This reddit is for anyone who loves Newfoundland and Labrador and would like to discuss current events or just chat among fellow Newfoundland-redditors.
Hello,
So I am going to be visiting solo from Alberta at the start of June. I have booked my flight from Edmonton to St Johns, arriving on Saturday 1 June, and then leaving from Deer Lake on Saturday 8 June.
So I had a few questions about my trip (note I will be solo and not getting a car):
a) I had booked to stay for four nights in St Johns. Is that too much? I land super early on the 1 June so wanted to give myself some time to rest.
b) Is it possible in SJ to rent a bike - I was wanting to bike to the most easterly point of Canada, but google has some limited suggestions.
c) Is there anything in particular that I should be looking at in St Johns?
d) I plan on taking the bus from St Johns to Deer Lake (https://drl-lr.com/schedule-and-fares/) - has anyone got any experience in taking that bus?
e) I am going to be staying in Rocky Harbour - how do I get from Deer Lake to Rocky Harbour? I read something online that there are shuttles from Deer Lake to Rocky Harbour - is that true? How much would a taxi be?
f) My flight leaves Deer Lake at 7am on the Saturday. How much would an early morning taxi be from Rocky Harbour? Or am I better off staying in Deer Lake on the Friday?
g) Is two full days enough in Rocky Harbour?
I am so excited to visit - been on the bucket list for so long! If there is anything else that I am missing, please let me know!
Sort by:
Top
Open comment sort options
Best
Top
New
Controversial
Old
Q&A
Newfoundland is very car-centric. You won't have an easy time getting around without one. For visiting St. John's, most of what you'd want to see is within walking distance from downtown. Signal Hill is not somewhere you're going to be biking - that involves a very steep, narrow road with a lot of twists and turns. It's definitely not easy, and I wouldn't consider it safe. Get a cab up there. Or uber. We have uber as of last week.
The DRL is like a more utilitarian Greyhound. There aren't bus stations. Most of the stops are just gas stations on the highway. I don't know how to get to and from Rocky Harbour without a car, though Parks Canada gives two phone numbers for taxi services.
I mean you can walk up signal hill if you’re in the mood for a hike and want to save money on cab/up for the scenic route. Biking would probably be sketchy though you’re right lol
Thanks!
Cars are all sold out for the week!
I highly recommend renting a car from deer lake airport to Rocky harbour. It’s about a 45 minute drive, but if you want to actually explore Gros Morne and the area you’ll pretty much need a car.
When you’re in St. John’s, I suggest taking a boat tour (if they’re operating) as it should be iceberg season. Take a hike around Signal Hill. Visit some pubs and enjoy the music!
The bus that goes across the island is slow and stops frequently… just a heads up… Im sure there’s somewhere you can rent a bike… St. John’s to Cape spear is a long ride!! Wouldn’t recommend biking that far alone… Not intending to be negative But don’t want you to get yourself in a predicament!
Getting around Downtown St. John's without a car is fine. Renting an ebike for your trip to Cape Spear will be fine as well. Bring clothes for fall weather as early June in St. John's can still be cool. (10C-15C)
Going to Rocky Harbour/Gros Morne without a vehicle is completely asinine though. Nothing, and I mean nothing is walking distance from each other. Most but not everything will be open as the season doesn't truly start until later in June. Most sites in the area are 15-20+ minute drives from each other. I would book something NOW with Pittmans Taxi 709-458-2486 or Martins 709-453-2207 because otherwise you will be hiking the 70+ km to Rocky Harbour.
Are there any recommended places to Rent an E-bike! Thanks for the recommendations - I am staying at an Adventure Hostel so hopefully something will come through on that.
Just a suggestion but with no vehicle in Gros Morne, I’d switch it up from Rocky Harbour to visiting Norris Point/Woody Point. Tablelands are close by, water taxi back and forth between the two communities and it’s a bit closer to Deer Lake. More to see and experience in my opinion than Rocky Harbour without a car.
a) Probably the perfect amount of time to spend in town. Assuming you are staying downtown area, but if not would advocate for that - public transport isn’t great and it’s not a terribly bike friendly city.
b) As per other comments. Would note that Viking to Cape Spear can be dangerous - people fly down the road and it’s not in great condition. There is no proper shoulder to bike on. It’s doable but would highly recommend wearing Hi Vis and being very aware of your surroundings.
c) Get screeched in, explore George street, hike signal hill, Quidi vidi brewery. Lots of hiking in the area and June is a good time for it. Boat tour
d) DRL is a long haul. But will get you there.
e) Would second the car rental here. You can call your accommodations and ask about shuttle services, I imagine that is a seasonal thing. Calling Rock Harbour/ Gros Morne tourism would likely be very helpful. Taxi will likely be pricey and not having a car would mean you won’t get to take advantage of the area.
f) 100%. Stay in deer lake the night before. Deer lake is a super tiny airport - so you only really need to arrive an hour before your flight, but would not be trying to get a taxi the morning before (unless booked well in advanced). Could even stay in Corner Brook the night before - there will be much more to do on a Friday night. Wouldn’t be any problem to schedule a taxi to the airport from corner brook for a Saturday morning.
g) Depends how much hiking you’re looking to do.
Feel free to dm if you have any questions. I’m from the West Coast of Newfoundland but live in St. John’s and I’m happy to help.
Thanks for the detailed response! Is it best to hike to Cape Sear instead. Car rental is unfortunately all sold out. Thanks for all of the recommendations!
A lot of people get cabs to Cape Spear, could even get an Uber. If you like hiking there’s a nice trail that takes you from Cape Spear to Fort Amherst, it’s about 14km. I would recommend taking that back to town. It takes you all along the coast line and you would come out in a spot where it’s not bad to walk back to the downtown area. Map is easily found online.
Thanks! Is the sunrise there worth it? I was thinking of getting an Uber there, then hiking back!
It all depends on the weather/day. We get a lot of fog and cloudy days here - so this time of year you can’t always guaranteed a sunrise/sunset. I think it’s more of the novelty of saying you’ve watched the sunrise about as far east as you can go in North America.
Cape Spear is 15-16km from downtown, so I would say it's hills and not the distance that will give you a workout. There's an e-bike rental shop on Water street. I don't think the other bike shops do rentals (Canary on Harvey Rd., FreeRide on Water st.).