(click here to find Woody Point on the map)
The Post Office says Bonne Bay, but it's Woody Point. Bonne Bay, NL is made up of Woody Point, Curzon Village and Winter House Brook. Locally everybody calls it Woody Point. Woody Point is the central community in the southern section of Gros Morne National Park. It is located on Bonne Bay across from Norris Point. As recently as the 1940's, Woody Point was the main community for all of Western Newfoundland (much like Corner Brook is today). The road ended in Woody Point. You had to take a ferry to cross Bonne Bay to Norris Point, before you could go further north by land. Locals tell us that they can remember long lines of cars waiting for the ferry in Woody Point.
Woody Point was completely destroyed by a fire in 1922. It went through some hard times, but was rebuilt. Today's town is one of the prettiest that you will see in all of Newfoundland, set on Bonne Bay, with The Tablelands as a backdrop.
Cruise ships stop here in the summer now and the town has developed some nice gift stores and diners.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
Pete's One Stop Shop is where you can get groceries, booze and just about anything else you need.
Aunt Jane's Place is a Bed & Breakfast with a unique gift store/museum that anybody can visit while in town.
Galliott Studios has a neat selection of crafts and gifts. They also have a wine bar and they'll make you up a cheese plate for a snack.
The Merchant Warehouse is a great place for lunch or dinner. It has one section that's a 50's style diner and a larger area that's a full service licensed restaurant. It has nice views of Bonne Bay. If you're lucky you'll see a whale off their deck. They have exceptional food and service.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
Further up Water Street which is the main drag for tourists, you'll find a large fish plant, some beautifully restored homes and another gift store. There's lots of great places to take photos.
On the main road in Woody Point there is The Molly Made Fibre Art Studio with a great gift shop. The primary focus is traditional rug hooking.
On the outside of town in Winter House Brook on the road back to Shoal Brook, you'll find the Hunky Dory Folk Art Store. Charlie and Joan Payne sell their own work along with some very nice items from other artists. We had a nice chat with Charlie, who also plays the traditional button accordian. He is from the area and can fill you in on a lot of the history. You can buy Charlie's CD's at the Interpretation Centre, which is on the road to Trout River.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
