugal Cove - St. Phillips to Logy Bay at the tip of
the Northern part of the Avalon Peninsula just outside
St. John's. (Bell Island, which has some of the most
spectacular scenery in the province, can be reached by
a short boat ride.) The people of these fishing and
farming communities have held to their rural roots and
rural way of life despite being so close to the city.
The Irish Loop
Sea Kayaking
near the East Coast Trail
La Manche Provincial Park
Hiking Trail, Wild Life, Plants
The Irish Loop contains a large
portion of the East Coast Hiking Trail. The Trail
wanders through small communities and along the
shoreline. The area is known for its whale and puffin
boat tours and for sea kayaking.
The Cape Shore
Placentia: Old French Capital
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve
The Cape Shore is famous for the
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, where the visitor
can walk almost within touching distance of the large
bird colonies which nest on the large rock at the edge
of the cliff.
