Rocky Harbour

Rocky Harbour is one of the largest communities within Gros Morne National Park and is often considered the hub of the park. Located on the shores of Bonne Bay, it began as a small fishing village in the early 1800s, with families relying on the rich fishing grounds for their livelihood.  Today, while fishing remains par of the community’s identity, it has become a popular destination for visitors exploring Gros Morne National Park.

The town sits on Bonne Bay. Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, the bay stretches into the heart of Gros Morne National Park and is surrounded by mountains, forests, and rugged coastline.  We spent a lot of time just enjoying the scenery. The views over Bonne Bay, with the mountains in the distance, were beautiful and made Rocky Harbour a nice place to spend a few days.

Our plan for our time here was pretty simple - lots of relaxation, time to enjoy where we were, and exploring whenever the mood struck. After several busy days of sightseeing, it was nice to have a few days with no real agenda and just see where the day took us.

We spent some time wandering through the local shops, browsing handmade crafts, artwork, and Newfoundland souvenirs. I always enjoy looking through locally owned shops when we travel. You never know what you'll find, and it's a great way to support local artists and craftspeople while bringing home something unique.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

One of our favourite stops was the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. Built in 1962, it guided fishing boats safely along this rugged coastline for many years. Today, the restored lighthouse houses a small museum where you can learn about the area's fishing heritage, the history of the lighthouse, and the families who built their lives here.

While we were there, we were lucky enough to spot a minke whale swimming just offshore. We stood watching it for a while as it surfaced before continuing on its way.

We spent some time exploring beyond Rocky Harbour. One afternoon we drove over to nearby Norris Point for lunch at a restaurant overlooking Bonne Bay. The food was good, and the view was even better.  As we had no agenda we were able to sit and enjoy being there.

Like so many drives in Newfoundland, we were always watching the roadsides for wildlife. During one of our drives, we finally spotted a moose. We'd been hoping to see one throughout the trip, so it was exciting to finally cross that off our Newfoundland wish list.

No visit to Newfoundland would feel complete without experiencing some of its music and culture, so one evening we attended a traditional kitchen party. Years ago, family, friends, and neighbours would gather in someone's kitchen - the warmest room in the house - to play music, sing, tell stories, and enjoy each other's company. That tradition is still very much alive today, although many kitchen parties are now held in community halls or local venues so visitors can experience them too.

The evening was filled with live music, storytelling, laughter, and plenty of audience participation.  It was a great way to experience a tradition that has been part of Newfoundland life for generations.

Spending three nights in Rocky Harbour gave us time to enjoy the community, take in the scenery, experience a little of Newfoundland's culture, and appreciate everything this beautiful part of Gros Morne has to offer.