TORRENT RIVER INN - LEARNING VACATIONS. National Historic Parks/Hawkes Bay. Hawkes Bay is 850 kms (530miles) from St. John's and 200 kms (130 miles) from Deer Lake airport midway on the Viking Trail, between Gros Morne National Park and L'anse-aux-Meadows Viking World Heritage Site on Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula. The National Historic Site at Port-aux-Choix with Maritime Archaic artifacts that date back over 4200 years, is only 20 minutes away. Hawkes Bay is a town nestled at the end of a beautiful inland bay, protected from the cold winds and fog experienced along the coast. The town is rich in it's own history, starting with whaling and moving on thru early aviation, sport fishing, logging, and river drives. Remnants of these early whaling activities and logging river drives are still visible along a well maintained 3 kilometer boardwalk that follows the banks of the Torrent River located adjacent to the Inn. The boardwalk ends at a 9-meter waterfall, the site of a present day salmon enhancement project. With runs of Atlantic salmon exceeding 8000, it is not hard to see in season (early July to late August) salmon attempting spectacular leaps in attempts to gain access over the falls. The beach in front of the Inn is a unique flat slab limestone pavement, bearing glacier scars in three different directions and inlaid with small fossils and tracks. It is listed in the Newfoundland Geological Guide and is a very interesting walk. The Torrent River Inn has been hosting Elderhostel, Routes to Learning, and RV/Travel Study programs for the past 15 years. Accommodations are in a newly renovated Inn or housekeeping units with private bath, restaurant, lounge, laundromat, banquet and meeting facilities on site. Vikings of L'anse-aux-Meadows. Vikings 0f L'anse-aux-Meadows involves a 3-4 hour lecture that traces the Norse migration westward to North America. The presentation includes a study of the Viking Age (793-1066 A.D.). It is a look at the society, religious beliefs, technology, economic affairs, and underlying circumstances that led to this movement westward from Scandinavia thru Iceland and Greenland on to North America. The lecture is followed up by a 3-4 hour visit to the National Historic site at L'anse-aux-Meadows, where presentations are offered, by Parks Canada interpreters and animators. Also included is a visit to Norstead, which will transport the visitor back to life during the Viking Age. Norstead is a historical representation of a bustling port-of-trade staffed by 30 professionally trained re-enactors. (Presenter - Bill Maynard). Ancient People of Port-aux-Choix. Ancient People of Port-aux-Choix involves a 3-4 hour lecture that traces the occupation of Port-aux-Choix from the Maritime Archaic people (4500 years B.C.) thru the Dorset and Groswater Eskimo occupation (3000-1500 B.C.) on to the Basque, French, and English occupation to the present time. This is followed up by a 2-3 hour visit to the National Historic site at Port-aux-Choix, plus visits to Archeological and living sites around the Port-aux-Choix peninsula. (Presenter - Barbara Gould). No Fish Swim is a study of the Newfoundland fishing industry, the recent collapse of the Northern Cod, the technologies of the past and present, polices to the industry, and present and future plans for this industry. The presentation is 3-4 hours, with a visit to a Marine Service Centre and Dockyard at Port Saunders (2 hours) to view working ships and equipment and talk with local fishers. This is followed up by a presentation on the results of an Enhancement program on the Torrent River for the Atlantic Salmon, and a visit to the site (3 hours), plus a visit to a seal tanning site to observe traditional methods of preparing seal leather. (Presenter - Joe Kennedy). Note: We do not currently offer any presentations about Sir Wilfred Grenfell, but we do visit the Interpretation Site and Museum at St. Anthony, which is dedicated to his life and work (2 hours). Speakers Biographies: Bill Maynard - The Norse Migration Westward Bill Maynard is Operations Manager and part owner of Maynard's Torrent River Inn. He has worked in this capacity for the past 8 years since completion of a Hospitality Management program at Westviking College in Stephenville. He was born in St. John's and moved with his family to Hawkes Bay in 1961, when he was just a boy. Upon completion of High School, he traveled across Canada and the U.S. with the Canadian military. Bill has done research on local and provincial events, industries and places. Most of this research took place in the provincial archives, reading books and interviewing local seniors. Upon taking on the task of coordinator of Elderhostel programs offered at Hawkes Bay, he studied the history of events, people and circumstances that led to the Norse people crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of North America. He is a very dynamic speaker and has developed a presentation to complement the follow up field trip to L'anse-aux-Meadows. Joe Kennedy - Newfoundland Fisheries Joe Kennedy was born and raised in Port Saunders, where he still resides today. Joe is the Regional Fisheries coordinator for the provincial Dept. of Fisheries Aquaculture, responsible for the west coast of Newfoundland and the southeast coast of Labrador. His responsibilities include, but are not limited to, liaison between fishers and loan / licensing boards, fish plant licensing, compilation of all fishery related statistics, and assessments of gear and boat types relating to catch effort, for the area. He has served in this capacity for the past 20 years. Never a man who is lost for words or opinions, Joe brings a first hand knowledge of the fisheries situation from the lucrative past, up to the depressed present, and the uncertain future. Barbara Gould - Ancient Peoples of Port-Aux-Choix Barbara Gould was born in, and currently resides at Port-aux- Choix. She holds a Degree in Archeology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. The discovery of Maritime Archaic artifacts and burials in her father's backyard during her high school years fostered an awareness and interest in archeology and history. She spent in excess of 10 seasons working under Dr. Priscilla Renouf, Parks Canada's chief archeologist at the Port-aux-Choix site. Barbara brings a wealth of first hand knowledge of the dig sites, methods, tools, and artifacts. She has worked as an interpreter at the Port-aux-Choix museum, and has excellent insight into the more recent history. She offers a well-rounded presentation that covers a 6500-year history of the area.

