Vintage Treasures and Iceberg Views: Antiquing in Newfoundland

There’s nothing quite like treasure hunting at the edge of the world.

This week, our RV rolled off the ferry into Newfoundland—a place where the wind carries stories, the houses are candy-colored, and vintage finds feel as rare as the icebergs drifting by.

We’re antiquing in Newfoundland as we make our way through Iceberg Alley, soaking in the scenery and hunting for charm in every coastal corner. Whether you’re dreaming of visiting or just love vintage with a side of salt air, I think you’ll fall in love with what we’ve found here.

Explore the charm of Newfoundland’s coastal vintage shops and scenic Iceberg Alley. Antique with me on our road trip across Canada’s rugged eastern edge.

Welcome to Newfoundland! A Coastal Start to Our Road Trip

Taking the Pet-Friendly Ferry from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland

After four days of antiquing and driving through Nova Scotia, we boarded the Marine Atlantic ferry from North Sydney to Newfoundland—and what a ride it’s been! If you’ve ever considered making this crossing, let me tell you: it’s clean, calm, and wonderfully pet-friendly.

We opted for the shorter ferry route to Newfoundland’s west coast, a 7–8 hour sail that leaves from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and brings you right into Port aux Basques. There’s another ferry that takes you to the east coast, but at 16–18 hours long, this felt like the perfect choice for us (and for Ella!).

The Marine Atlantic ferry was spotless—from the decks to the cabins to the cozy dining areas. The staff? Incredibly friendly and helpful, especially when you’re navigating with a pup in tow. We reserved one of their pet-friendly cabins, which was an absolute game-changer. Ella could relax with us in comfort rather than staying alone in the RV for the duration.

There are plenty of amenities on board: restaurants, bars, quiet lounges, and so much open seating that it never feels crowded. While you don’t have access to your RV or vehicle during the journey, the onboard experience makes the time fly.

We departed around 11:45 AM and will arrive in Newfoundland between 7 and 8 PM—just in time for a scenic evening drive along the coast. And yes, Ella is already curled up in her cabin, soaking in the sea air like a seasoned traveler. *Bonus, calm seas had us arriving two hours ahead of time into Port Aux Basques.

If you’re planning a vintage shopping road trip to Newfoundland, this ferry route is a breeze—and a beautiful way to kick off your adventure on the island.

Following Along on the Road Trip?

If you missed the first legs of our journey, check out where we’ve been so far! From the charming vintage shops of Nova Scotia to the vintage wishlist you helped me create before we even hit the road—these posts are packed with thrifting tips, stories, and a few treasures I couldn’t leave behind.

Our RV Route to Newfoundland’s Iceberg Alley (Outbound Journey)

Take a peek at our RV travel route from southern Maine to the heart of Iceberg Alley in Newfoundland—the first leg of our round-trip adventure. This map shows our scenic drive north, including the ferry crossing and all the stops leading up to this iconic stretch of coastline. We’ll be adding the return journey soon, so stay tuned!

Antiquing in Newfoundland: What I Found and Where I Shopped

Antiquing and Exploring Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

Vintage shopping in Rocky Harbour and Norris point, Gros Morne

We stayed at the Norris Point KOA Holiday Campground, perfectly nestled between the coastal villages of Rocky Harbour and Norris Point—each just a five-minute drive away. With Gros Morne National Park as our backyard and water views at every turn, we explored charming local shops filled with handmade wool mittens, cozy socks, driftwood house art, and even colorful knit hats—each with a story and the name of the creator who crafted each.

While I’m still on the hunt for the perfect fisherman’s sweater, the red-and-white puffin mittens, and locally made wool pieces have definitely stolen my heart.

Shop similar Newfoundland socks, mittens, and hats

Vintage Charm and Iceberg Views in St. Anthony’s

After a breathtaking five-hour drive up Newfoundland’s rugged coast—where we counted at least fifteen icebergs bobbing in the icy Atlantic—we arrived in the northern town of St. Anthony’s, nestled deep in the heart of Iceberg Alley. We ducked into an early lobster dinner at the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cafe, where a towering iceberg floated just beyond the window, almost close enough to touch. On the windowsill sat a pair of weathered binoculars—just like my father’s that sit on our living room windowsill at our home in Maine. It gave me all the feels of home.

