Discover Bay Roberts

Bay Roberts combines coastal experiences with an unusually tangible telegraph and settlement history. The harbour, the Cable Avenue Heritage District, a museum, a gallery and an 8 km coastal walking trail each offer a different perspective. As you plan your trip, consider whether you’d like to focus mainly on historic sites, art, outdoor activities or seasonal wildlife viewing.

Telegraph History and Art

The Western Union Cable Building was built in 1913 as a cable relay station for telegraph cables between Sennen Cove in Cornwall, England, and Coney Island in New York, USA. Today, the building is a National Historic Site of Canada and a Provincial Heritage Structure. It houses the Road to Yesterday Museum and the Christopher Pratt Gallery—two distinct ways to explore the history and art of Bay Roberts.

The Road to Yesterday Museum depicts Bay Roberts’ trade history and way of life around the turn of the 20th century. At the Christopher Pratt Gallery, you can see a permanent art collection that includes works by Christopher Pratt. The gallery also presents works by well-known local artists and rotating art collections. If you enjoy exploring historical subjects and art together on a trip, you’ll find a range of cultural highlights here, each with a distinct story: the museum focuses on trade and everyday life, while the gallery showcases artworks and collections.

The Cable Avenue Heritage District also tells the story of the town’s development. In 1913, the Western Union Telegraph Company began building staff accommodation along the street. The designated Registered Heritage District includes houses on the east and west sides of Cable Avenue, the house at the corner of Cable Avenue and Water Street, the Western Union Cable Building on Water Street, and the associated properties. Its designation recognizes the area’s historical, aesthetic and cultural value.

Coast, Harbour and Trails

The Bay Roberts Shoreline Heritage Walking Trail passes through the early settlement. Preserved traces along the route include a historic burial ground, foundations, stone walls and root cellars. At 8 km long, the trail is an outing in its own right, with visible evidence of the early settlement complementing the coastal scenery. Factor the full trail length into your day’s plans.

The Klondyke offers a different perspective on the harbour. Built in 1898, this causeway crosses Bay Roberts Harbour. From here, there are views of the harbour and both of its shores. The park-like area features lighting, benches and landscaping. If you’re deciding between a longer outing focused on history and spending time by the harbour, you can take these different experiences into account when planning.

The coast also offers seasonal wildlife viewing: breaching and playful whales, migrating capelin schools and drifting icebergs can be spotted from the Bay Roberts coastline at certain times of year. These sights are quite different from the town’s historical attractions. If you’re travelling with your family, you can plan around whether art and local history, a longer trail or the seasonal coastal landscape best matches everyone’s interests; actual sightings depend on the season.

Veterans’ Quay is in the centre of Bay Roberts and has a wooden slipway or boat wharf. Alongside the coastal and cultural attractions, it offers another harbour-related stop to consider when planning your trip. The best focus for your vacation rental search depends on which experiences you’d like to prioritize during your stay.

Discover More Places

If you’d like to include other destinations in your plans, you’ll find Carbonear, Brigus, Trepassey, Witless Bay, Arnold's Cove, Spaniard's Bay, Tors Cove and Grates Cove here.

For the broader travel overview: Division No. 1.