While not officially on the peninsula, the larger community of Stephenville is often associated with the peninsula as part of the Port au Port area.
Visitors can drive Routes 460 and 490 to take what is called ''The French Ancestors Route'', touring from the Trans-Canada Highway through Stephenville and on to the peninsula itself.
Part of the eroded Appalachian Mountain chain, the peninsula is home to quite a variety of scenic coastline (around 130 km) and ethnic diversity collected in around twenty small, but self-sufficient, communities based around fishing, a small forest industry, and small-scale farming. A small selection of these areas and their communities:
Originally called Port of Rest by 16th Century Basque fishermen, Port au Port was a site of French and Basque seasonal fisheries for hundreds of years. Eventually, some of the fisherfolk began to stake out homesteads on the peninsula and in the area. This entire area of settlement became known as the "French Shore", with Port au Port as one of the heavily settled areas.
With its Roman Catholic traditions, Francophone culture, and excellent music and theatre festivals, the Port au Port region has made a name for itself in presenting a full cultural experience as well as spectacular views of cliffs, rocky beaches, whales and birds.
Unlike Newfoundland English, Newfoundland French is nearly extinct. Newfoundland French is distinct from other Canadian French dialects including Quebec French and Acadian French, and is generally found in the Port au Port Peninsula. The language was deliberately discouraged by the government in the 20th century, so visitors can expect most people they encounter to speak English. However, if you speak French, here's your chance to engage with a fascinating dialect. You will find Francophone Associations in the communities of De Grau (Les Terre-Neuviens Francais 709-644-2050), La Grand'Terre/Mainland (Heritage de l'Ile Rouge 709-642-5254 & Association regionale de la cote ouest 709-642-5254), and L'Anse-a-Canards/Black Duck Brook (Chez les Francais 709-642-5498).
Stephenville and Stephenville Crossing are the points of entry on Routes 490 and 460, called ''The French Ancestors Route'', when driving from the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). From the Trans-Canada, it is about 40 km to Stephenville, and then about 6 more km to the isthmus and Port au Port.
There is no other option than to drive or take a chartered bus. Keep in mind that roads in Newfoundland & Labrador are among the best in Canada, so you will not frequently need to watch out for potholes and heaved pavement.