At one time, the French Shore included all of the territory from Cape Bonavista to Cape Ray. The Port au Port Peninsula aws
home to a number of Mi'kmaq people (who resided all around the Maritimes) before the first Europeans arrived. Stephenville, the commercial centre for the St. George's-Port au Port area, was originally known as Indian Creek but was renamed by a group of Acadian settlers in 1844 for one of their party, Stephen LeBlanc. Stephenville grew during World War II when the United States government built Harmon Air Force base on the outskirts of the town. The base is now part of the town's industrial park.
Today, Stephenville lies just west of the #1 Trans-Canada Highway, and has an internationally scheduled, alternate use airport and is a secondary industrial centre with a population of over 10,000. During July and early August, the Stephenville Festival attracts theatre buffs from all over. Its plays range from original works to professional quality productions of Broadway hits.
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Attractions
Arts And Culture Centre - Stephenville
380 Massachusetts Drive
Stephenville, Newfoundland, A2N 3A5
(709) 643-4571 fax: (709) 643-5459
This 1975 theatrical venue has a 450 seat theatre, a 150 seat performance space and an art exhibition area. Host of the Stephenville Festival.
From Sep 01 - Jun 30
Harmon Seaside Links
Box 34
Stephenville, Newfoundland, A2N 2Y7
(709) 643-4322 fax: (709) 643-5369
Links style course. An easy walking level course along the seaside. Par 72, rating 69. Tee times available on short notice to accommodate travellers. Indian Head Trailer Park is on the property.
From May 01 - Nov 30
The French Ancestors Route / La Route des Ancêtres Français
This tour takes you off Route 1 onto the Port au Port Peninsula via Stephenville. Here you will encounter a vibrant and exciting French culture that dates back to the days of the French colonial fishing fleet. Explore French-speaking communities with colourful names as Cap St-George, La Grand Terre (Mainland) and L'Anse aux Canards (Black Duck Brook.) Take either Route 490 or 460 from Route 1 through Stephenville to a part of Newfoundland once referred to as The French Shore, a large stretch of coastline where France held fishing and processing rights until 1904.
Detour off Route 460 onto Route 462, to the Point au Mal lookout (half way to Fox Island River), for an unexcelled view of Port au Port Bay.
The Port au Port Peninsula is geologically interesting with minerals as marcasite, galena, and calcite found here. The main economic mineral is limestone, used in steel mills, quarried at Aguathuna where you can see 350-million-year-old Mississippian fossils in a huge and rare column of coquina limestone. Geologists and rock hounds can take another detour off Route 460 to Lead Cove to see remains of an early lead mining operation.
Indian Head Range Wilderness Hiking Trail
10 Crescent Street
Stephenville, Newfoundland, A2N 1R6
(709) 643-4343 fax: (709) 643-4343
Hike 10 kms of wilderness trail on an environment similar to the Long Range Mountains. View an historic airplane crash site.
From Jun 01 - Oct 01
Our Lady Of Mercy Museum
P.O. Box 239
Port au Port West, Newfoundland, A0N 1T0
(709) 648-2632
A collection of artifacts from the Port au Port area. Craft shop and tea room. Tea will be served after the tour. Museum grounds have park, four pools and picnic tables.
From Jun 01 - Sep 07
Cercle Des Mémoires
Box 190, RR#1
Mainland (La Grand'Terre), Newfoundland, A0N 1R0
(709) 642-5254 fax: (709) 642-5164
melindamoraze@hotmail.com
The museum represents the life of French Newfoundlanders in the early 1900s by use of artifacts and special expositions. Tea room and craft shop. Group visits can be arranged. Bilingual guides.
From Jul 01 - Aug 31
Our Lady Of Mercy Church
c/o Roman Catholic Parish
Port au Port, Newfoundland, A0N 1T0
(709) 648-2632 fax: (709) 648-9515
The largest wooden structure in Newfoundland. It contains carorra stations of the cross and all of the original statues and beautiful stained glass window.
From Jun 15 - Sep 10
Alpacas Of Newfoundland
Box 1, RR#2
Port au Port, Newfoundland, A0N 1T0
(709) 648-9414 fax: (709) 648-9414
Newfoundland's only alpaca and llama farm situated on scenic Bay St. George. Free farm visits, a unique hay loft, craft store, minke whales and gorgeous local scenery.
From Jan 01 - Dec 31
Tours & Adventures
Highlight Tours & Convention Planning
41B Hillcrest Road
Corner Brook, Newfoundland, A2H 1N5
(709) 639-8976 fax: (709) 634-0163
Guided 21 passenger bus tours. Tours include (1) Corner Brook - South Shore Bay of Islands, (2) Gros Morne, (3) Port au Port Peninsula/Stephenville, and (4) Insecterium/White Bay - Insecterium/Big Falls.
From Jan 01 - Dec 31
Cormack Expeditions Trail Guides
1 Pleasant Avenue
Stephenville, Newfoundland, A2N 1R9
(709) 643-9057
Cormack Expeditions offers trail guides to the Long Range Mountains and Blow-Me-Down Mountains of western Newfoundland.
From Jan 01 - Dec 31
