Confederation Trail / Morell Distance: 411 km
The Island’s easternmost region attracts visitors who appreciate natural spaces and outdoor activities. Development in this area is characterized by parks and trails, supported by country inns and fine dining.
A recommended first stop would be Orwell Corner Historic Village where a rural crossroads community invites visitors to step back into the 1800s. Be sure to leave time for a visit to the Macphail Homestead right next door.
Brudenell River Provincial Park
Lighthouse lovers will delight in the six lighthouses that are open to the public in summer. Point Prim Lighthouse - the Island’s oldest lighthouse, Wood Islands Lighthouse - located just beyond the ferry terminal, Cape Bear Lighthouse - said to be the first Canadian land station to receive the distress signals from the Titanic, Souris Historic Lighthouse, East Point Lighthouse and Panmure Island Lighthouse - PEI’s oldest wooden lighthouse.
Try a quick round of golf at Belfast Highland Greens or Eagles View near Murray River.
Be sure to visit Kings Playhouse where visitors can learn about the region’s once thriving shipbuilding and railway industries as well as dine, shop, or just sit back and enjoy the view of the lovely Georgetown Harbour. Stay on into the evening, for there is often an excellent concert scheduled at the Kings Playhouse just down the street.
The Rodd Brudenell River Resort proves to be a good halfway point for those touring the Points East Coastal Drive, but for golfers this site is an absolute must-stop. Two top-of-the-line 18-hole courses are the main features of a resort complex that includes both hotel and executive-style cottages, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, horseback riding, spa services and even lawn bowling!
A new marina in Souris has docking facilities as well as washrooms and showers and a new building will house the terminal for the ferry service to les Îles-de-la- Madeleine.
Popular supervised beaches in the eastern PEI region include Red Point, Basin Head, Greenwich and Panmure Island, to name a few. Camping is available at Red Point, and Campbells Cove and many other locations along the Coastal Drive.
Sport fishers will be interested to know that some of the world’s biggest fish (as in over 1000 pounds!), the Bluefin Tuna, have been caught off the shores of North Lake, known as the “Tuna Capital of the World.”
Wind up your visit to Points East Coastal Drive in the community of Mount Stewart. The province’s Confederation Trail heads off in no fewer than three directions from here and the Hillsborough River Eco-Centre which is the hub of the Confederation Trail and houses a Discovery Museum featuring natural and cultural history of PEI's Canadian Heritage River, The Hillsborough.
Points East Coastal Drive Website