Atlantic Canada's
UNESCO Sites

Arrive in Halifax for an overnight stay before picking up your RV in Elmsdale on Day 2. Depending on your arrival time in Halifax, you may be able to schedule in some sightseeing and exploration of this city.  Of particular interest is the Clock Tower and a visit to the Halifax Citadel.  This evening, wander the downtown and check out the menus at some of the city's best restaurants. If you haven’t already done your online check in with CanaDream, make a point of doing it before you arrive at CanaDream.  You will then know the pick-up time for your RV.

After picking up your RV in Elmsdale, head to the coastal community of Peggy’s Cove to visit the most photographed lighthouse in Canada. Wander through this scenic active fishing village before continuing on to your overnight stop in Lunenburg.  Stop on the way at Mahone Bay where you can view the three churches reflected in the water from the other side of the bay. Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban UNESCO World Heritage Sites in North America. Established in 1753, Lunenburg is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in Canada.  It has retained its original layout and overall appearance for more than 250 years.  RV camping is available close to the town centre making it easy to explore this colourful village on foot.

For the next two nights, base yourself at Jeremy’s Bay Campground in Kejimkujik National Park and set out to explore the South West Nova Biosphere Reserve. Located within the counties of Annapolis, Digby, Queens, Shelbune and Yarmouth, the Biosphere is home to an extremely diverse collection of species including rare plants, eagles, moose and trout.
Overnight in Jeremy’s Bay Campground.

Explore the park on a guided tour to explore the Mi’kmaq Petroglyphs. Another overnight in Jeremy’s Bay Campground.

En route to your overnight stop in Wolfville, take a break in Annapolis Royal where four national historic sites lie within its boundaries.  While not a UNESCO site, the town has a defining presence in Nova Scotia history, changing hands many times in the 17^th and 18^th centuries before finally becoming British.  Continue on to Wolfville to visit the Landscape of Grand Pré World Heritage Site. To appreciate the full expanse of this Site, head to the View Park on Old Post Road. The dykelands and settlements established in the 1680s by the Acadians have been maintained here over the centuries by English, Scottish and Dutch immigrants.  Visit Grand-Pré National Historic Site to learn more about Acadian settlement in the region and the significance of the New England planters who originally settled the area. 

If you didn’t get to visit the Grand Pré World Heritage Site on Day 5, make a point of doing so before continuing today to the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, on the other side of the Minas Basin. The shortest route is via Highway 236, but we suggest a drive along Coastal Route 215 if you have time on your hands. From Truro, Highway 2 will take you to Parrsboro and the Fundy Geological Museum. The remarkable geological landscape of this Geopark offers a glimpse into Canada's ancient history, with the discovery of the oldest dinosaur fossils in the country. You'll also uncover fascinating Mi'kmaq legends that have been passed down through generations.

More coastal views will greet you today as you arrive at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre. The Cliffs comprise nearly 15km of coastline along the Bay of Fundy, revealing fossils dating back to the Coal Age.  The Cliffs provide a snapshot of the ancient world, preserving fossils in their original setting including some creatures found nowhere else.  As the world’s highest tides rise and fall, new fossils are constantly exposed by erosion.  At low tide, a beautiful rugged beach is accessible.  The Fossil Cliffs are publicly accessible free of charge however a guided tour is strongly recommended for an in-depth understanding of the site.  Note that the Joggins Fossil Centre is a seasonal attraction, open from Spring to Fall only.  Please visit their website for further information.

As the crow flies, today’s destination is just across the bay but in drive time, you should allow at least two hours.  You’ll leave Nova Scotia to enter the province of New Brunswick. Time your arrival at the Hopewell Rocks to coincide with low tide. Peppered along two kilometres of shoreline are more than 23 free-standing sea stacks, accessible at low tide via three different places in the Park.  The visitor centre is open between mid May and late October and access is not available outside of these times.  An entry fee is applicable is and is valid for two consecutive days so you can experience the Park at both low and hide tide.
Travel on to Fundy National Park for an overnight stay in one of their five front country campgrounds.

Unlike many UNESCO sites Stonehammer is a region, with a geologic history going back a billion years. This 2500 square kilometre region showcases the connections between our natural history and the perspectives and experiences of our people and communities.  A trip to Stonehammer offers experiences from beaches and waterfalls to hikes and museums. To truly explore this Geopark would take weeks, so we recommend you research in advance the things that interest you and plan your stay accordingly. Seasonal camping is available at Rockwood Park Campground.

A change in provinces again today and a longer drive as you head back to Nova Scotia to visit the Bras d’Or Lake region.  Bras d’Or Lake is located in the middle of Cape Breton Island and lies within the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. Consisting of a salt water inland sea with three passages to the Atlantic Ocean, the lake is home to many species of fish.  Descendants of the original settlers who colonized the region make up the five Mi’kmaq populations that account for a significant proportion of the area’s population. Subtle tides, sheltered coves, secluded beaches, and a diversity of marine and bird life make the Bras d'Or Lake ideal for boating, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. RV campsites are available in the area.
 

