Isaac’s Harbour to Whitehead
Tor Bay.
Welcome to
Tor Bay
The wild islands of the Eastern Shore continue in earnest along this rugged and relatively pristine coast. Rocky shorelines and headlands are punctuated by wonderful beaches along the way, and the islands are wild with many inhabited by colonies of hundreds or even thousands of seabirds. From serene and sheltered harbours to rugged shores with breaking waves, this is a coastline to explore.
Our Nature
Isaac’s Harbour.
A drive down the Issac’s Harbour Road reveals the community and harbour views and at the road’s end (with a short distance of dirt road) includes an outstanding view of the outer reaches of Country Harbour. A short hike further will even take you to the Isaac’s Harbour Lighthouse.
Read More
Isaac’s Harbour always has seabirds: gulls, cormorants, terns, and loons in the summer; and grebes, scooters, loons, gulls and alcids in the winter. There are always great birds and other wildlife to be seen.
Our Nature
Goldboro to Tor Bay.
Take short tours down the connecting roads and see the true beauty of the area and watch for birds and other wildlife. If you are a birder, a must-see is the tidal marsh and sandflat at the mouth of New Harbour. There is always a variety of birds, and the place has had many vagrants show-up over the years. Along this coastal drive, calm days make for great birding and beach exploring. Windy days provide stunning views of crashing waves. Have your camera ready, either way.
Our Nature
Radar Base Trail.
The Radar Base Trail is 9 km long one-way and is best pursued by experiences hikers. The trail is actually a 150-year-old road that was the first overland route constructed in the area, joining coastal communities at Chedabucto Bay with those at Tor Bay. Skirting the edge of the Bonnet Lake Barrens Wilderness Area, this area incorporates an ancient landscape created by bedrock faulting and glacial movement. Granite barrens exposed to foggy climates and wind-swept conditions, have created lakes and streams, bogs, and coastal fir and black spruce forests.
Read More
This is a wild place, home to coastal barrens wildlife and vegetation with some rare plant species.
To find the trail head on the Queensport side, look for St. Vincent DePaul’s Church. Below the hill of the church on the right, you will find a small gravel clearing leading to the trail head. To access the Cole Harbour entrance, turn left toward Cole Harbour from Highway 316. The backside of a stop sign facing into the trail identifies the trail head.
Our Nature
Loyalist Trail.
Near Isaac’s Harbour on Highway 316 is a lovely, forested trail to the shores of Country Harbour. Interpretive signs at the trail head describe the walk ahead and provide the context for the rich history and hard times experienced by the Black Loyalists that settled in the area. This 2km long trail (4km return) constitutes a hardy walk but has a wonderful reward at the end with more history information, picnic tables, and a spectacular view of Country Harbour.
Our Nature
Tor Bay.
But go straight for a bit and explore community of Tor Bay. The coastal community is very picturesque, and the birds in the many little coves are great. The views of Tor Bay are also outstanding. Make a stop at Tor Bay Provincial Park. This is a hidden gem, with two outstanding white sandy beaches and large coastal outcrops that large waves break upon.
Our Nature
Charlos Cove to Whitehead.
You will want to explore each shore road for scenery, coastal communities, and great birding in the harbours. Watch for seabirds, terns and eiders, and during the winter watch for open waters in the harbours and around coastal rocky shores for northern seabirds, waterfowl and purple sandpipers. This is a natural delight.
Tor Bay
Our Culture.
There are a number of culture stops worth exploring in the Tor Bay region. Here history and community pride are on display for your enjoyment. The coastal drive provides insights into how people live by the sea and includes a vibrant Acadian culture that is a testament to how these people shifted from farming to fishing as a core to their community livelihood. You can get out on the water, explore interpretive displays, and take in a festival to learn about the extraordinary history and culture of Tor Bay and area.
Goldboro Interpretive Centre
On Highway 316 at Goldboro is the Goldboro Interpretive Centre. Here you can learn about the local area and see historic photographs regarding fishing, forestry, mining, and shipbuilding from both the past and the present. You can also enjoy the wharf with it’s great view of the harbour and get an ice cream or snack. People often fish for mackerel off of the wharf as well.
Parc de Nos Ancêtres
Continuing on to Larry’s River, you will find the Parc de Nos Ancêtres. It is a series of stones located across from the Catholic Church. The park concept is the creation of la Société des Acadiens de la Région de Tor Baie and reflects the area’s culture and history. Ten paintings on the large stones reveal the history of the local Acadians from France through the deportation and eventual settlement at Tor Bay.
Place Savalette
Continuing on to Port Felix you will find another connection to the history of the area with extraordinary implications for the colonization of New France. Place Savalette is an historic commemoration site overlooks much of Tor Bay. It tells the story of Captain Savalette and his contribution to history through his meeting and influence of Samuel de Champlain, Marc LesCarbot, and Nicholas Denys, among others. His good relationship with the Mi’kmaw People, and the benefits that came with real connections, was a significant influence on Samuel de Champlain.
Community Events
If you are travelling during the first week of August, you must take in Festival Savalette. This is a celebration of the Acadian culture of the region. Enjoy great food, music, and Acadian hospitality and traditions.
Lonely Rock Seaside Bungalows
150 New Harbour Rd, Larrys River
Learn More
Murphy's Inn
6163 Hwy 316, Larry’s River
Learn More
Seawind Landing Country Inn
159 Wharf Rd., Charlos Cove
Learn More
Seawind Landing Restaurant
159 Wharf Rd., Charlos Cove
Learn More