louisag60

We are planning our first trip to Newfoundland in mid-September to early October this year. We are spending some time in PEI before we head to Newfoundland. Is it correct that the Argentia ferry only runs until the end of September? If so, I guess we would have to cross to Argentia first and depart from Port aux Basques. We are planning some time around St. John's - Avalon - Bonavista. Want to go to Change Islands and Fogo and Twillingate. Is Baie Verte or Fleur de Lys worth a stop? We won't see any icebergs, but will we see any whales at that time of year? We will also travel to Gros Morne, Port aux Port Peninsula and then on to Port Aux Basque. Will try to go up the North Coast to L'ans Aux Meadows if time allows. We will have about 20-21 days give or take.
So - is late Sept - early October too late to travel to Gros Morne? Will things still be open or closing for the season? What can anyone tell me about the ferries. Mostly I am concerned about the timing of our trip. Has anyone travelled in Nfld into October who can provide some information?

LowTide

I will restrict my comments to the Gros Morne prtion of your itinerary. Virtually all major tourist attractions would be closed by late September, as visitations generally wind down in mid-month. But "Indian Summer" can still be quite nice, just entirely unpredictable what you might get this far out. Temps can really be anywhere from 15 to 25 at that time, but cool at night, perhaps too cold for camping.

Late September / early October is the height of the relatively short fall foliage season, and while it lasts, it is magnificent. Southwards, from Gros Morne to Corner Brook on the west coast, the fall colours are really an unadvertised treat, set in a gently mountainous terrain.

louisag60

Thank you Low Tide for your comments. We won't be camping -- looking for B&B or Inn, that type of thing. And we will be heading to Port aux Basques to catch the ferry back to North Sydney about October 2. So, do you think there will be any type of accommodation still available at that time? The fall foliage sounds wonderful. If everything will be closing is there any reason to go to Gros Morne that late in the season? Anything to can add to help will be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

LowTide

If it isn't already decided, you MIGHT consider switching the order of the PEI and Newfoundland dates...it's just that the Fall temperature drops a few weeks earlier, and more quickly, in Newfoundland than in the rest of the Maritimes due to ocean effects, and it actually is noticeable. Anyway....

Not sure about the Argentia ferry schedule, but the PaB-NS ferry shouldn't be a concern.

The one commercial attraction in Gros Morne that you should check on is the Western Brook boat tour...it MIGHT actually still be running that late in the season, I'm not sure. Other than that particular attraction, the park is largely made up of coastal and hiking trails, beaches, and driving vistas that you would see on your own anyway. The lack of other tourists wouldn't really be much of a negative at all. The restaurants should mostly still be open, and accomodations would be available....you could check into a cottage suggestion I made on an earlier Gros Morne thread, called Periwinkles. It's really nice, especially if the weather doesn't co-operate fully.

louisag60

Actually have been thinking of switching the order,but we may stay with it as planned and take our chances. I have checked on the boat tour and it will still be running until the end of September. I have the info now on the ferries. Thanks for the recommend on the cottage. I will check it out. I really appreciate your help here.