Newfoundland and Labrador may look like a mid-sized island on a map, but it's actually a vast place with lots of open country. Approximately 29, 000 kilometres of shoreline wrap around our communities, trails, forests, parks, and historic sites. It's a big place, so keep in mind you can't wake up in St. John's and have breakfast in Gros Morne National Park. You'll need to plan your way.
Here's what you need to know about our geography: there are two parts to the province, Newfoundland is an island, and Labrador is connected to mainland Canada and borders the province of Quebec. To connect to the island from Labrador and vice versa, you can either take a coastal boat, or fly via intra-provincial airline.
To give you a better idea, Newfoundland and Labrador is more than three times the total area of the Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) and would rank fourth in size behind Alaska, Texas, and California if it were one of the United States. It's almost one-and-three-quarter times the size of Great Britain.
When planning a trip here, remember: while there are many ways to travel around the province, it takes planning and forethought. Book as much in advance as possible and plan your itinerary; demand is high for car rentals, accommodations and ferry services during peak season.
By Air
Newfoundland and Labrador is served by both scheduled airlines and charter services, and can be reached via national and international connections. Our province is home to two international airports – located in St. John's and Gander – as well as domestic airports in Deer Lake, Stephenville, St. Anthony in Newfoundland, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Churchill Falls and Wabush in Labrador. These airports are destinations for many major airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter, as well as the locally-owned and -operated Provincial Airlines.
If you’re visiting western Newfoundland, your most efficient access point would be through Deer Lake. Similarly, St. John’s is the best access point for those visiting the Avalon Peninsula and eastern Newfoundland. Gander would be best for those visiting Central Newfoundland. St. Anthony would be best for those visiting northern Newfoundland. Blanc Sablon, on the Labrador-Quebec border, serves southeastern Labrador, while Happy Valley-Goose Bay is ideal for central Labrador and those taking charters north, and Wabush serves western Labrador. The airport at Churchill Falls serves that community and nearby hunting and fishing lodges.
By Car and Ferry
Located at the most easterly edge of North America, Newfoundland and Labrador makes for a great road-trip destination. Most car travellers access the province by Marine Atlantic ferries, which operate between Nova Scotia and the island of Newfoundland. These superferries carry hundreds of vehicles and passengers to two entry points. There is a year-round, daily service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, in southwestern Newfoundland, and a June to September service between North Sydney and Argentia, Newfoundland (which is a 90-minute drive from the capital city of St. John's).
Steven Marenick