But it was the little vintage details that really charmed me. A cheerful set of red and white lighthouse salt and pepper shakers sat on the table, echoing the coastal cottages and proud lighthouses we’d admired along the way. I packed a set to take home with me, already imagining them on our summer lobster tablescapes, adding a dash of salt and a sprinkle of memory.

Here at the top of Newfoundland, between the icebergs, the lighthouses, and the vintage keepsakes, I felt completely at home.

Coastal Tablescape Inspiration from Maine to Newfoundland

If you loved this lighthouse-inspired lobster dinner in Iceberg Alley, explore more vintage coastal charm with our authentic Maine lobster tablescapes, thrifted summer table settings, and sea-inspired centerpiece ideas for your own summer gatherings.

Styling with East Coast Vintage Charm

Vintage Coastal Styling Ideas You Can Try at Home

Channel the slow-made charm of Newfoundland into your home with a few vintage coastal decorating ideas. Inspired by handmade treasures and the raw beauty of the Atlantic coast, these ideas blend texture, tone, and a touch of whimsy to bring East Coast charm into your space.

Shop colorful Polywood Adirondack Chairs

Lobster Cove Lighthouse Vintage Decor Inspiration

Step inside the historic Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse in Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland, and you’ll be instantly transported to a time when seafarers braved the Atlantic with nothing but grit, lanterns, and sea charts. With its classic red and white exterior perched high above the crashing waves, the lighthouse offers not just breathtaking views, but also vintage coastal styling ideas that feel both timeless and homey.

Inside, you’ll find inspiration at every turn—from a charming blue lantern on a white windowsill looking out to sea, to an antique desk topped with a model sailboat and weathered sea journals. The vintage-style kitchen, complete with floral wallpaper and an old-fashioned stove, tells stories of a life lived simply. And don’t miss the mariner’s coat and boots in the hallway, paired with a rustic black lantern—details that echo the power of adding authentic, collected charm to your own home. If you’re drawn to coastal blues, warm whites, and weathered woods, this is your dream vintage vignette.

Inspired by Newfoundland’s Handmade Coastal Charm

I’ve been so taken by the natural beauty and craftsmanship along Newfoundland’s coast—from knitted puffin mittens to driftwood-strewn beaches. These handmade and nature-found treasures offer a new kind of inspiration for coastal decor, one rooted in texture, storytelling, and tradition.

Here are a few vintage coastal decorating ideas you can try at home that echo the feel of the rustic East Coast shores:

Travel Diary: Icebergs, Villages, and the Unexpected

Some places just hit differently—and Newfoundland is one of them.

From the moment we spotted our first iceberg floating just offshore, it felt like we’d won the scenic lottery. These floating giants are breathtaking—majestic, silent, and completely surreal. And just when we thought the day couldn’t get better, we rounded a bend and found ourselves face-to-antler with a small herd of white caribou. Not moose. Not reindeer. Something beautifully in-between.

Foggy mornings here have their own kind of magic. They wrap the brightly colored villages—each one dotted with red, blue, or yellow homes and crisp white sheets dancing on clotheslines—in a soft, ethereal hush. The kind that makes you slow down, breathe in deep, and forget what day it is.

And while antiquing and roadside treasures are part of the fun, it’s the quiet personal moments that have stayed with me: Ella curling up in the RV after a long day of exploring, the coziness of handmade wool socks from a coastal shop, and the lighthouses—each one a postcard waiting to happen.

What makes Newfoundland so special? It’s the way time slows down. It’s the deeply rooted traditions, the fierce independence, the friendliest people you’ll ever meet—and a landscape that knows how to take your breath away.

And just when I thought the magic had settled, we took to the ocean and visited icebergs up close. I can’t wait to share those stunning photos and stories with you in next week’s post—they’re some of my favorites of the trip.

Until then, here’s a little preview of what’s coming, and those are floatation device uniforms with three layers of clothing underneath we are wearing, just in case you were wondering…

Keep Following the Vintage Trail…

Love the charm of Iceberg Alley and vintage finds from the coast of Newfoundland? Don’t miss the next leg of our road trip! Subscribe to the blog or follow along on Instagram as we continue antiquing, exploring, and uncovering coastal treasures all the way back down the island. There’s still so much more vintage inspiration to come.

And Ella’s still calling shot gun…

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