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(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
To reach Twillingate you will go north on HWY 330 from TCH (Trans Canada Highway) in Gander. After about 40 km take HWY 331 Northwest. When you reach HWY 340 turn right onto it and head north. Using a number of causeways you will cross over to New World Island, and finally to South Twillingate Island. On your left, as you are crossing the bridge you will see the Prime Berth Fishing Heritage Centre. It is an amazing place, privately owned by a family and built as a tribute to their fisher forefathers. Short of going out in a boat and harvesting the fish yourself this is the closest you are going to get to knowing and understanding what it was like to earn a livelihood in this manner.
Continue on HWY 340 until you reach Twillingate. You will have gone across South Twillingate Island from the southeast corner to the northwest corner. The town wraps around the southern end of Twillingate Harbour. We stayed at a B&B called Captains Legacy, where the accommodations, food and service was fantastic. In addition, as you sat out front you had a clear view of the harbour and town.
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We were told to take in All Around the Circle Dinner Theatre in Crow Head. It is on Hwy 340, North of Twillingate, at the north end of North Twillingate Island. When we arrived a number of people were busy taking tickets and confirming our seats. Once seated the same group of people began to bring out our food and provide sevice during the meal. The same group then proceeded to clear the tables. By this time we already knew all the people sitting around us, where they were from, places to check out and hearing stories about the islanders and their kindness and humour. A few of these people had seen the show earlier in the week and were back for more! Finally the show began, the actors, being the same people who had been serving us all evening! Turns out they did all the cooking too! The show was extremely funny, entertaining, self depricating, the singing and music playing were true to Newfoundland. We had a wonderful evening. We now make a point of looking into any local dinner theatres that might be running when we are in a new area.
We took a boat tour with Iceberg Quest Tours to check out icebergs one afternoon. Once you leave the protection of the harbour the waters can get rough. Always have gravol on hand just in case. Even on a warm day, out on the open water, hats, gloves and even an extra sweater can come in handy. Once again the service and the staff were excellent. They welcome the opportunity to increase your appreciation of their home. They have a lovely gift store on land and by now the cafe they were building is complete. We did see an iceberg in the cove across the road from the Prime Berth Centre. Tell me it does not look like a dragon!
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
Like everywhere else in Newfoundland there are hiking trails in abundance. The first one we did is part of the Long Point Lighthouse Trail System. You simply take Hwy 340 north to the lighthouse. The trail is just behind it. We followed the trail southward along the coast. You are walking along the top of high cliffs. Do not walk too close to the edge, it is undercut and can break away. It is quite wide open and windy here. The trail will take you down to Sleepy Cove. While the trail does continue we turned back at this point. It is a bit of a climb back up. We were there in June and what I found amazing were the tiny irises that were growing at the cliffs edge in gravel. They grow their plants tough in Newfoundland.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
When you are in the town you will notice a massive cross on a hill that overlooks the town. While not referenced as a trail you can follow your nose and climb the hill. Take Smiths Trail Rd to the west past the causeway linking to North Twillingate Island. It is quite uneven ground but from the top you get great views of the town. We were told the cross was erected by the Salvation Army.
The Hospital Pond Walking Trail was a relaxing amble, with a gravel trail encircling the pond behind the Twillingate Hospital. There are places to sit and enjoy the birds and flowers. There is even a swimming area. It is a great after dinner walk. You can get maps for the locations of the other trails in the area.
Following Main Street to the east you will go up a good sized hill (you are now in Durrell) and wind around to The Auk Island Winery in the building that formerly housed The Academy School of Durrell. These are wines made from local berries and they have regular tours and wine tastings. We enjoyed both activities and had a case of wine sent back to our home in London, Ontario. Auk Island Winery also has a gift store and a new suite that can be rented that sits above the winery.
If you drive just a bit further along Main Street you will come to Museum Road. Turn left and head for the red building at the top of the hill. This is the Durrell Museum and packed with interesting displays. It also provides an excellent view of the water and land around you.
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Between all the trails, museums, boat tours, gift stores and art galleries you could easily fill a week. Because of the town's size it has much more hustle and bustle than the other communities you come across in this part of Newfoundland.
Hikes of Western Newfoundland by Katie Broadhurst and Alexandra Fortin is an excellent guide if you like to do trails. The book covers Western and Central Newfoundland as far east as Twillingate. They don't cover every trail, that's almost impossible. You'll find information on a good range of trails that you should consider.
You start with the area map where they show the trails that are covered by the book. The pages about each trail include GPS co-ordinates of the trailhead and a good map of the trail. They also tell you the level of difficulty and distances.
We bought a copy ahead of our June 2015 trip to scout out the trails we wanted to do ahead of time. The book is available on Amazon and you can purchase it through this link.