Harbour Breton was the very first stop on my Newfoundland road trip, and I couldn’t have picked a better place to begin.
I had been looking forward to visiting one of Newfoundland’s traditional outports. An outport is a small coastal community that was historically built around the fishery, often isolated from larger towns and accessible only by boat for much of its history.
While many outports were eventually connected by road or resettled, they remain an important part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s history and identity.
Harbour Breton is located on the Connaigre Peninsula along Newfoundland’s south coast, surrounded by the fjords and bays of the Coast of Bays region. Today, it’s home to just over 1,500 people.
I spent two nights here, hiking to panoramic lookouts, learning about Harbour Breton’s history, and visiting the surrounding region. If you’re planning a road trip through southern Newfoundland, here are my favourite things to do in Harbour Breton.
Ktaqmkuk, the Mi’kmaq name for the island of Newfoundland, is the traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq.
A Quick History of Harbour Breton
One thing I really appreciated about Harbour Breton was how easy it was to learn about its history.
Throughout town, you’ll find interpretive signs that explain everything from local landmarks to the fishing industry and the environmental challenges the community faces. I found myself stopping to read almost every one.
Like many Newfoundland outports, Harbour Breton developed because of its protected natural harbour, which provided safe anchorage for fishing vessels and easy access to the rich fishing grounds of Fortune Bay.
It was first settled in the 1600s because of the cod fishery, and for centuries the community relied heavily on the Grand Banks fishery.
In 1962, the opening of the Columbia Packers fish processing plant created jobs for many local residents and became a major part of the town’s economy.
Like many Newfoundland communities, Harbour Breton was deeply affected by the 1992 cod moratorium.
When the commercial cod fishery was shut down to help depleted stocks recover, the local economy changed dramatically. The fish plant eventually closed its wild capture processing operations in 2004, leading many residents to leave in search of work elsewhere.
Today, aquaculture has become an important part of Harbour Breton’s economy, alongside shellfish fisheries for species like snow crab, shrimp, and lobster.
As you visit the town, you’ll also notice information about current challenges, including the spread of invasive European green crab and the work being done to protect local marine ecosystems. I really liked that the story being told wasn’t just about the past. It also explained how Harbour Breton continues to adapt today.
How to Get to Harbour Breton
Harbour Breton is located on Newfoundland’s south coast, on the Connaigre Peninsula. The easiest way to get here is by car.
From St. John’s, the drive takes about 5.5 hours via the Trans-Canada Highway before turning south onto Highway 360 through the Coast of Bays region. If you’re travelling from Gander, it’s about a 3-hour drive.
I visited Harbour Breton as the first stop on my Newfoundland road trip before continuing north to Gander, Trinity, and St. John’s.
It’s a longer drive than you might expect, but the scenery along Highway 360, especially around Bay d’Espoir, is part of the experience. Give yourself plenty of time for photo stops and keep an eye out for moose along the way.
8 Best Things to Do in Harbour Breton, Newfoundland
1. Sunny Cottage Heritage Centre
Sunny Cottage Heritage Centre is one of the first places I’d recommend visiting in Harbour Breton. The house was built between 1907 and 1910 for local fish merchant John J. Rose and has since been turned into a museum that tells the story of the community.
Each room focuses on a different part of Harbour Breton’s history, covering everything from the fishing industry and resettlement to the families who lived here.
One thing I didn’t expect was that Sunny Cottage also serves breakfast during opening hours, making it an easy place to start your day before exploring Harbour Breton. Guided tours are also available whenever the museum is open.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during one of the Sunny Cottage Garden Parties, you’ll also find traditional Newfoundland music, local food, and games on the grounds.
During the 2026 season, Sunny Cottage is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Gunn Hill Lookout Trail
Gunn Hill Lookout Trail is an iconic hike in Harbour Breton, I think it’s a must-do!
The hike brings you up to one of the best viewpoints in the Coast of Bays. From the lookout, you can see Harbour Breton, the surrounding fjords, and communities scattered along the coastline. On a particularly clear day, locals even say you can spot the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon on the horizon.
Gunn Hill Lookout Trail is an out-and-back hike that’s about 3.5 km long with roughly 250 metres of elevation gain. It took us around 1.5 hours to complete, including plenty of time at the summit to enjoy the view.
