Return To Newfoundland Happy Place Hidden Autumn Magic. If you’ve explored the Avalon and eastern regions before, autumn invites you to uncover Newfoundland hidden side. Beyond the familiar lies a landscape painted in deep reds and golds, peaceful, authentic, and full of surprises. From quiet fishing villages to scenic lookouts, fall brings a softer, more soulful side of Newfoundland to life.

Our trip during the autumn months. What is it like visiting Newfoundland and Labrador in the fall?

Travelling to Newfoundland and Labrador in the fall is a journey into a land ablaze with colour and steeped in quiet, ancient history. A trip there during the autumn months.

The Fire in the North

The air had the sharp, clean bite of early October as the small plane descended into St. John’s, Newfoundland. From the window, the landscape looked like a painter’s discarded canvas, swaths of deep crimson, fiery orange, and ochre yellow splashed across the low lying hills. We come for the autumn, seeking the famous Newfoundland quiet before the winter storms.

My rental car, a sturdy, unassuming SUV, became my best friend for the next two weeks. We were heading out of the city and toward the Bonavista Peninsula, chasing lighthouses and the promise of a rugged coastline.

A Coastal Canvas

Driving the scenic route, Route 230, the trees were a revelation. They weren’t the towering maples of Quebec or Ontario, but hardy, wind bent balsam fir and the tamarack, in particular, stood out, their needles turned a brilliant, luminous gold before they would drop for the winter. This annual transformation is a sight unique to the boreal forest, a “fire” burning quietly across the landscape.

Our first stop was Trinity, a tiny, impossibly picturesque village clinging to the harbour. The historic box houses, painted in cheerful nautical shades of red, seemed to glow against the backdrop of the autumnal hills. We spent an afternoon walking the deserted trails around the harbour.

The usual summer crowds of puffin watchers and whale tourists were gone, leaving a profound silence broken only by the cry of a gull and the rhythmic splash of the sea against the weathered docks. It was here, at a small, family run restaurant, that I had my first bowl of Jiggs’ Dinner (a traditional boiled meal) with the sweet, local turnip, feeling the deep comfort of traditional food on a crisp evening.

The Big Land’s Embrace

The second leg of our journey took us to the “Big Land,” Labrador. The logistics of flying from St. John’s to Goose Bay and then driving north felt like a true expedition. The landscape here shifted dramatically. The trees thinned out, giving way to the vast, open tundra.

The fall colours here were not in the trees, but on the ground. The low-growing dwarf birch, crowberry, and bearberry bushes carpeted the rocks in deep, wine red and burnt sienna hues. The wind was more formidable, a constant, whistling reminder of the north’s proximity to the Arctic.

Driving a long stretch of the Trans-Labrador Highway toward the coastal town of Red Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its century Basque whaling station. As the sun began to set, painting the vast, open sky in shades of rose and violet, we pulled over. There were no lights, no sounds of civilization, just the immense scale of the Labrador wilderness and the chill air.

That night, in the small inn at Red Bay, the proprietor, an elderly woman named Mae, told me about the aurora borealis season beginning. “You came at the right time,” she said, stirring her tea. “The nights are long enough now, and the air is clear.”

A Glimpse of Green Light

On our last night in Labrador, the moon was hidden behind a thin veil of clouds, making the darkness absolute. We had driven to a dark, secluded spot, bundled in layers of wool and synthetic warmth, hoping.

Around 11 p.m., a pale, milky green arc appeared low on the northern horizon. Within minutes, it strengthened, stretching across the entire sky. It wasn’t a static sheet, but a living, breathing curtain of light, rippling and swaying as if an invisible hand were shaking it out above me. The Northern Lights, a phenomenon that felt less like a scientific event and more like a profound, silent conversation between the Earth and the heavens.

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The cold eventually forced us back to the car, but the image was sealed.

Returning to St. John’s for our flight home, we realized that Newfoundland and Labrador in the fall isn’t a place of gentle decay, but one of raw, vibrant intensity. The colours are richer, the silence is deeper, and the warmth of the people who call it home seems to burn brighter against the coming chill. It’s a land that sheds its summer skin to reveal its tough, beautiful, golden soul.

