Rocky Harbour sits between two distinct scenic drives that don't connect by road. The north route (Route 430) strings together coastal geology and Western Brook Pond; the south route (Route 431) crosses Wiltondale to reach the Tablelands, Woody Point and Trout River. Pick one per day rather than trying to combine them.
Key takeaways
- The north and south routes don't connect directly — reaching the south side means backtracking through Wiltondale, not crossing Bonne Bay directly.
- Each route is a half-day to full-day outing once you factor in stops, not a quick loop.
- The north route is entirely within easy range of Rocky Harbour; the south route requires committing to a longer round trip.
- Fuel up before either drive — services thin out north of Sally's Cove and south of Wiltondale.
North route: Route 430
This drive follows the coast north from Rocky Harbour, staying inside the park boundary the whole way. It can be done as a half-day out-and-back or extended into a full day with a stop in Cow Head.
Green Point
A shoreline stop known internationally for its exposed rock layers — this is the reference point geologists use worldwide to mark the boundary between the Cambrian and Ordovician periods. Even without the geology, the tilted cliff strata make for one of the more striking coastal viewpoints on the drive.
Western Brook Pond
The trailhead for the park's best-known fjord landscape. See our Western Brook Pond guide for the walk-in trail and boat tour timing.
Broom Point
A restored fishing premises where a local family fished commercially from 1941 to 1975. It's a short, easy stop that adds cultural and human history to a drive otherwise focused on geology and landscape.
Cow Head
The natural endpoint of the north route: a fishing community with a 1909 lighthouse, walking trails along the headland, and the long sand beach at Shallow Bay. It's also home to Theatre Newfoundland Labrador's summer season, if you're staying into the evening.
South route: Route 431
Reaching the south side of Bonne Bay means driving back to the Wiltondale junction and continuing on Route 431 — there is no direct road or car ferry across the bay. Budget the better part of a day for this route rather than a quick side trip.
Woody Point & the Discovery Centre
A harbour village facing Rocky Harbour across the bay, and home to the park's Discovery Centre, which covers the region's geology, plant and animal life, and human history.
The Tablelands
A barren, orange-brown plateau of exposed mantle rock — the site that helped prove the theory of plate tectonics. It looks nothing like the rest of the park, which is exactly the point. See our glossary entry on the Tablelands for what makes the rock itself so unusual, and our research summary for the full geological story.
Trout River
The end of Route 431, a fishing village on Trout River Pond and the access point for the Green Gardens Trail — see our hiking guide for trail details.
Driving principles
- Fuel before you leave Rocky Harbour. Services are limited once you're well north of Sally's Cove or south of Wiltondale.
- Watch for wildlife on the road, especially moose at dawn, dusk and after dark.
- Build in weather flexibility. Coastal viewpoints lose most of their value in fog or heavy rain — a route that looks great on a clear day can be a wasted drive in poor weather.
- Only stop where sightlines and shoulders are safe. Route 430 and 431 are two-lane highways with limited pull-offs in places.
Common mistakes
Trying to combine both routes in one day, assuming there's a direct crossing of Bonne Bay, underestimating how much time stops add to a "quick drive," and heading north or south on a foggy day when the coastal viewpoints won't deliver.
FAQ
Can I do both the north and south drives in one day?
It's possible but rushed. Each route on its own takes most of a day once you factor in stops, so most visitors do one route per day rather than combining both.
Is there a ferry across Bonne Bay to reach the south side?
There is no car ferry across Bonne Bay. The south side is reached by road via Wiltondale, adding driving time rather than a direct crossing.
How far is Cow Head from Rocky Harbour?
Cow Head is roughly 50 kilometres north of Rocky Harbour along Route 430, about 45 minutes to an hour of driving with stops.
Last updated: August 2, 2026 · Editorial team · Approx. 8 minute read