Carbonear is further up the coast, and can be reach fastest from Highway 1 by taking Route 75 for 34 km,rather than a more leisurely trip along Route 70. In 1696, the town was burned to the ground by the French, but the inhabitants retreated to and successfully defended a small fortified island in the harbour. Carbonear Island has been designated a National Historic Site.
During the reign of Elizabeth I, Gilbert Pike, a former member of the Peter Easton’s pirate band, fell in love with Sheila Na Geira, an Irish princess whom he had rescued from imprisonment on a Dutch warship,and married. They decided to move to the New World, in nearby Bristol’s Hope, where their descendants still live.
Carbonear is the home of the Conception Bay Folk Festival, held each summer to celebrate the music, song and dance of the communities of the North Shore of Conception Bay. The music has its traditional roots in the West Country of England.
In nearby Victoria (a bit to the north) the 1904 Hydro Electric Development is a Registered Historic Site as the second major hydro electric project in Newfoundland. The Victoria station still produces electricity and is now a museum that displays some of the earliest equipment in Canada, open daily during July and August.
Other Links
Carbonear Attractions
Rorke Stores
Carbonear, Route 70
Mail P.O. Box 999
Carbonear, NL, A1Y 1C5
Contact Cynthia Davis
709-596-4949 Fax 1-709-596-4904
This 1874 mercantile structure houses a museum exhibit & artifacts focused on the Carbonear connection to the Labrador fisheries circa 1830s – 1930s
Carbonear Boardwalk
Carbonear, Route 70
P.O. Box 999
256 Water Street
Carbonear, NL, A1Y 1C5
Contact Cynthia Davis
709-596-3831 Fax 1-709-596-5021
Built in the common architectural style of railway stations in Newfoundland. Constructed circa 1917. Carbonear’s newest National Historic Site. Tourist information. Extensive genealogical records. Off-Season tours provided
Harbour Rock Hill
Carbonear, Route 70
P.O. Box 999
256 Water Street
Carbonear, NL, A1Y 1C5
Contact Cynthia Davis
709-596-3831 Fax 1-709-596-5021
A scenic look over Carbonear Harbour. At this site you will see the cannons used to fight off the French in the 1700’s. A stunning view. A history board for your reading.
Carbonear Island
Carbonear, Route 70
P.O. Box 999
256 Water Street
Carbonear, NL, A1Y 1C5
Contact Cynthia Davis
709-596-3831 Fax 1-709-596-5021
Carbonear was captured by the French in 1696 and 1697 and again in 1705. This island was one of few places the French could not capture. A safe Haven for Carbonear Residents. (A board displays all History at this Site.)
Salmon Cove Sands
Salmon Cove, Conception Bay, Route 70 (about 15 km north of Carbonear)
Season May 01 – Oct 31
P.O.Box 97
Salmon Cove/Conception Bay, NL, A0A 3S0
Contact Wanda Parsons
709-596-0860 Fax 1-709-596-1170
Gray sandy beach, wheel chair accessible, board walk, concession, tourism chalet and 2km hiking trail. “Trail of the Eagle”. Breath taking view with abundance of wildlife.