Town of Carbonear - Attractions
[For Recreational Facilities Click Here]
Places to Go
The George W. Earle Promenade follows the banks of the Ponds, which are adjacent to the Trinity Conception Community Centre and the College of the North Atlantic, Carbonear Campus. George W. Earle is a former mayor of Carbonear who is well known for his enthusiastic promotion of the town. Click here for an article by Bill Bowman of the Compass about George W. Earle' s role in the town. (January 30th, 2007)
Join people strolling around the boardwalk at all times of the day, enjoy the peaceful beauty of water, birds, and the fountain while gazing over the Harbour towards Carbonear Island. In the summer months, you can rent a row boat to row around the Pond.
Starting July 13, 2009 - HISTORIC WALKING TOURS TOWN OF CARBONEAR Walks start from the Railway Station Museum, next door to the Civic Centre. Planter's Walk: Monday & Tuesday – 10:30 a.m.; Willoughby Walk: Wednesday & Thursday – 3 p.m.; Moxley Cemetery Walk: Friday – 7 p.m. For more information >>
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Earle's Riding Horses offer trail rides, pony rides, and Birthday Party Packages; as well as having "bounce about castles" for children.
Web Site: www.earlesridinghorses.piczo.com Email: earles_riding_horses@hotmail.com
56 Janes Avenue, Carbonear, NL A1Y 1A4 Canada (709) 596-7854
The Carbonear Cinema shows movies at the same time as they are released all over Canada. 42 Powell Drive Carbonear, NL A1Y 1C2 Telephone: 709-596-2459 Check their website - www.carbonearcinemas.com - to see which movies are playing.
Island Charter Tours (E & S Diving Services) provide a full range of Charters & Tours, inlcuding: whale watching, bird watching, iceberg tours, mussel boil, private charters, evening tours, and scuba diving charters. The MV 3 Ladies is a 33 foot (Transport Canada certified for 12 passengers) Tour & Diving Support Vessel. All tours require a minimum of 4 Adults. Departure times are flexible. Please contact Island Charter Tours for pricing and to book a departure time. In operation from May to September. 107 Valley Road, Carbonear, NL A1Y 1A7 Telephone: 709-596-4479 / 589-8574 Email: es_dving@yahoo.com Website: www.islandchartertours.com
Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre - hosts Rebel Island Theatre, and is the site of many local and international productions throughout the year. It is a 384 seat, air conditioned and wheelchair accessible facility, set in the heart of the town. The theatre, which is located in the Conception Bay Regional Community Centre at 256 Water Street in Carbonear, has perhaps one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in the province.
Directly facing the Carbonear harbour, it is adjacent to the extensive Earle Memorial Boardwalk which encircles the Ponds. Since opening in 1998, the Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre has become the principal centre for the performing arts in Carbonear and many of the surrounding towns. The well designed and attractive theatre is a source of pride for the entire Baccalieu Trail region. Check the Theatre site to see which events are on stage.
Museums
Please Note: The Railway Station Museum and the Tourist Information Centre are currently closed for renovations.
Located in the historic Railway Station next door to the Conception Bay North Community Centre and adjacent to the Earle Memorial Boardwalk, the Railway Station Museum features many exhibits on the historic past of Carbonear, including an exhibit called Going Foreign, which details the history of the town's sea captains who brought ships to ports all over the world.
The Railway Station Museum also contains tourist information and extensive genealogical records. The Carbonear Museum is open daily from June to September, and off season by appointment. For information call709-596-2532/0714
Website: Carbonear Heritage Society
Photography courtesy of Dean Parsons
www.groundeffectimaging.com
Built in 1874, the Rorke Store features a museum exhibit and artifacts. Located on historic Water Street in Carbonear, this mercantile structure was built in 1874 and has a post and beam construction with large ship knees. The building houses a museum exhibit, Balancing The Scales, that chronicles the history of Carbonear’s longest lived business and of the people of Carbonear. An array of images and original artifacts tell the story of the generations-old connection to the Labrador fishery from the days of the merchant to the life of the stationer. These displays demonstrate the history of the fishing industry in Carbonear in the 1800s and 1900s. Hours: 10am - 5pm, Admission: $2.00, 56 Water St., PO Box 999, Carbonear, A1Y 1C5 For information call : (709) 596-4949.
Major Historic Sites
Carbonear Island
WEBSITE: www.carbonearisland.com
Carbonear Island is of interest for three main reasons:
- On the island and around the island, it is possible to observe seabirds and whales. A boat trip to the island is fascinating. Whales breach near the boat and sometimes swim under the boat, jumping out of the water on the other side.
- Two magnificent eagles make their home on the small rock formation that looks like the map of Newfoundland which is in front of Carbonear Island. [see picture of rock formation above]
For pictures of the eagles "at home," click here. (If you have more pictures, please email them to the town at info@carbonear.ca and we will add them to the website. - Carbonear Island is the site of famous battles in the war between the English and the French for control of North America. The fortification of the Island in 1679 played an important role in sustaining an English stronghold in Newfoundland against French sieges in 1697 and 1705. In the spring of 1696, Pierre D'Iberville received orders to destroy the English settlements in Newfoundland. As the French advanced, people from surrounding villages of the Avalon Peninsula took refuge on Carbonear Island to prepare their makeshift evacuation center for attack. [Baccalieu: Crossroads for Cultures provides a detailed account of the role of Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Carbonear Island.]
As the only place on the Avalon the French could not capture, it was a safe haven for English residents from all over the region who were fleeing the French attacks . It is still possible to see remnants of fortifications and cannons on the island if you travel there by boat. (A history board in the town of Carbonear displays the history of the Island which in 1981 was designated a National Heritage Site.)
Photography courtesy of Dean Parsons
www.groundeffectimaging.com
Harbour Rock Hill offers a scenic view overlooking Carbonear Harbour. In 1812 Mr H.C.Wats requested three guns to protect the town from American privateers. Two of the guns can be seen today on Harbour Rock Hill. The Site has a history board where visitors can read about the history.
( Princess Sheila NaGeira)
On Pike's Line near the College of the North Atlantic there is a small park dedicated to the legendary Princess Sheila NaGeira, whose marriage to Gilbert Pike, is said to mark the beginning of the Pike Family. The site contains a story board giving the history of the Pike / Soper Families, which are among the oldest known families in the province.
Major Heritage Structures
The architecture along Water Street demonstrates the prominence of Carbonear's past. Carbonear boasts ten Registered Heritage Structures
- The Rorke Mercantile Premises
Built between 1860 & 1874 and open to the public today. During summer months the local theatre group, Rebel Island Theatre performs there. - 62 Water Street
A private residence built in 1919, which has been restored. - Keneally House
Built between 1839 and 1849, Keneally currently a B&B which is open during the summer. - Post Office Building
Constructed in 1905, the Post Office Building is still in use today. - Railway Station Building
The Railway Station Building was over by the Carbonear Heritage Society, restored, and turned into a museum for the town and a tourist information centre.: - St. James Anglican Church
The church was consecrated by Bishop Field on November 10, 1864. The church is still used by the Anglican congregation. - Peach's Farm, also known as Soper's Farm,
A privately owned building which was built between 1830 and 1833. - Pinehurst
Built between 1922 and 1931, Pinehurst is currently known as the NaGeira House, Tea Room, & Gift Shop. It is open all year around. - Powell House
A privately owned home built in 1899; - Rorke's Stone Jug
This large Georgian-style stone building is currently operated as a pub.
