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Root Cellars

Welcome to Elliston "The Root Cellar Capital of the World"A Proud Community in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://discoverygeopark.com/">Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark</a>!• Explore historic root cellars, the foundation of our community's subsistence story. • View Atlantic Puffins from one of North America's premier land-based sites. • Reflect on the legacy of the sealing disaster that claimed many lives from this community. • Savour local flavours at our restaurant and our celebrated culinary event called "Roots, Rants and Roars". As a non-profit, we champion sustainable tourism that benefits our community. Discover an authentic adventure with us.

Visit iconic lighthouses with stories of maritime heritage and enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Historical Lighthouse Tours

Join guided birdwatching tours to spot rare seabirds and learn about their habitats and behaviors.

Birdwatching Excursions

Discover unique handmade goods and meet the artisans behind Elliston’s vibrant crafts scene.

Picture taken by our daughter Flora Saltzmann

Local Artisan Market

Participate in hands-on workshops featuring traditional crafts and storytelling from the Newfoundland heritage.

Elliston Cultural Workshops

Explore the stunning coastline with expert guides who share insights into local flora, fauna, and history.

Guided Coastal Hikes

The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elliston,+NL/@48.6339895,-53.0442293,16.58z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4b75aa6f9679b57b:0xfa5b64a635b93214!8m2!3d48.632799!4d-53.0404312!16zL20vMGJxcXNx?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyOC4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA2OUgBUAM%3D">tourism information centre </a>is located within the historic Ryan's Building on Elliston's Main Road and is operated by the knowledgeable staff of the Elliston Adventure Craft store. This hub provides essential local knowledge to visitors regarding local and regional attractions. If you want first hand general information on root cellars, puffins, icebergs, hiking trails and other attractions then this is the place to go! It is the perfect first stop for planning your visit to the Root Cellar Capital of the World and the wider Bonavista Peninsula.

The Ryan's Building

Tourist Information 

Experience the thrill of spotting majestic whales in their natural habitat with our eco-friendly whale watching excursions.

Whale Watching Tours

Capture stunning landscapes and wildlife on guided photography walks led by professional photographers.

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Elliston Photography Walks

Learn the age-old fishing techniques from local fishermen and try your hand at this iconic Newfoundland tradition.

Traditional Fishing Experience

The root cellars of Elliston are a historic and distinctive feature of the community. Built into the ground using stone, they provided a practical, natural method of food preservation for generations before the widespread use of electricity.These underground chambers maintain a cool, stable temperature year round, which was and still is ideal for storing the harvest from family gardens. Potatoes, carrots, turnips, preserves and salted goods were stored here safely through the winter, forming a crucial part of the local food supply.Elliston has one of the highest concentrations of root cellars in the world and preserves this unique aspect of Newfoundland's subsistence heritage. Visitors are welcome to view them and learn about this everyday innovation that supported coastal life.

Elliston Point is home to one of North America's most accessible Atlantic puffin colonies. Each spring and summer, these amazing birds return to the cliffs and small islands to breed, offering visitors an exceptional opportunity for close encounters.Often called "sea parrots" for their brightly coloured beaks and ornate plumage, puffins are a delight to see. The viewing site at Elliston Point allows you to watch their busy comings and goings from a safe, respectful distance on solid ground ... no boat required.It's a remarkable chance to witness the lively seabird colony on the North Atlantic coast and see one of the world's most beloved seabirds going about its daily life.

Puffins

Discover the "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rootsrantsandroars.ca/">Roots, Rants &amp; Roars</a>" festival, where the authentic flavours of Newfoundland meet the stunning backdrop of our coast. This annual event is a true celebration of our place and a gathering that connects the food from our home with the stories and people behind it.For a few vibrant days in the Fall our community springs back to life. You'll find chefs and harvesters sharing their craft, turning local ingredients into unforgettable meals that are enjoyed in the outdoors. The "Roars" of the ocean provide the soundtrack, the "Roots" of tradition inspire each dish and the "Rants" tell the stories that create a warm and communal atmosphere.It’s a genuine taste of coastal life: nourishing, welcoming and deeply connected to the natural world around us. We invite you to join the table, share in the spirit and experience a festival that feeds both the body and the soul.

Taste of the Wild

Explore Our Rich Heritage

Discover stunning artwork from Elliston’s talented local artists showcasing the culture and beauty of Newfoundland.

