How to get to The Chalet at Cormack from just about anywhere...
and what you will see along the way!
If Travelling by car and approaching from Port Aux Basques….
Port Aux Basques - The Chalet at Cormack
Approx : 3hrs
Distance : 282 Km
After exiting the ferry at Port aux Basques head for the Visitor Information Centre to find out what there is to see and do in southwest Newfoundland. Then drop by the Railway Heritage Museum for the story of the "Newfie Bullet," the narrow gauge train that ran across Newfoundland from 1898-1988.
Forty-five minutes east of Port aux Basques on Route 470 is Rose Blanche Lighthouse, one of the last granite lighthouses on the eastern seaboard. In nearby Isle aux Morts, learn the inspiring story of the Harvey family who rescued people from two stricken ships in the 19th century.
Head back through Port aux Basques to J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park to look for the endangered Piping Plover. Be careful where you walk along this lovely sandy beach.
Southwest Newfoundland is an important stop for migrating birds. Off Route 1 on Route 406, there's an interpretation center and the Wetlands Trail where you can spot both migratory and resident birds.
Drive out to Cape Anguille, the westernmost point on the Island of Newfoundland. There's a lighthouse here, plus beaches and an estuary to explore.
While heading North on Route 1, be sure to enjoy a side trip to the coast (Routes 405 or 406). When you reach Route 490, take a left and head past the estuary at Stephenville Crossing and on to Stephenville, the former site of a U.S. Air Force Base. Check to see if the theatre festival is on.
Stephenville is the gateway to the Port au Port Peninsula, the traditional home of French-speaking Newfoundlanders. For 400 years, France ruled The French Shore, and many seasonal fishermen settled here. The area is famous for fiddle music, so make time for a concert or festival.
The biggest - literally - attraction on the peninsula is Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port au Port West. This is the largest wooden structure in the province and an impressive display of the community spirit that built it in the early 20th century.
Return to Route 1 and travel on to Corner Brook. This city of 25,000 is the second largest in the province. Its story is told at the Corner Brook Museum and Archives.
One of the highlights of the city is the Captain James Cook Historic Site. Before Cook became a famous South Seas explorer, he charted parts of the Newfoundland coast, including the area around Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands, which Cook's statue overlooks.
Highways 450 and 440 reach out into the small communities on the south and north sides of Humber Arm. Blow Me Down Provincial Park on the south shore has a fairly steep hiking trail, the Governor's Staircase, that provides a panoramic view of the bay. If going on the water is more to your liking, there are tour boat operators in Cox's Cove on the north side and another in Curling.
Just a few minutes east of the city, Marble Mountain offers year-round recreation. In summer, try the zipline, and in winter, it's downhill skiing and snowboarding. Other possibilities in the area include hiking, cycling, and caving.
North of Corner Brook, Pasadena makes a pleasant stop with its beach and picnic area. Continue East to Deer Lake then head North on highway 430. On the way, North stop by the Newfoundland Insectarium which has both live and preserved insects - and a butterfly pavilion that's not to be missed. On highway 430 turn off once you reach the town of Cormack and you are there.
If traveling by car westbound from St. John’s…..
St. John’s - The Chalet at Cormack
Approx: 6hrs30mins
Distance: 651 Kms
Coming from St. John’s and heading west is better than a 6 hour drive. For those that are anxious to get going to the chalet and don’t have much time to spare hit the road early, and try to be off the TCH and arrive at the chalet by dark. Plenty of moose in these parts and they become very hard to see come nightfall. If you have time to spare, there are many sites and communities to see along the way. Too list them all, would take some time so we will hit the highlights.
While in St. John’s beforehand, be sure to visit beautiful downtown and take in some great restaurants and famous George street for some great live entertainment and a few pints! Cabot Tower on Signal Hill, the Battery, and the village of Quidi Vidi are a must. While visiting Quidi Vidi be sure to stop by Mallards Cottage for great food. Take a look around the Docks and visit the Quidi Vidi brewing company. Cape spear is an absolute must…. See the lighthouse that guards the Atlantic on North America's most easterly point. Take a trip down to St. John’s harbor, get a view of the NARROWS, or even take a trip out through the narrows on a Whale watching, and see Cape Spear from the water. If hiking is your thing, there are many coastal trails around and in the city. A personal favourite is a hike around Signal Hill. The East Coast Trail is a beauty as well.
Leaving St John’s heading West on the TCH, there are so many communities and sites off the beaten path. There’s just too much to list, so I will touch on a few and would suggest you visit tourism sites to narrow down the towns and activities that interest you most.
Newfoundland’s most famous town: Dildo, is found on the Bay de Verde peninsula. Yes folks, not a spelling error, you read that right!
This town was made famous by Jimmy Kimmel, Dildo is quite a cute place to stay with some great restaurants and even a brewery. It’s a great addition to your Newfoundland itinerary.
If you can make it down the Bonavista Peninsula you will find many small communities, epic whale watching, awesome liking trails, puffin spotting, and icebergs. Trinity and Bonavista, about 40 minutes apart are the main towns in these parts. Be sure to stop in Port Rexton in-between and hike the Skerwink Trail, one of the most famous hiking trails here. Afterward, enjoy a cold brew at the Port Rexton Brewery. If in Bonavista the Dungeon is a site to behold.
We have two national parks in Newfoundland! Terra Nova National Park is one you’ll drive right through on your way westbound to the chalet. If you have the time, it’s worth a detour if you love the outdoors. Terra Nova is an excellent place for camping as well as hiking.
The next bigger center is Gander. With a population of about 10,000, it’s small but has played a significant role in both world and Newfoundland Aviation history. Gander played an important role in WWII, as well as on September 11th. Made famous by the play Come From Away! This is roughly the halfway point to the chalet and has an International airport. It is also home to Gander Center, the air traffic control unit that guides the aircraft overhead the island as well as the aircraft heading overseas toward Europe.
Twillingate is home to the beautiful coastline, whale watching, hiking trails, and perhaps the best place to view icebergs that have made their way to our coast from Greenland.
The next stop is Deer Lake, head north on route 430 for about 10 -15 minutes and then turn off into Cormack and within 10 minutes, you have arrived at The Chalet at Cormack.
​
If traveling to Newfoundland by Air, you have a few options the will get you to The Chalet at Cormack.
1. Fly into St. John’s. Airlines operating in St. John’s are Westjet, Air Canada, Swoop, Porter and Provincial Airlines. Some airlines operate seasonally and some routes are seasonal. However, many operate directly from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton, and Calgary year-round. Once in St. John’s you then have the option to fly with Provincial airlines to Deer Lake, which will put you at a 15 min drive to the Chalet. The flight from St. John’s to Deer lake is about 45-60 mins.
2. Fly into Gander. This is approximately the halfway point to the Chalet. From here you can again take Provincial Airlines to Deer Lake and then you are a 15-minute drive to the Chalet. Or Drive from Gander westbound. This will take approximately 3 hours.
3. Fly into Deer Lake. This is the best option if you looking to get to the chalet quickly and start your vacation with us. If you Fly into Deer Lake you only have a 15 min drive and you’ll have reached your destination …. The Chalet at Cormack.
Safe Travels!