Although the hike isn’t long, it’s a steady climb the entire way up, followed by a descent back down. The trail includes a mix of ramps and staircases that make the steepest sections easier to manage. We counted about 196 stairs on the way to the top!
When you reach the lookout point, you’ll find a viewing platform with interpretive signage that explains the history behind Gunn Hill, as well as benches where you can take a rest.
Standing about 183 metres (600 feet) above sea level, the hill originally went by the name Strickland’s Head before becoming known as Gunn Hill after cannons were placed here.
The cannons protected the nearby Newman & Company premises and were also fired to test their range and accuracy.
The lookout later became an important observation point for ships travelling through Fortune Bay. Someone would often be stationed here to watch for vessels arriving from Europe so the community could prepare to unload supplies and cargo.
Weather in Harbour Breton can be foggy, even in summer, so I recommend timing the Gunn Hill Lookout Trail for a window of clear weather. There is a small parking lot at the trailhead where you can leave your vehicle for free.
3. Hickey Landslide Memorial Site
Harbour Breton’s history hasn’t always been easy, and one of the most significant events took place in 1973.
On August 1, 1973, after weeks of heavy rain, drizzle, fog, and overcast weather, the hillside above the community became saturated with water and gave way.
The landslide travelled more than 200 metres downhill, destroying homes before reaching the harbour. Four Hickey children, Pauline (8), Eddie (7), Timothy (6), and Julie (4), lost their lives, while more than 20 others survived, several with injuries.
Families whose homes were destroyed or left at risk were later relocated to other parts of the community.
Today, you can still see the scar left by the landslide, where vegetation has never fully returned. A monument was erected in 1997 to remember those who lost their lives and everyone whose homes and belongings were lost.
It only takes a few minutes to visit, but I think this is an important stop. We were told that many people in the community still feel the loss of the four Hickey children, and so to visit the memorial is a nice way to pay homage.
4. Dockside Cafe & Eatery
Located at the Elliott Premises overlooking the marina, Dockside Café & Eatery is a relaxed spot for a meal after spending time visiting the town.
The menu includes sandwiches, soups, seafood, baked goods, and coffee – We really enjoyed their caesar salad and calamari.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating. If the weather is nice, be sure to sit outdoors, because the patio has a nice view of the town.
Dockside Café & Eatery is actually attached to Harbour Breton’s visitor information centre, so it’s an easy place to stop if you’re looking for maps, local recommendations, or souvenirs.
There’s also a small antique shop (I couldn’t figure out if it had a name!) tucked behind the visitor centre. We had fun spending a few minutes looking at all the interesting items on display. And of course, we had to sign the shop’s guestbook!
5. Rocky Point Lighthouse
Built in 1873, Rocky Point Lighthouse is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador. A short gravel walking trail of just a few hundred metres leads from the parking area to the lighthouse and surrounding viewpoints.
On your way there, keep an eye out for one of Harbour Breton’s quirkiest attractions. Just a minute or so along Southside Drive, we stumbled across a little colony of ducks that have become local celebrities.
They even have their own tiny houses beside the creek, along with a sign asking visitors to feed them responsibly. We pulled over for a few minutes to watch them waddle around, swim through the water, and greet everyone who stopped by.
Once you reach Rocky Point, you’ll look across Harbour Breton Bay toward Jersey Harbour and other resettled communities along the Coast of Bays.
The lighthouse’s distinctive red and white stripes make it a great photo stop, and if you’re visiting in summer, keep an eye out for Newfoundland’s provincial flower, the pitcher plant, growing alongside the trail.
One of the many ducks!
6. Go on a Boat Tour or Kayaking
Getting out on the water gives you a completely different perspective of Harbour Breton.
Local operators, including Breton Chalet & Suites, offer boat tours around the Coast of Bays where you’ll pass waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, sea birds, the Jersey Harbour shipwreck, and the steep shoreline that gives this part of Newfoundland its fjord-like scenery. Depending on the season, you may also spot whales or bald eagles!
If you prefer to get on the water independently, kayaking is another great option when conditions are calm. Paddling through the protected waters lets you appreciate just how rugged this coastline is.
