Port Rexton is a small community on Newfoundland's east coast, accessible via Route 230, and part of the twelve communities that make up Trinity Bight. With its accommodations, restaurants, and microbrewery, the village has developed its own distinct tourism identity while retaining the quiet character that makes it so appealing.

The History of Port Rexton

The Trinity Bight region, of which Port Rexton is a part, carries within it centuries of history. Traditional steep-roofed houses, restored fishermen's cabins, and nineteenth-century buildings dot the landscape, bearing witness to a past rooted in fishing and maritime life. The heritage sites scattered throughout the region offer a concrete glimpse into life in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Today, Port Rexton has renewed its appeal by developing a remarkable cultural and culinary scene, with restaurants, breweries, and artistic events like the Bonavista Biennale, an international contemporary visual art exhibition that transforms the region's landscapes and historic buildings every two years.

What to See in Port Rexton?

The Hiscock House

The Hiscock House is a provincial heritage site that traces the life of a widow raising six children in the late nineteenth century. She led a remarkable existence through her business acumen and resilience, and the walls of this house still bear the marks of her singular story today.

The Lester Garland House

Built around 1764, the Lester Garland House is a reconstruction on the site of Newfoundland's first brick house. Now a museum and learning center, it allows visitors to spend a day surrounded by carefully preserved artifacts that illuminate important chapters of local history.

The Champney's West Heritage House

The Champney's West Heritage House showcases daily life of centuries past through a collection of antique objects:

• fishing equipment and sailmaking tools
• household appliances and handcrafted furniture
• personal diaries and testimonies from former residents

These pieces add a touching human dimension to the visit.

The Random Passage Filming Site

At New Bonaventure, the filming site of the international television series Random Passage recreates an early 1800s fishing station. Houses, a church, wharves, and vegetable gardens compose an authentic ensemble that gives a concrete sense of what life was like in this region during the nineteenth century.

The English Harbour Arts Centre

Housed in a carefully restored Anglican church, the English Harbour Arts Centre offers throughout the summer:

• visual arts workshops for all ages
• creative retreats for artists and writers
• concerts and cultural events

It's a meeting place between the region's natural beauty and the creativity it inspires.

What to Do in Port Rexton?

Hiking

Port Rexton is an ideal base for discovering trails that hug the region's coastline. Two trails particularly stand out:

• The Skerwink Trail: a 5.3-kilometer loop around the headland of the same name, ranked among the 35 best trails in North America and Europe by Travel & Leisure magazine. Along the way, you may spot eagles, whales in season, icebergs, and spectacular rock formations.
• The Fox Island Trail: a route of just over 5 kilometers offering magnificent coastal scenery and passing through the fishing village of Champney's West, where an aquarium provides insights into local marine life.

These two trails are part of a network of eight routes at different difficulty levels, managed by Hike Discovery on the Discovery Trail.

Boat Excursions

Exploring Port Rexton from the sea offers a striking perspective on the coast and Trinity Bay. Excursions organized by local operators allow you to observe:

• humpback whales, minke whales, and sperm whales
• puffins, eagles, and gannets
• icebergs drifting along the coast in season

Various types of vessels are available, from zodiac boats to motor sailboats, depending on your preferences.

The Culinary Scene

Port Rexton has earned a solid reputation as a gastronomic destination. The Port Rexton Brewery offers a varied selection of lagers and ales in an open space where the brewing process is visible. Among must-visit restaurants, Fishers' Loft and Twine Loft at the Artisan Inn stand out for refined cuisine showcasing local products, while Two Whales Coffee Shop is known for its vegan options prepared with organic and local ingredients. Those with a sweet tooth will find their paradise at Sweet Rock Ice Cream Shop or Aunt Sarah's Chocolate Shop.

The Rising Tide Theatre

The Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity presents the Seasons in the Bight festival each summer, with a program of theatrical performances, dinner theater, and concerts that illuminate the stories that make Newfoundland unique. The New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant, the festival's flagship event, takes visitors on a journey to the eighteenth century through Trinity's historic buildings, brought to life by local actors and singers.

Around Port Rexton

Port Rexton is an ideal starting point for exploring the Bonavista Peninsula and its surroundings. Trinity, approximately 10 minutes to the west, is a historic town where every street tells a story, with its period signage, functioning cooperage, and still-active forge. It's a stop worth taking in its own right. Further afield, the Bonavista Peninsula offers an extensive network of trails and remarkable geological sites, some of which are part of the UNESCO Discovery Global Geopark, which traces 500 million years of natural history.

When to Visit?

The ideal period to visit Port Rexton extends from late May to mid-October, when activities and trails are fully accessible.

• June and July: this is iceberg season, with bergs drifting along the coast through July, offering a striking spectacle from the Skerwink Trail or during boat excursions. Temperatures remain mild and crowds are still moderate.
• July and August: high season, with temperatures between 15 and 20°C. This is the ideal time to fully enjoy hiking, boat excursions for whale watching, and Rising Tide Theatre performances.
• September: a good alternative to peak season. Crowds diminish, the climate remains pleasant, and landscapes take on autumn hues that add particular charm to the region.
• October to May: some accommodations and services close, and weather conditions can become unstable. Off-season visits are possible, but the range of activities is considerably reduced.

To reach Port Rexton, a car is practically essential. From St. John's, the journey takes about 3 hours via the Trans-Canada Highway to Clarenville, then Route 230, which skirts the Bonavista Peninsula to the village. For those coming from outside the province, St. John's International Airport is served by several airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, and PAL Airlines, from major Canadian cities.