Perhaps it’s the promise of adventure. Or the hope of starting anew. But for more than 500 years, this has been a place that has lured adventurous, boldly restless souls to its shores.
Our lighthouses provide a safe path – even on the darkest of nights – to welcome the weary home.
With these four lighthouses, located in and around St. John’s, you can enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery, visit the most easterly point in North America, get a history lesson in wireless communication, or tuck into a handmade picnic (during the summer) as you grab that quintessential lighthouse photo.
Perched on a cliff overlooking the North Atlantic, the bright red and white exterior of the Fort Amherst Lighthouse is one of the first landmarks encountered by ships entering St. John’s Harbour. Steeped in naval history and rich in architectural significance, here you’ll find some of the most stunning views of the surrounding land and sea.
Visit Website(20 minutes from downtown)
Located on the most easterly point of North America, Cape Spear Lighthouse is Newfoundland and Labrador’s oldest surviving lighthouse. Explore its history and traditions, while keeping your eye out for whales, seabirds, and icebergs. Or take a hike along the East Coast Trail and wander the ruins of WWII fortifications.
(1 hour from St. John’s)
Experience an afternoon of rugged ocean views and a delicious picnic (during the summer months) at Ferryland Head’s lighthouse. Established in 1870, the lighthouse was automated 100 years later. Today, it’s home to Lighthouse Picnics. As you enjoy your basket of homemade goodness overlooking Atlantic Ocean, watch for whales and seabirds (reservations required).
(2.5 hours from St. John’s)
Located on the southern tip of the Avalon Peninsula, sits the Cape Race Lighthouse, a national historic site. Nearby, you’ll find the Myrick Wireless Interpretation Centre, a replica of the original Marconi Marine Radio Station that was first to answer Titanic’s distress call. Inside, you’ll find exhibits about the history of Cape Race, a RMS Titanic exhibit, and a gift shop.
Published: February 7, 2019
