Highlights Close to Cape Town
West Coast
Heading out of Cape Town on the R27 highway is the West Coast Region with a number of spots perfect for a day trip or over night stay.
Langebaan & West Coast Nature Reserve
The protected lagoon of Langebaan is a popular holiday destination for Cape Townians. There are lovely beaches and the sheltered waters are an ideal spot for a variety of water sports including water skiing, kayaking, wind surfing and kite surfing. There are a number of restaurants on the waters edge, a perfect spot for a meal or drinks.
The nearby holiday resort of Club Mykynos has a casino and a number of restaurants over looking a mariner from where you can take a sunset boat trip around the lagoon. The famous Standloper Restaurant offers a fish buffet with crayfish and mussels al fresco on the beach.
The West Coast National Park surrounds parts of the Langebaan Lagoon including some of the lagoon itself and the surrounding land. It is home to thousands of sea birds that make the lagoon shores and marshes their home.
During flowers season which occurs any time between August and September, areas of the park become blanketed with flowers of different colours. Postberg, a privately owned area of land lying within the park opens its doors to the public during August and September It is home to a variety of game including zebra, wildebeest and various antelope species and is the perfect spot to come see the flowers on display.
There are a number of viewing points which offer stunning views of the lagoon, the Atlantic Ocean and on a clear day Table Mountain. There are two entrances to the park; the first directly from R27, the other heading out of Langebaan town. Entrance fees are R15 – R30 per person, depending on season. Tel (022) 722 2144.
Paternoster
A bit further up the coast is the picturesque fishing village of Paternoster where you can take a stroll along the long sandy beach or visit the fish stalls and restaurants located on the waters edge . The nearby Cape Columbine Nature Reserve offers some more spectacular scenery and is a great spot to visit during flower season.
West Coast Fossil Park
Slightly inland from Langebaan is The West Coast Fossil Park. It is home to a fascinating range of fossils depicting animal life that occurred in the region 5 million years ago. There are tours once a day during the week at 11h30. The park opens daily at 10h00, closing at 16h00 on weekday and 13h00 at weekends. Entrance fee is R15 for adults, R10 for children. There are signs to the park on the R27. Tel (022) 766 1606.
East Coast
Gordon's Bay
At the eastern end of False Bay lies the seaside town of Gordan’s Bay which can be reached by taking the N2 high way out of Cape Town. It is a popular angling and boating spot and has a great beach for swimming – it is well protected from the wind and the water is some what warmer than most of Cape Town’s beaches. The beach front is lined with restaurants and bars and if you head to the old harbour boat or deep sea fishing trips into False Bay can be booked.
Carrying on the N2 past Gordan’s Bay will take you up Sir Lowry’s Pass. This pass over the Hottentots Holland Mountains was opened in 1838 and offers stunning views of False Bay.
Alternatively, head through Gordan’s Bay past the harbour onto the R44. Although not as well know as Chapman’ Peak Drive, this coastal road comes in a close second for breath taking scenery, with mountains looming on one side and cliffs plunging into the sea on the other. Also a great spot to view whales in season.
The Steenbras River bridge is particularly dramatic and the parking lot here is the starting point for a hike up the river gorge. Known to Cape Townians as ‘Crystal Pools’, a 40 minute walk will take you to a series of beautiful rock pool, a great spot for a picnic and swim. Beware of the baboons however as they have become experts at stealing any food that is lying around and may become quite aggressive. If you wish to enter the gorge you’ll need to obtain a permit from Department of Parks and Forests at Cape Town City Council, Tel (021) 400 3269.
Koggelbaai
A bit further along the R44, is KoggelBaai, a truly beautiful beach, great for swimming and surfing. Carrying on one will pass the seaside towns of Rooiels, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and Arniston until eventually reaching Hermanus. All of these have coffee shops and restaurants should you wish to stop for a drink or bite to eat.
Hermanus
Hermanus is one of the Western Cape’s premier seaside holiday resorts. As well as being one of the best land based whale watching spots, it has nice beaches, a lagoon, stunning scenery and loads of shops and restaurants to keep you busy. Well worth a visit for a day or overnight stay.
Inland
The N1 highway, heading out of Cape Town is your gateway to mountain, valley and wine country. The Cape Fold Mountains provide spectacular scenery with the valleys in between converted to fruit orchards and vineyards.
Cape Winelands
Three of best wine routes of Franschoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch are described in detail in the ‘Must Do’ section and are all well worth a visit not only for the wine estates but quaintness and great settings in the valleys.
Wellington
Wellington is a fruit growing area and also has one of the longest wine routes in the Western Cape. Heading out through Wellington will take you over the Bainskloof Pass. This is definitely one of the most magnificent passes in South Africa, and numerous streams, rock pools and hiking trails make it an ideal spot to head for a day out. There is also a camp and picnic site along the pass. For hiking and camping permits contact Nature Conservation on (021) 483 3949.
Route 62
Heading further along the N1 you will pass through the Huguenot tunnel which provides an alternative route to the Du Toitskloof Pass going over the mountains. Worcester is another wine growing region and is the start of the Route 62. This route passes through a number of towns including Robertson, Montagu, McGregor, Ceres and eventually to Outdshoorn in the Karoo.
Each town along the route has something to offer whether it be wine estates, hot springs, hiking trails or great scenery. The Ceres valley is a big fruit growing region, and a favourite is to go cherry picking at Klondyke Cherry Farm between November and January. A small fee is charged and you can pick and eat to your heart’s content. Tel (023) 312 1521.
During winter the Cape Mountains are occasionally blanketed in snow and Ceres is the best spot to reach it.