Local Art Exhibitions

Join our expert guides for scenic hikes along Elliston’s breathtaking coastline, perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

Learn photography skills and capture the unique landscapes and wildlife of Elliston with our hands-on workshops.

Elliston Photography Workshops

Located on the Main Road in Elliston, "Nanny's Root Cellar Kitchen" provides a pleasant setting for a traditional meal. The restaurant operates in a historic Orange Hall building, which adds a touch of local character to the dining experience.The focus here is on classic Newfoundland dishes. The menu features staples like 'fish 'n' brewis' and 'cod tongues', with the traditional 'jiggs dinner' available on Sundays. The kitchen accommodates various needs, with a noted gluten-friendly approach and the use of local ingredients.Open seasonally from June to September, it's a wonderful dining option in the area. The restaurant is equipped to handle groups and bus tours, and features waiter service and free parking. Occasional live music adds to the ambiance.Nanny's Root Cellar Kitchen is a solid choice for a comforting and traditional meal during your Elliston adventure!

Nanny's Root Cellar Kitchen

Discover a unique connection to Newfoundland's history at the "Elliston Adventure Craft Store" located within the historic James Ryan building. This beautifully preserved 19th-century building is now a registered heritage structure which offers visitors a glimpse into the community's past connection to a thriving fishery. As you walk beneath the building's original wooden beams, you can find a collection of local handicrafts and artwork. It's a place where the past meets the present, providing a chance to find a special handcrafted keepsake or gift. Some of the treasures found here are crafted by descendants of the very community that sustained this historic business. The Elliston Adventure Craft Store is a quiet nod to the heritage of Elliston and its role in sustaining the economy of the area.

Elliston Adventure Craft Store

Welcome to "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://homefromthesea.ca/">Home From the Sea</a>" cultural centre located in the centre of Elliston. This unique attraction offers visitors an interpretive journey into the region's sealing heritage through engaging exhibits and local art. The centre is combined with a sobering coastal memorial to those who perished on the ice.Your visit begins inside the building, where artifacts and multimedia displays tell the real life stories of those who worked in the sealing industry. The centre also features a gallery which showcases the works of Newfoundland and Labrador artists. On leaving the building, a short walk along an interpretive path leads to the monument at Porter's Point which commemorates the sealing disaster of 1914 ... "You Don't Know Cold".Home From the Sea provides visitors with a meaningful connection to an important part of local history and culture. We invite you to explore these stories and reflect on the struggle and resilience of Newfoundland's outport communities.

Home From The Sea

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Immerse yourself in Elliston's rich cultural history through curated tours highlighting local stories and landmarks.

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Elliston Cultural Heritage Tours

Experience the majestic whales of Newfoundland up close with guided boat tours departing from Elliston's harbor.

Elliston Whale Watching Tours

Participate in hands-on workshops with Elliston’s local artisans crafting traditional Newfoundland crafts.

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Local Artisan Workshops

Elliston’s hillside cellars are masterpieces of design. Built directly into the glacial slopes of the surrounding landscape, they make brilliant use of the earth’s stable temperature. The majority of cellars in Elliston were built with an east-facing door. This key design feature shielded the entrance from the region's prevailing cold western winds and associated frost. Cellars were constructed from local stone, timber and a thick insulating layer of sod. Each structure is a seamless extension of the landscape, a living example of the bond between people and place at the heart of the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark.

Root Cellar Design

The cellar’s hillside placement creates a perfect climate for preservation. The surrounding earth maintains a consistent temperature of 2°C to 7°C and humidity near 95% throughout the year. These conditions are ideal for preventing the rot and dehydration of food. This passive refrigeration system required no power, using geology to keep food from freezing in winter and cool in summer. The strategically positioned porch and double doorway provided a buffer that helped maintain a reliable, zero energy cold storage system.

Root Cellar Science

Root cellars safeguarded the staples of Newfoundland subsistence. They stored potatoes, turnips, carrots and beets through winter, along with preserves such as salt fish and salt meat. In summer, they kept dairy, bread, and fresh meat from spoiling. More than food storage, they served as community spaces: keepers of homemade wine and possibly spruce beer as well as settings for children’s games and even subjects of folklore. They weren’t just buildings, they were lifelines woven into daily ritual and survival.