Surrounded by coastline, spectacular views, and an abundance of walking trails, Conception Bay South is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s also a world-class geology and archaeology destination.
Visitors can enjoy scenic day parks, green spaces, beaches, and recreational facilities, as well as public boat launches for recreational boaters to get out on the water and take in some of those epic views. Conception Bay South is home of the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club and the start of the world-renowned East Coast Trail. You will definitely want to take your photo at the very start of this 300+ kilometre destination trail! If you are walking our trails, please read our information on trail etiquette.
Maps
Conception Bay South’s Tourism Map and Town Map are your guides to the best our community has to offer. Find your way to the finest experiences available in the region. Take in stunning natural attractions, spend a day on the bay, and dine with a view – all in Conception Bay South.
With many accessible walking trails, Chamberlains Park is a beautiful park for people of all ages and abilities, especially families, seniors, and people with activity limitations. The park accommodate many different interest groups and provides a place for schools and local daycares to take nature walks. Chamberlains Park has two trailheads that may be accessed at 2608 Topsail Road and 17 Chaytors Road.
Topsail Beach features an extensive picnic area, playground, gazebo, and amphitheater. Topsail Beach is accessed via Topsail Beach Road, off Topsail Road.
For nature lovers, Conception Bay South offers the perfect backdrop for hiking. It’s where you’ll find the starting point of the world-renowned East Coast Trail – Newfoundland’s famous coastline network that is over 300 kilometers long. The trail head starts at Topsail Beach.
The Conception Bay South T’Railway is a beautiful, non-motorized trail that traces the old Newfoundland Railway rail bed. It passes through forested areas and over the stunning Manuels River valley, before making its way to the shoreline. While trekking along this coastal walk, you’ll often see icebergs, whales, and sea birds.
The T’Railway is 14 kilometres long, starting from Spruce Hill Road in the east and ending at Doyles Road in the west. Eventually, another 4 kilometres will be added at Indian Pond, at the Town’s western boundary. The T’Railway is for hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and many other healthy lifestyle activities. The developed portion of the T’Railway is maintained year-round, so there’s always an opportunity for adventure!
Boasting the same width and grade of the original rail bed, the T’Railway is an accessible trail for all ages and mobility levels. People may access the trail from designated parking areas, and also from any number of informal access points along the route. Along the way, you will find trail signage that highlights parking areas, garbage receptacles, as guidelines for trail users. For more information about the T’Railway, please contact the Economic Development and Tourism Department at 709-834-6500 ext. 701 or e-mail ecdev@conceptionbaysouth.ca.
Manuels River is an internationally known site for fossilized trilobites that are millions of years old and found in the shale beds along the lower section of the river. The Manuels River Experience preserves and interprets the natural, cultural, and geological history of Manuels River through educational, recreational, and conservation programs.
This beautiful wooded trail follows the Kelligrews River, from the Kiwanis Club of Kelligrews (925 Conception Bay Hwy) to Legion Road. Storyboards at the start of the trail detail the history of Thomas Ricketts, a Newfoundland soldier awarded the Victoria Cross during WWI. Trail is accessible for wheelchairs and bicycles.
The Downtown Walk is an urban pedestrian system that incorporates both the natural and built foot paths that connect hubs of activity in our community. The Downtown Walk includes a portion of the CBS T’railway, streets within the Downtown CBS Business Improvement Area, and a newly constructed woodland path that links Bishops Road and Greenslades Place. The Downtown Walk connects the shops, restaurants and services found in Downtown CBS with bustling sites including Manuels River, Ocean Quest Adventures, and the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club. See the below map for more details about the route for the Downtown Walk.
Are you looking for a delicious meal with an incredible ocean view? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to sail, or you’d just like to have some fun at a social event. The Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club has it all!
Boat Tours & Adventures Under the Ocean
Have you ever been close enough to feel the spray of a whale or to reach out off a boat and touch an iceberg? Local tour operators provide a variety of tour options for sightseeing, whale watching, and ocean activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling. For more information please visit Ocean Quest.
Take a Drive Along the Coast
Conception Bay South hugs the coastline for 26 kilometres. The downtown core has many great places to stop for food, ice cream, coffee, craft beer, and locally owned places to shop. We recommend stopping at Topsail Beach Rotary Park for a picnic, campfire, or unsupervised public swimming. There is a great playground for kids and amazing views of our spectacular sunsets. This is a popular spot for whale watchers.
Living here isn't all fun and games, it just feels that way.