Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park on the shores of Bonavista Bay south-east of Gander was carved by glaciers and features wooded hills and indented coastline, with deep, narrow fiords extending far inland. In spring the coastal waters are dotted with icebergs carried down by the Labrador current.

The Park supports a rich and varied wildlife. While animals such as black bear and moose can often be seen from the road others including beaver, red fox, lynx and Canada geese are best observed by taking to the 80 km (50 mi.) of hiking trails.

The Park offers a host of leisure facilities including canoeing, cycling, angling, cross-country skiing, and a 9-hole golf course by the sea. It also boasts some very attractive camp sites.

There are two swimming area in the park (Sandy Pond - a shallow freshwater beach for kids' swimming and kayaking/canoeing and Malady Head Day Use Area (aka Burnt Point) - a small peaceful salt water beach a short walk from 1 of 2 campgrounds. These beaches, however, are not the most beautiful in the area. Sandy Cove and Eastport (2 neighbouring communities) have amazing, long, sandy salt-water beaches. The water is not as warm as more southern locations but still suitable for swimming.

The Park's Visitor Centre features a Marine

Interpretation Centre (open May to November) with aquariums, a touch tank, an underwater camera and much more.