We visited Newfoundland and Labrador before and explored Avalon and the eastern region. We are planning to explore Labrador and the western region. Can you help us plan our trip?

That sounds like the adventure of a lifetime. Completing your Newfoundland tour by driving the Trans-Labrador Highway is an epic way to see the “Big Land” and finish exploring the island’s incredible West Coast.

Since you’ve already conquered the East Coast (St. John’s, Bonavista, Twillingate), your trip focuses on two distinct, magnificent areas: The Remote TLH/Labrador and The Viking Trail/Gros Morne on the West Coast.

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Here are the key tips, tricks, and must-see spots for your journey:

Trans-Labrador Highway (TLH) & Labrador Tips

The TLH is a true wilderness journey, but it is now fully paved on the Labrador side, making it much easier than in the past.

Essential Driving Tips

Fuel Strategy: Do not pass up a chance to fill up. While the Labrador section is now all paved, the distances between services are vast. Keep your tank topped off in Labrador City, Churchill Falls, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Port Hope Simpson, and Red Bay.

Tires & Supplies: While the road is mostly excellent, bring a full-size spare tire, a jack, and possibly a tire patch kit. Cellular service is virtually nonexistent outside of the main towns.

Emergency Communications: The provincial government often offers a free satellite phone loan program for the TLH. Check with the Gateway Labrador Visitor Centre in Labrador City or the ferry terminal for the latest program details. It’s highly recommended for emergencies.

Bugs (In Summer): Be prepared for biting insects, especially in July and August. Bug jackets are a good idea if you plan to stop and hike.

Must-See Labrador Stops (Labrador City to Blanc-Sablon)

Churchill Falls: View the massive Churchill River gorge and consider booking an advance tour of one of the world’s largest underground hydroelectric generating stations.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay: Explore the Labrador Military Museum and the Labrador Interpretation Centre in nearby North West River for a deep dive into Indigenous and local history.

Battle Harbour: A tiny, stunning island where time has stood still. It’s a beautifully restored 19th-century fishing village, an incredible side trip if your schedule allows.

Red Bay National Historic Site: A World Heritage site and the most preserved 16th-century Basque whaling station in the world. A profound piece of European history in North America.

Point Amour Lighthouse: One of the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, offering amazing views of the Strait of Belle Isle.

Newfoundland Great Northern & Western Coasts

After the ferry from Blanc-Sablon to St. Barbe, you start the incredible Viking Trail down the Great Northern Peninsula and West Coast.

St. Anthony Area

L’Anse aux Meadows: This is a the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. This is an absolute must-see, you can walk among the reconstructed sod buildings.

Iceberg/Whale Watching: The St. Anthony area is a prime spot along “Iceberg Alley” in early summer (May-July). Visit Fishing Point Municipal Park for great land-based views.

Western Coast Southbound

Port au Choix National Historic Site: A critically important area showcasing years of human habitation and history from the Archaic, Paleo-Eskimo, and Dorset peoples. Fascinating archaeology.

Gros Morne National Park: Since you’ve saved the best for last, dedicate a minimum of 3-4 full days to this area:

Tablelands: Hike on the Earth’s mantle. The rusty-orange rock is a geological marvel.

Western Brook Pond: Book the boat tour through the stunning landlocked fjord, the views of the sheer cliffs and waterfalls are unparalleled.

Lively Towns: Base yourself in an area like Rocky Harbour or Woody Point for great food and local culture.

Corner Brook: As you head south, Corner Brook is the largest hub on the West Coast. It’s a great place to resupply, and the nearby Bottle Cove offers beautiful coastal hikes.

Port au Port Peninsula: If you have time, take the detour to this area known for its unique Franco Newfoundlander culture and rugged, scenic coastal views, including the famous Hidden Falls.

This second leg will be much more populated than the TLH, offering more amenities and easier access to accommodations as you head toward Port aux Basques.