7. Church of England Cemetery
After learning about Harbour Breton’s early families at Sunny Cottage Heritage Centre, I found it interesting to stop by the Church of England Cemetery.
Many of the headstones date back generations and belong to the same families whose stories are told throughout the museum.
Walking among them adds another layer of context and gives you a sense of just how long people have lived, worked, and raised families along this coastline.
It isn’t a large cemetery, but if you’re interested in local history, it’s well worth a stop.
Visiting it after Sunny Cottage helped connect the names, stories, and history I had just learned with the people who built Harbour Breton over the past two centuries.
8. Drive the Coast of Bays Route
One of the best parts of visiting Harbour Breton is simply taking your time along the Coast of Bays (Highway 360).
This route winds through forests, small communities, and rocky shorelines, but the highlight for me was the drive alongside Bay d’Espoir, one of Newfoundland’s beautiful fjords.
From the road, you get sweeping views from high above the water, looking out across the fjord to the forested hills on the opposite shore.
We also spotted three moose along this drive, all grazing on vegetation beside the highway. Moose sightings are fairly common in this part of Newfoundland, especially around dawn and dusk when they’re more active.
Because of that, it’s important to take your time, stick to the speed limit, and avoid driving after dark whenever possible. A moose can step onto the road with very little warning, so staying alert is essential.
Bonus: Miawpukek Annual Powwow
If you’re visiting Harbour Breton at the beginning of July, I highly recommend making the one-hour drive to the Miawpukek Annual First Nation Powwow.
This annual powwow typically happens on the first weekend of July. It welcomes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous attendees and is an opportunity to experience Mi’kmaq culture through dancing, drumming, food, and community gatherings.
During my visit, I watched the Grand Entry, learned about the significance of different dances, tasted traditional foods, and enjoyed the community feast that is hosted to wrap up the day.
You can find details about the annual powwow, here.
Where to Stay in Harbour Breton?
We stayed at Breton Chalet & Suites, and I’d happily recommend it if you’re spending a few days in Harbour Breton.
The property overlooks the water and is within easy driving distance of the town’s hiking trails, points of interest, and historic sites.
One thing that sets Breton Chalet & Suites apart is that they also offer guided boat tours around the Coast of Bays.
If you’re hoping to get out on the water to see waterfalls, fjords, wildlife, or nearby communities, it’s a convenient option since everything can be booked in one place.
After a full day of exploring, it was a comfortable place to come back to and made a great base for visiting Harbour Breton and the surrounding area.
Oh, and, they have a hot tub! We didn’t have time to use it during our stay, but it’s a nice perk if you’d like to have a relaxing evening.
When is The Best Time To Visit Harbour Breton?
The best time to visit Harbour Breton is between June and September, when hiking trails, boat tours, and seasonal businesses are all operating.
July and August are the warmest months and the longest daylight hours, while early July is the best time to visit if you’d like to attend the annual Miawpukek First Nation Powwow.
Keep in mind that weather on Newfoundland’s south coast can change quickly. During my visit, fog regularly rolled in and out, so it’s worth being flexible with your plans, especially if you’re hoping to hike Gunn Hill or get out on the water.
Why I Recommend Two Nights in Harbour Breton
I think Harbour Breton is worth spending at least a couple of nights in, especially if you’re interested in learning more about Newfoundland beyond its most-visited places.
Over two days, we had time to hike Gunn Hill, get out on the water, visit museums and historic sites, and drive the Coast of Bays. What I enjoyed most was how those experiences connected with one another.
The history I learned at Sunny Cottage gave more meaning to places like the Church of England Cemetery and the Landslide Memorial, making the town feel much more than a collection of attractions.
From Harbour Breton, you can continue your Newfoundland road trip north to the Exploits Islands, where you’ll learn even more about outport life and Newfoundland’s history, before heading to Trinity.
Together, these three stops tell very different parts of Newfoundland’s story, from the fishery and resettlement to the communities that continue to shape the province today.
I want to thank Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism for hosting Lucas and I as media. All opinions expressed are my own. If you enjoyed this blog, you’ll love my newsletter, as well as my Facebook group. You’re welcome to join these communities – would love to see you there!
