Spaniard's Bay: Fossils, Coast and Heritage

Spaniard's Bay brings together coastal geology, a waterscape and built history. Its location on the Baccalieu Trail along Route 70 is a clear geographical reference point. The area's special features include protected coastal outcrops with Ediacaran fossils, the Shearstown Estuary and historic buildings. When looking for a vacation rental, you can first ask yourself what you would like to shape your stay: natural history, architecture or both.

Coastal Geology and Waterscape

At the Green Head Locality in Spaniard's Bay, protected coastal outcrops contain rock with well-preserved Ediacaran fossils. This gives the coastal landscape a geological dimension: the fossils point to a very early period in Earth's history. A fossil find associated with Spaniard's Bay has been dated to 565 million years ago. This timescale takes you far beyond human history and can be an engaging conversation starter when travelling with children.

The Shearstown Estuary also shapes the area's connection with nature. Spaniard's Bay borders the estuary, which receives both fresh water from the Shearstown River and salt water from Spaniard's Bay. This gives you a second perspective on the landscape: alongside the fossils, the focus here is on the meeting of fresh and salt water. Those who enjoy comparing nature-related themes will find geological and water-related features here that differ considerably in character.

Churches and Built History

Spaniard's Bay United Church at 006 Church Hill is a wooden church building in the Gothic Revival style of the late 19th century. Its distinctive architectural features include a pointed steeple and a tower with the main entrance. The church was built in 1894 at the foot of Church Hill. It is protected for its historic, aesthetic and environmental values. Its construction date, style and reasons for protection offer different ways to explore its history: from its historical context to its design and the values associated with the building.

The Wesley Gosse Heritage Museum is located in the former United Church at 6 Church Hill in Spaniard's Bay. The building's former use as a church is also part of the area's history.

Another registered heritage building is the residence of Mark and Elizabeth Gosse. Mark Gosse Sr. built it in 1901; many of its original windows and doors remain. The residence is considered a good example of a merchant-built home in rural Newfoundland. Compared with the Gothic Revival church, the focus here is on a residence and its preserved architectural features. The windows and doors make the architectural description tangible, while its classification as a merchant's home draws attention to another type of building.

Travel Planning Guide

Spaniard's Bay is on the Baccalieu Trail along Route 70. When starting your search for a vacation rental, you can consider this location alongside your interests in the coast, Earth's history and heritage. This lets you set your own priorities when choosing a destination instead of searching only by accommodation type.

The area also has a public boat slipway at a public wharf. If you plan to use it, check the current operating conditions in advance. Hiking is also mentioned as an activity in the wetlands in the joint wetlands management plan for Spaniard's Bay and Bay Roberts. Together, a route connection, a local boat slipway and the reference to hiking opportunities complement the area's nature and heritage themes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Riverhead, Dildo, Heart's Content, Carbonear, Pouch Cove, Holyrood, Placentia, Green's Harbour.

Return to the main travel overview: Division No. 1.