Rocky Harbour: Lighthouse History, Art and Excursions

Rocky Harbour lies in the heart of Gros Morne National Park. The town offers different reasons to stay: Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse focuses on history and cultural heritage, Rocky Harbour Pond is a freshwater beach right in town, and local operators organize tours in the region. When choosing a vacation rental, it may help to first consider whether you want to focus your trip more on culture, water or excursions.

History and Regional Culture at the Lighthouse

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse is recognized as a federal heritage building for its historical associations and its architectural and environmental value. Its exhibition introduces the people and cultural heritage of the region through a variety of materials: visitors can see historical photographs and lighthouse keepers’ logbooks; audio recordings of folk songs add an auditory dimension to the exhibition. If you enjoy learning about regional culture in different ways, you’ll find images, songs and written records together in one place.

The Gros Morne Wildlife Museum also offers a tangible glimpse of regional products: its gift shop sells seal products and antler carvings. This is a different way to explore the region than through the historical photographs and logbooks at the lighthouse, and may interest visitors who want to discover crafts and products as well as exhibitions.

Water and Trails in Town

Rocky Harbour Pond is a freshwater beach right in Rocky Harbour. It gives the town a place by the water without the need to plan a trip to another destination. Rocky Harbour’s trails have specific road access points: Bottom Brook Trail can be reached via Main Street South or West Link Road. Rocky Harbour Lookout Trail is accessible at the end of Main Street North, heading toward the lighthouse. If you include these trails in your day’s plans, you can use the stated roads as a guide; the two access routes are clearly distinct.

Tours in Different Formats

Out East Adventures offers one- and multi-day hiking, backpacking and sightseeing tours in Rocky Harbour and Gros Morne National Park. The offerings differ both in duration and in the type of activity. If you’re considering a multi-day hike or backpacking trip, factor the planned tour duration into your stay. BonTours offers tours in Bonne Bay as well as sunset cruises. BonTours accepts in-person reservations at its office at 105 Pond Road in Rocky Harbour.

When choosing a vacation rental, your preferred focus for the trip can help guide you: would you mainly like to explore the town and its cultural offerings, or would you like tours to make up a larger part of your stay? The various offerings give you different starting points for planning without needing to combine them into a single route.

Art from Rocky Harbour

Traditions by Miranda creates fine, folk and functional art by Miranda Reid in Rocky Harbour. The Glass Station showcases glass art inspired by the treasures of the North Atlantic in its gallery. Both places offer their own perspectives on art: one features Miranda Reid’s work in several styles, while the other focuses on glass inspired by the North Atlantic. Together with the exhibitions at the lighthouse, they offer a cultural experience that encompasses historical records and different art forms.

Discover More Destinations

For planning the rest of your trip: Raleigh, Division No. 9, Subd. A, Norris Point, Saint Anthony, Roddickton, Port Saunders, Port Au Choix and Black Duck Cove.

For the regional travel overview: Division No. 9.