Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove

Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove (47°27′56″N 52°42′41″W / 47.46556°N 52.71139°W / 47.46556; -52.71139 NST) is a town of approximately 950 people located on the eastern shore of the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is nestled deep in the heart of Motion Bay, just south (approximately 15 minutes away) of St. John's. The present town is approximately 200 years old, though the site has been continuously occupied since at least 1598, predating the arrival of the Mayflower and making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. During King William's War, the village was raided by Canadiens in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign.

It is the site of the first hydroelectric generating station (Petty Harbour Generating Station) in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Traditionally, Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove was a thriving fishing village. However, in 1992 the Canadian government declared a moratorium on cod fishing in Newfoundland, which greatly hurt rural communities, including Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove.

Since the moratorium, Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove has become more reliant on the tourism industry. Many tourists visit Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove for its beautiful scenery, icebergs, whales and hiking trails.

It has also become a popular location for television series and films. Some features have included "Hatching, Matching and Dispatching" ; Orca (film), A Whale for the Killing; Rare Birds and John and the Mrs. Parts of The Terry Fox Story were also filmed in Petty Harbour.

Petty Harbour is home to Alan Doyle, lead singer of Great Big Sea.

The Town of Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove was also the Tidy Towns population category winner for 2007. This award is based on natural beauty, community involvement, environmental awareness and Heritage preservation.