Following are some suggestions for interesting activities for visitors during your stay :
Hiking – Skerwink Trail – 5.3km – A ‘must’ for all visitors to the area is a leisurely hike along this spectacular trail, ranked among the finest in Canada. Of moderate difficulty, well-groomed and marked, the hike will take about two hours, and presents grand seascapes, views of sea stacks, often sightings of whales feeding just offshore, as well as occasional glimpses of other local wildlife such as foxes and moose. The trail commences right in Trinity East, approximately 1 km walk or drive from Bellecroft House (you passed the trailhead on the drive in). Bring your camera and/or binoculars and plan on lunch at the Brightside Bistro or nearby Two Whales Coffee Shop (see Dining, next, or ask us for further details). www.theskerwinktrail.com
Hiking – Other Nearby Options. There are many great hikes in the Trinity East area, as well as Skerwink:
The Fox Island Hike (Lily’s favourite trail!) begins in Champney’s West, about 6 km from Trinity East and offers a gentle 2½ hour walk with spectacular sea views.
The Horse Chops Hike begins near English Harbour, about 8 km from Trinity East, about 2 hours in and out and of moderate difficulty, provides the walker with perhaps the best open view of the sea from which to observe whales feeding offshore.
The Gun Hill Trail starts in Trinity village (15 km. from Trinity East), near the Rising Tide Theater, and takes the hiker high above the village, to a vantage point that presents a panoramic view of Trinity and the harbour. A moderate hike of an hour or less.
The Trinity Southside Trails begin on the peninsula leading out to the Trinity lighthouse and are accessed along a gravel road through the village of Dunfield, about 20 km from Trinity East. The two loops are of medium difficulty and walking both loops would take about a half day (3-4 hours).
The Kerley’s Harbour Hike begins in New Bonaventure (25 km from Trinity East), near the Random Passage site, and takes the visitor to the now-abandoned village of Kerley’s Harbour. Of moderate difficulty; 40 minutes in and back out.
Continuing beyond Kerley’s Harbour one could hike the British Harbour Trail, ending in another abandoned outport village. A more difficult walk, requiring most of a day in and out, but one can also arrange for a trip into British Harbour by boat (20 minutes) allowing the hiker to walk the return trail in about 3½ hours.
Be sure to ask us for further details on any of the above or about the many other trails that exist along the Bonavista Peninsula. We are both avid hikers and know many of the trails on the peninsula quite well.
Visit Museums, Interpretation Centers, Working Forge, Fort Point Historic Site.
The province of Newfoundland and the Trinity Historical Society (‘THS’) operate a number of sites around Trinity village. For a single fee visitors have a pass to all that the THS has to offer – click on ‘Sites and Resources’ → ‘Our Sites’ at the THS website for details: <http://www.trinityhistoricalsociety.com>. A quick look-through could take a couple of hours; more leisurely in-depth exploration of these sites could occupy a day.
Whale-watching and Iceberg Tours (latter in season). There are a couple of watching tour operators in the area. We’ll be happy to direct you to the one of your choice. Reservations are required – we can do this for you on your behalf in you wish.
Sea Of Whales Adventures: <https://seaofwhales.com>, Trinity Eco-Tours: <https://trinityecotours.com>
Rising Tide Theater. This award-winning theater group, founded in 1978, is a perennial favourite for both residents and visitors alike. The theater is located right on the waterfront of Trinity village and has a regular summer program of evening theater and dinner-theater. See <https://www.risingtidetheatre.com/whats-on.html> for details of performances this season and click on the ‘Calendar’ link on that page for an up-to-date schedule of events.
Trinity Historical Walking Tour. An award-winning 2½ hour walking tour through Trinity village, hosted by Kevin Toupe, born in a nearby outport and raised in Trinity village. Kevin is a wealth of information on the history and characters of the village and ha conducted this tour for the past over 20 years, introducing Trinity to thousands of visitors. <http://trinityhistoricalwalkingtours.com/12800_info.html>
Random Passage Site Tour. The Random Passage Site was originally created for the filming of a popular historical television mini-series, Random Passage, based on two books by Newfoundland author Bernice Morgan. The story follows ta small group of early settlers in Newfoundland, exploring their lives, hardships, triumphs and losses. The site is located in New Bonaventure, approximately 24 km from Trinity East at the terminus of Hwy 239. It consists of a remarkably authentic recreation of a small outport settlement in the 1800s.
Following completion of filming, the site was taken over by a local non-profit group from Bonaventure village. For a small fee, visitors are shown around the site, with accompanying descriptions of how life was in the period over which Random Passage took place. A very worthwhile excursion – stop at the Random Passage Tearoom near the entrance for home-cooked lunch and tea/coffee. See <http://www.randompassagesite.com> for schedules and further details.
UNESCO Discovery Geopark. The upper half of the Bonavista peninsula, roughly between Trinity and Bonavista town, was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020, with the objective of highlighting and protecting the unique human history, geology and paleontology of the region. The Geopark encompasses 10 separate sites around the upper peninsula, of which one, the Gun Hill Trail (see further below) is located right in Trinity village. See <https://discoverygeopark.com/geosite/gun-hill-trail-trinity/> for further details on the site, or, for an overview of all sites in the Discovery Geopark, see <https://discoverygeopark.com/about/>
Champney’s West Aquarium: Come see what lives in our ocean! Fun and learning for all ages. New for 2025: Corals and Sponges of Atlantic Canada display. The aquarium features viewing tanks, aquaria, and touch tanks displaying local marine life. Learn about ocean life sustainability, the impact of climate change, the inter-connectivity between species and the economic impact on our province. Boardwalk access to the beach and picnic tables onsite; gift shop and concession items available for purchase. Public washrooms, handicap accessible. (6 km./10 min. drive from Trinity East)
Trinity Summer Festival: See following page, ‘Dates’ for details and dates of the annual Trinity Festival, and Trinity Garden Party and Auction.
Port Rexton Days: A weekend of fun and games, July 11-13, 2025, presented by Port Rexton Recreation in partnership with the Port Rexton Heritage Society, Fire Department and other local clubs and committees.
Bellecroft House 