Captain Cook's Trail

OVERVIEW

Learn how British explorer James Cook honed his considerable skills as a captain and navigator in Newfoundland before gaining fame for his discoveries and voyages in the Pacific. You will see a statue celebrating Cook’s accomplishments at the Captain James Cook National Historic Site in Corner Brook, an area he surveyed in such detail in the 1760s that many of his charts were still used in the 20th century. As you drive into the surrounding countryside, you will follow a route through delightful fishing villages inhabited by people of English, French and Aboriginal ancestries. The rugged coastal scenery hasn’t changed much in the centuries since Cook sailed here. It is still pristine, naturally beautiful and teeming with wildlife. For a different perspective of life in Corner Brook, you will stop for tea and Newfoundland specialties with some residents of nearby Lark Harbor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the influence of Captain James Cook in Newfoundland.
• Stop at the Captain James Cook National Historic Site.
• Drive along the rugged coastline that Captain Cook surveyed in the 1760s.
• Enjoy snacks with a group of congenial local residents.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Be prepared for the possibility of rain.