Welcome to the Torrent River Inn's website Main Page Will Load in 8 Seconds... Main Page Will Load in 8 Seconds... Broken links, conserns or suggestions please email: Did you know? McLean's magazine named the Great Northern Peninsula as one of the top eight destinations in Canada to visit in 2003. The magazine recommends that travelers trace the rugged Viking Trail in Western Newfoundland and that there is so much to do, it can be overwhelming. The Annual Rufus Guinchard Music Festival is held each year in late July to honor the memory of Hawke's Bay's cultural ambassador and one of Newfoundland's greatest fiddle players. The beachfront of Hawke's Bay, with its unique Geology of flat slab limestone rock bearing glacier scars in three different directions and inlaid with small fossils and tracks, is listed in the Newfoundland Geological Guide. We have a Pizza Delight Restaurant on site, offering a full menu that specializes in Newfoundland seafood. Field Stream magazine called the Torrent River Inn the unofficial headquarters for fishing in northern Newfoundland. With easy access to both Atlantic salmon and Eastern Brook trout the area offers the best fishing in all of Newfoundland. Our snowmobile package - the Great Northern Experience snowmobile tours combine the best of back country(long range mountains, lanse aux meadows, gros morne, icebergs, wildlife) and trail riding and is rapidly becoming a must-do for winter enthusiasts in Eastern Canada. Whatever the season the staff at the Torrent River Inn can structure a holiday package that combines your business or individual needs and objectives. You may choose from standard packages (Fishing, Hiking, Touring, ATV, Snowmobiling and Corporate retreats) or have one designed that is unique to your interests and budget. Maynard's Motel/Torrent River Inn is celebrating over 45 years in the Newfoundland hospitality industry. As a second-generation business, we continue to look for new opportunities and partners in the Group Travel market to grow our business, along with maintaining the high standards of customer satisfaction our guests have come to expect. Today we operate in a newly constructed and re-furnished, fully integrated motel building, offering full hospitality and restaurant services. Maynard's Torrent River Inn located in scenic Hawke's Bay where you find the best Salmon fishing and Snowmobiling in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Our Inn has been serving up famous Newfoundland hospitality to our Guests since 1961. We take great satisfaction in being your home base, during your visit to the Great Northern Peninsula and on to the Labrador. The town of Hawke's Bay is centrally located between Gros Morne National Park and L'anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, and just three hours from Red Bay National Historic Site, in southern Labrador. The Ingornachoix area encompasses the Port Aux Choix National Historic Site, the Torrent River Nature Park and is rich in history, culture, wildlife, scenery and natural attractions. Many of Newfoundland's historical sites, prized parks, unique sceneries, plus, world class sport fishing, hunting and snowmobile adventures are yours to discover at the Torrent River Inn on the Viking Trail. All Year Round. Proximity to major attractions: Gros Morne National Park -------------------- 100 km. (1.hr) L'Anse Aux Meadow's National Historic Site -- 180 km. (1.50min) Red Bay National Historic Site -------------- 170 km. (2.45 min) Battle Harbour National Historic Site ------- 200 km. (3.30 min) Labrador Ferry ------------------------------ 95 km. (1.hr) Port Aux Choix National Historic Site ------- 20 km. (15min) Torrent River Nature Park Boardwalk ------- Adjacent to Inn. The Torrent River Nature Park in Hawke's Bay has a full service Tourist Information Center and Municipal Park nestled on the banks of the Torrent River. The park boasts 10 fully serviced trailer/RV lots; overflow parking, a dumping station and a beautiful two-mile continuous boardwalk leading to the Million Dollar Salmon Ladder. Visitors can walk the boardwalk through the Nature Park and watch the mighty Atlantic salmon jumping as they attempt to climb the majestic falls on their way through the salmon ladder to reach their spawning grounds. Located adjacent to the park is Maynard's accommodations, offering a wide range of vacation services in the hospitality industry for the past 45 years.

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Baby chairs and cots are provided
 Luggage storage
 Rent-a-car service
 Central situation
 Clothes dry cleaning
 Conference and meeting room
 Credit cards accepted
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Disabled guests are welcome
 Facsimile services
 Games room
 Hairdryer
 Hairdresser's saloon
 Access to internet
 Jacuzzi tub
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Licensed bar
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Around-the-clock recetpion
 Parking lot
 Quiet surroundings
 Clock/radio
 Restaurant
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phones in rooms
 TV sets in rooms
 Cheques accepted