The name alone conjures up shipwrecks and those who ventured where they should not have.  This is a challenging site, and weather conditions should be taken into account.  While it is only 70 kilometres from St. John’s, it feels a world apart, and the road had surprisingly little traffic.  However, in July there was a waiting list to do the tour, which is the only way you can see the fossil area.  You need to book a few weeks ahead, and checking the forecast is a good idea too.  The tour does not go ahead in very wet, foggy or windy weather, so call before you proceed. The landscape is stunning, with open fields and wide vistas, as well as having sections with wildflowers and stunted forests created by the strong winds.  We were lucky to draw a dry day, and the 3 km walk each way is mainly difficult near the end where you have to ford a river by stepping on rocks.  These can be slippery when wet, and sometimes the water may be too deep to see the actual stepping stones.  

  Once near the fossil area, you need to put on felt booties, which protect the delicate rock faces but aren’t great for grip near a steep cliff edge and raging seas below.  The fossils themselves are interesting and are of sea life from ancient times and fairly eroded, so the guide is quite useful. Our tour consisted of mainly older people and one rambunctious child, so we were happy to make it back to the visitor centre without incident.  The staff were great, but there aren’t many facilities in the area to stay or eat.  Those of you who depend on public transport might prefer to rent a car. The gathering area near where the walk commences is some 15 minutes away from the Welcome Center and everyone usually goes there in a caravan of automobiles!

All in all, this site was unforgettable!

Visited 11JUL 2018