The town got its start at the turn of the last century, from five coves in the very bottom of Northwest Arm, Trinity Bay. As the major terminus for the Bonavista Peninsula and all rail traffic west, Clarenville quickly became the region's primary centre. Today, Clarenville is a multi-faceted community with an exhaustive range of things to do and see, a provincial centre for recreation and information technology, and the ideal place to start exploring the historical Discovery Trail. Located in the beautiful Shoal Harbour River Valley, Clarenville is subject to prevailing southwest winds, bringing drier weather and considerably more sunshine and temperate conditions than the rest of the island. The town is home to 4,500 people, and another 32,000 depend on Clarenville for services.
Random Island fits into Trinity Bay like a piece of a puzzle.
At around forty km in length and fifteen km in width at its widest end, Random Island is the largest island in Newfoundland. Approximately 1200 people live in the thirteen communities on Random Island. Hillview used to be known as Northern Bight. The road winds through until it reaches the fishing village of Hatchet Cove, the site of a public 9-hole golf course. Moving east toward the headland, the traveller also moves back in history, to the harbour of St. Jones Within.