Visitor Guide
How To Find Elliston
The town of Elliston is situated in Newfoundland & Labrador, the most easterly province in Canada. Specifically, we are located in Trinity Bay on the north eastern tip of the historic Bonavista Peninsula just a few minutes away from also historic Bonavista.
Elliston can be reached by turning off the Trans-Canada Highway in the vicinity of Clarenville onto Route 230A or 230. Travelling on 230 and turning off on 238 (entrance to Elliston) at the average speed of 69.4 km/h it will take 1 hour and 36 minutes traversing 111 km.
If you fly in at St. John’s International Airport and drive here it will take 3 hours and 33 minutes, at the average speed of 87.9 km/h, traversing 312 km. From Gander International Airport the drive will take 2 hours and 55 minutes, at the average speed of 82.6 km/h, traversing 241 km. Local taxi services regularly make trips to and from the capital city (St. John's).
The island of Newfoundland can also be accessed by sea. A link is maintained by Marine Atlantic between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. During the summer, an additional run is provided between Argentia, Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Elliston is 3 hours and 13 minutes, at the average speed of 83.3 km/h, traversing 268 km by road from the Marine Atlantic Ferry terminal in Argentia. It is 8 hours and 41 minutes, at the average speed of 92.3 km/h, traversing 809 km from the Port Aux Basques terminal.
Points of Interest
CLICK HERE* for a PRINTABLE MAP (in Adobe Reader) of the Elliston & Maberly area.
The Elliston area has much to offer the visitor and the above printable map highlights points of interest. It is a useful aid to bring with you since wireless coverage is somewhat less than 100% in our area. We also recommend checking out Google maps (see below) as well as the Distance Finder provided by the Provincial Government. Here are few locations of interest but there are far more in our community, nevertheless, this makes for a good starting point.
Maberly to Little Catalina Trail (Printable Map Reference #1)
The "Maberly to Little Catalina Trail" provides one of the best hikes anywhere. It is 16.5 km in length and contains many items of interest such as the breath-taking scenery. Experience scenic Flower's Cove, the site of many a "boil up." Likewise, if hiking from the Little Catalina, note the rocks just offshore at the beginning of the trail known as the "Shag Rocks." This is the site of the shipwreck of the Ella Rudolph. From either starting the point this trail is something that must be seen to be appreciated.
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The Puffin Train (Printable Map Reference #2)
The Puffin Train is a colourful, yet unusual attraction located at Maberly, a short distance past the actual Puffin Viewing Site. It is a large mock-up of a train from the fictional puffin railroad featuring the Puffin Express. These cartoon like train cars have both puffin staff and passengers. There is even an empty place that serves as the perfect location for a person to include themselves as a passenger on the Puffin Express. It is a must see for the visitor that desires a fun, lighthearted souvenir photo and it’s free! If you like puffins it is surely something worth looking at! Also at this location is the Puffin Souvenir Craft Shop that offers a unique collection of handmade items that are made locally. It is one of those old fashion stores that you don’t see anymore. It has been built along the old-style pattern of stores that once existed throughout Newfoundland.
Movie Site & Fish Flake (Printable Map Reference #3)
See where scenes for the Grand Seduction, staring Taylor Kitsch, was filmed. A large replica fish flake is at this location that was also included in the film.
Lookout Site (Printable Map Reference #4)
The Maberly Look Out site was once known as Maberly Provincial Park for a very short time in its history. Today is nice spot to stop and view South Bird Island as well as a wonderful place to host a picnic.
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Upstairs/Downstairs Root Cellars (Printable Map Reference #5 and best views are in the Maberly Loop Area)
The root cellar was the initial item that put Elliston, so to speak, on the map. A root cellar is a structure that was built in the days before electricity in order to keep vegetables from freezing in the winter months and to keep its contents cool during the warm summer months. They can be found all throughout our area and is Elliston’s original claim to fame although the upstairs/downstairs root cellars built in 1915 make for the best photos at this location.
