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​​​​​​​​Southern Avalon Tourism Association
The Irish Loop
We have Whales, Trails and Irish Tales to share with you!
Heritage
The Southern Avalon is rich in history and heritage. Settled as far back as the 1500's, influences of old French, English, and Irish prevail. The Irish were the last to colonize the area and still have a significant cultural influence in the region. In keeping with this heritage the Southern Avalon also hosts a traditional Newfoundland Irish Concert by the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council in Ferryland, and the Tramore Theatre Troupe in Cuslett performs scheduled plays by Agnes Walsh throughout the summer.
 Cape St. Mary's Ecological ReserveLocated about 200 km southwest of St. John's, Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve also known as "the Cape" is one of Newfoundland and Labrador's major seabird colonies. During the breeding season, it is home to 24,000 Northern gannet, 20,000 black-legged kittiwake, 20,000 common murre, and 2,000 thick-billed murre. In addition, more than 100 pairs of razorbill. Tel: 709-277-1666 GPS:46.823747, -54.193271 |  Cape SpearOverlooking a vast expanse of indigo ocean where glittering processions of icebergs glide by, Humpback whales breach and pods of porpoises send misty spouts into the Atlantic air. On North America’s easternmost point of land, historic Cape Spear Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, offers a glimpse into the lives of 19th century lighthouse keepers and their families. GPS:47.522460, -52.623900 |  Veterans Interpretation CenterThe Royal Canadian Legion at Riverhead in St. Mary’s Bay is now home to a small but impressive Veterans Interpretation Centre. Tel: 709-525-2712 Email: patriciahayward@hotmail.com GPS: 46.9805424, -53.5099199 |
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 Witless Bay Ecological ReserveThe reserve contains North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony. More than 260,000 pairs of the province's official bird nest here during the late spring and summer. The islands lie just a few kilometres off the east coast of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, between the communities of Bay Bulls and Bauline East, half an hour south of St. John's. |  Signal HillSt. John’s most popular landmark, Signal Hill, recalls the town’s historic past and communications triumph, as well as offering coastal hikes and colourful performances, against sweeping views overlooking the Atlantic. Signal Hill was the site of St. John’s harbour defences from the 17th century to the Second World War and where Guglielmo Marconi received the world’s first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. GPS: 47.570069, -52.681717 |  Father Duffy's WellFr. Duffy used to stop off and rest in a little clearing where there was a steady spring of fresh drinking water. The clearing was small, surrounded by trees and bushes and not far enough off the road to take him too far out of his way. Fr. Duffy could have a long drink of cold water and lie down on a grassy spot and rest his tired feet. Tel:709-521-2790 Fax:709-521-2292 Email: marjorie.gibbons@nf.sympatico.ca GPS: 47.27528, -53.275 |
 Colony of AvalonHave you ever walked on a 17th-century street, seen a 17th-century herb garden, or looked at the remains of everyday life in one of the earliest European colonies in North America? If you haven't, come to the Colony of Avalon at Ferryland, Newfoundland. Tel: 709-432-3200 Toll: 1-877-326-5669 Email: info@colonyofavalon.ca GPS: 47.023143, -52.883087 |  Railway Coastal MuseumCome in and join us! Enjoy the fascinating story of the great initiative, courage, and sacrifice involved in building and operating the Newfoundland Railway and Coastal Boat Services. The Railway Coastal Museum is housed in the original Riverhead Railway Station which was opened in 1903, and is located at 495 Water Street West in St. John's. Tel: 709-724-5929 Toll: 1-866-600-7245 Email: info@railwaycoastalmuseum.ca GPS: 47.554542 , -52.71354400000001 |  Mistaken Point Ecological ReserveEmbedded in the planes of Mistaken Point's tilted and cleaved mudstone and sandstone, exposed by the pounding of the Atlantic waves, are fossils of the oldest creatures—in fact, the oldest complex life forms—found anywhere on Earth. Known to scientists as the Ediacara biota, they are creatures that lived 575 to 542 million years ago, when all life was in the sea. Tel:709-438-1011 Email: edgeofavalon@nf.aibn.com GPS: 46.6291804 -53.17495120000001 |
 La Manche VillageLa Manche Village Path is an easy hike from Bauline East to the former settlement of La Manche ending at the suspension bridge. One major hill (gravel road) then a relatively flat wooded hike into the Provincial Park and on to the former settlement. This path is not a loop. GPS: 47.150968, -52.895972 |  Atlantic Charter MonumentThe Atlantic Charter was negotiated at the Atlantic Charter Conference (code named RIVERA) by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S.President Franklin D.Roosevelt,aboard their respective war ships in a secure anchorage site just several hundred yards from land near a small community called Ship harbor, Newfoundland and was issued as a joint declaration on August 14, 1941. GPS: 47.367888, -53.88755400000002 |  Castle HillStep back to a time when the fate of North America hung in the balance. Imagine cannons and muskets blazing as British and French forces battled on the shores of Newfoundland, vying for control of the lucrative fishery. Enter Castle Hill National Historic Site, a stone fort standing sentinel over a picturesque seaside town, and explore a chapter of history that determined the fate of a continent. GPS: 47.2509217, -53.97158139999999 |
 Cape Race Wireless MuseumCape Race on the southern tip of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula figures prominently in almost every re-telling or depiction of Titanic’s final hours. Most people who have followed the Titanic’s history know that the doomed ship was in near constant communication with Cape Race on its Marconi wireless prior to hitting the iceberg as passengers passed along greetings and business messages to folks on land all over North America. Tel: 709-749-7301, 709-722-3123 GPS: 47.250921, -53.971581 |
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