The Bras d'Or Lakes Reserve is at the heart of Cape Breton and covers roughly 10,000m2. The best way to explore this unique salt-water estuary is by boat so check out boat or fishing tours.  If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, you can skirt this massive lake by car and walk some trails or connect with the people of the Mi'kmaw First Nationals and experienc their language, art, music and storytelling.

Time your campground departure to arrive in North Sydney in plenty of time to board the 1145 sailing for the ferry to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. The ferry takes approx. seven hours so you will arrive in Newfoundland around 7.00pm.  There are a number of RV campgrounds within easy driving distance of the ferry terminal, and we suggest you check in there (advance reservations are strongly recommended) for an overnight stay before continuing on the Gros Morne on day 13.

 

Hopefully you will have secured campground reservations for your stay in Gros Morne National Park as this park is extremely popular. The drive to the Park takes about 3 hours without stops but feel free to explore along the way.  Corner Brook and Deer Lake are the largest cities en route and you may like to pick up any supplies there you may need for the next couple of days.

After a lot of one-night stays, you’ll enjoy parking up for a few nights and soaking in your surroundings Some suggestions for your time here include hiking trails, a boat trip on Western Brook Pond, the Tablelands, Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, local theatre and museums.

 

You’ll be sad to leave Gros Morne behind but there’s plenty more adventure to come. The road to L’Anse aux Meadows is predominately coastal so there’ll be plenty of scenery to admire.  On a direct drive, this will take you between 3.5 and 4 hours but, if you have the time, stretch it out over the entire day to explore the small towns and bays en route.  There are private campgrounds close to L’Anse aux Meadows and RV camping is also available in Pistolet Bay Provincial Park 36km away.

 

This historic site records the first known evidence of European presence in the Americas. Vikings once lived here.  Visit the archeological remains of the Viking encampment where you’ll be greeted by Viking interpreters and view the unearthed remains of the timber and sod buildings they erected here over 1000 years ago.  Plan to spend at least three hours here.  Spend another night at your chosen campground or begin your journey back to the Trans Canada Highway where you’ll continue east towards St John’s.

Retrace the road down the coast back to Deer Lake where you’ll rejoin the Trans Canada Highway for a relatively smooth trip through to the picturesque town of Bonavista.  It’s a long drive so you should break it up somewhere along the way.  The city of Grand Falls/Windsor might be an option as it will allow you to stock up again on groceries and other needed supplies for the rest of your trip.  Dry camping is available at John Cabot Municipal Park within walking distance of the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse and Puffin Colony.  Private camping is also available within a short distance of Bonavista.

 

For a small area, the Bonavista Peninsula packs a lot of punch! There are many sites here making up the Discovery Global Geopark. Plan at least a full day in the area.  Must visit sites are The Dungeon, the Lighthouse, Puffin viewing (in season) near Elliston and near the Bonavista Lighthouse, provincial historic sites in the town of Bonavista itself. Don't forget to include the historic town of Trinity!

Allow a full day to reach Mistaken Point at the southern end of the Avalon Peninsula.  There are opportunities for whale watching en route if you have the time to stop.  Mistaken Point takes its name from sailors mistaking it for Cape Race in foggy conditions, thinking they were turning into Cape Race harbour but running onto rocks instead.  Note that there is no formal camping site close by, but you are permitted to overnight in the parking lot at Chance Cove Provincial Park.  

 

This morning, take the 45-minute guided walk at Mistaken Point.  Check tour times. Advance reservations are required. Here you will see the oldest fossils of multicellular life found anywhere on earth, preserved in fine detail in the rocks.  Note that access to the site is by guided tour only.  A fee is charged, and walking is required.  After leaving Mistaken Point, travel around the western side of the Avalon Peninsula through Trepassey, St Vincents and St Catherines then join Highway 91 which will take you to the ferry port of Argentia.   Advance reservations are required for the Argentia to Sydney ferry, which operates on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between mid-June and mid-September, leaving at 17:00 hours.  When planning your itinerary, take this into account or be prepared to drive back to Port aux Basques where the ferry operates daily.

The overnight crossing from Argentia takes approx. 16 hours.  Booking a cabin is recommended as you are not permitted to return to your RV during the crossing.  The ferry has onboard entertainment and a number of food options for your enjoyment.

You should arrive back in Sydney around noon.  Spend the afternoon in and around Halifax.  Find a campground close to the CanaDream depot in Elmsdale where you will drop off your RV on day 25.
CanaDream has blogs and other itineraries for the Maritime Provinces.  Use the following links to discover more:
Exploring Newfoundland – An RV Traveller’s Paradise
Canada’s Maritime Provinces
Atlantic Canada Indigenous Trail
Newfoundland and Labrador Adventure

The best time to visit the Atlantic Canada provinces is May through September.  Outside of these months, many campgrounds and attractions are closed.