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Puffin Viewing Site (Printable Map Reference #6)
The Puffin is the official bird of Newfoundland & Labrador and Elliston has one of the closest land views of puffins in North America. Our puffin viewing site is just a short five-minute walk from the main road and is also roughly halfway between Sandy Cove Beach and Puffin Train in Maberly. It is amazing to be able to walk up close to puffin and take some exceptional photos. Puffins return to the area in May and usually stay until the end of September. It is something worth checking out!
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Municipal Park & Camp Ground (Printable Map Reference #7)
The Elliston Municipal Park has hosted many picnics, outings, camping activities, festivals, and local special events. Over the years the park's infrastructure has been renovated to add a stage, related structures, fencing and upgraded camping lots to accommodate large RVs
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Sandy Cove Beach (Printable Map Reference #8)
Elliston has many attractions to offer the visitor; however, one of its best natural features is its beautiful sandy beach. This beach boasts a freshwater brook, a refreshment stand, and nearby camping facilities at the municipal park.
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Mini-Dungeon (Printable Map Reference #9)
Elliston has what many people may describe as a Mini-Dungeon (aka Blow Hole) located not too far from Sandy Cove. This hollow in the ground was caused through the process of erosion over many years and is similar to Bonavista's Dungeon but on a smaller scale.
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Sealers Memorial Statue/Memorial Wall (Printable Map Reference #10)
A memorial statue, representation of father and son Reuben and Albert John Crewe, who froze to death during the 1914 SS Newfoundland Sealing Disaster, is located on Porter’s Point with its beautiful ocean vista. Although it depicts specific individuals it is representative of all sealing tragedies and is larger than life! It was constructed by renowned bronze sculptor and visual artist Morgan MacDonald. In addition, there is a Granite Memorial Wall listing all those lost during the SS Newfoundland Sealing Disaster and those aboard the SS Southern Cross that were all lost during the same tragic storm in 1914. It is another must see before leaving Elliston.
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Post Office (Printable Map Reference #11)
Local Canada Post Office.
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Elliston Recreation Centre & Playground (Printable Map Reference #12)
The Elliston Recreation Centre has hosted a great many local functions and has a beautiful mural painted along its entire length. The adjacent playground is a fun place for younger child to have a nice time.
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Sealers Interpretation Centre (Printable Map Reference #13)
This is definitely a must see for those interested in the long and interesting history of the seal hunt in all its glory. Upon entering Elliston from any direction there is only one place to stop first – John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre. It is centrally located on Main Street and you must pass it to reached Elliston’s well known Puffin Viewing Site and many other attractions. This thoroughly modern centre has a great deal of beautiful artwork, exceptional displays, handicap accessible washrooms and a special immersive area that will simulate standing offshore on an ice flow! Frankly, you will not see anything of this caliber outside of St. John’s and the Provincial “Rooms” museum/art gallery.
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St. Mary's Anglican Church (Printable Map Reference #14)
Built in 1872 St. Mary's Anglican Church, in Elliston, is a good example of the Gothic Revival style and a registered historic site.
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United Church (Printable Map Reference #15)
The United Church records show that construction on this church began in 1901 and was officially dedicated on May 18, 1902. The bell in the Elliston United Church was donated by Captain Abram Kean, an infamous character in the 1914 Newfoundland Disaster.
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Coles' Gulch (Printable Map Reference #16)
Coles' Gulch was an important fishing area on the North Side of Elliston. A reconstruction of typical fish flake is located at this site.
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Klondike Trail (Printable Map Reference #17)
The "Klondike Trail" located on the Northern section of town is well known. This trail was regularly used years ago as a horse and cart trail, leading from Elliston to the community of Spillars Cove. Today this trail provides a scenic walk for the adventurer.
Prepare For Your Visit
Before you make any plans to visit our wonderful community, there are a few matters that you may wish to take into consideration when planning your day. We strongly recommend that you review many of these tips and pointers to make sure that you are well prepared and that your visit isn't met with any unexpected challenges
1.) Navigating Trails and Beyond
Elliston is home to a variety of walking trails. In addition, many people like to venture off the beaten path as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind should you choose to adventure on foot. If you are not used to walking trails or navigating rugged terrain, please keep in mind that sections of trails or rock formations along the coast may contain tripping hazards or could be slippery depending on the weather conditions. We recommend dressing appropriately for any on or off-path exploration, especially when it comes to footwear. Should you venture towards the cliffs around town, please take heed that the edge often looks more solid then it actually is. The edge of a cliff may be covered in grass that doesn't have solid ground beneath it, making it both slippery and unstable. We recommend staying at least a few of steps away from the edge of any cliff out of an abundance of caution, as many of our cliffside views feature steep drops should you venture out too close. Should you venture off the beaten path, please take the proper precautions and bring the proper supplies for wilderness exploration. We recommend sticking to local paths and open areas where possible unless you are exploring with someone familiar with the area.
2.) Wildlife Observation Etiquette
Much of our local wildlife can be seen up close, especially when it comes to Puffins at the Puffin Viewing Site. However in order to preserve this luxury, we have some recommendations on proper etiquette when observing local wildlife. We ask that visitors take measures to enjoy our wildlife from a distance. Should you encounter puffins, foxes or any other animal, we recommend not making physical contact with them. Puffins have a natural coating on their feathers that help them deflect water, allowing them fly with greater ease in wetter climates. Physical contact often affects this coating and thus may put the puffins at greater risk of harm. Physical contact of other animals may encourage them to venture closer to public roadways which can also endanger both the wildlife and the general public. Use caution and observe from a non-disruptive distance. In a similar vein, we also do not want to disturb the natural routines of our local wildlife. Please do not feed or otherwise coax the local wildlife for photo opportunities as it can throw off an animals' hunter-gatherer instincts, impeding their ability to survive on their own. This is especially important when it comes to foxes and other small animals as they may begin approaching people and vehicles, creating a potentially dangerous situation for all involved. Please be respectful of others while visiting, especially on the puffin site. Puffins will often fly across from their island colony and may visit the same cliffside observation area that you are standing on. Approaching too close or making too much noise may scare them away, and we want everyone to have an opportunity to see them and capture any photos or videos they wish to take. We also discourage bringing your pets down to the observation area for much of the same reason. Ultimately, we ask visitors to not be disruptive and to be considerate of the other visitors around them.
3.) Weather Considerations
Anyone familiar with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador will tell you that it isn't unusual to experience multiple seasons worth of weather in a single day. With this in mind, we do recommend packing clothing suitable to the changing conditions, such as a rain coat or other water-resistant apparel. Umbrellas can be useful but be mindful of high winds and wind gusts that could damage them. Given that there's no guarantee that you will see a whale or iceberg or even the puffins up close, it may be wise to plan for more than one day in our area if sightseeing is your main cause for visiting our community as we do regularly experience foggy days, especially during the spring and fall. We recommend taking a day to also experience things like our Sealer's Interpretation Museum or perhaps some of the many attractions in nearby Bonavista. This way you can rearrange the activities for each day of your visit should you encounter a grey, foggy day or some less than ideal rain showers.
4.) Cellular Service
Due to the tall ridges separating the communities of Elliston and Bonavista, the cell phone reception in our community can be hit or miss. While this does present a great opportunity to disconnect and get in touch with nature, in the digital age this can also present some difficulties. Here are some things to take into consideration as a result: ​If you are coordinating your visit with a larger group, calling and texting may prove to be unreliable. Some visitors choose to bring walkie-talkies for communication across short distances, but these should be used sparingly, so as not to disrupt others or disturb the natural wildlife. We recommend coordinating your visit ahead of time or to make plans to visit a local establishment offering free Wi-Fi at some stage of your visit. Should internet or phone services in the area encounter any unexpected outages, we recommend bringing a quantity of physical cash if you wish to make any purchases. Some local businesses in more rural areas may not have internet or cellular services, and as such would be cash-only.
