Author: Adélle Horler Struik Publishers Cape Town, 2004 ISBN: 1868729435 Soft cover, 10x19 cm, 240 pages, throughout colour illustrated and maps The Western Cape has lots of interesting things to do. The question is, where do you start? To cut through the bewildering array of options facing visitors, we gathered the advice of experienced locals and put together 12 specific routes, each around a theme. We believe these are the things you mustn’t miss on a visit to the Cape and also to remind residents that there are plenty of tempting reasons to be a tourist on our own doorstep. - Simple, fun route selections, popular for all ages. - Clear fool-proof maps, with detailed written directions. - No sifting through brochures - we have chosen the best. - Informal, easy-to-read, useful and comprehensive. Adélle Horler is a travel writer and expedition guide who is lucky enough to live in a region that has so many stories to tell. Former managing editor of lifestyle guides Drive Out, Eat Out, Eat In and Sleep Over, Adélle freelances for various magazines and happily indulges her desire to head off whenever something new and exciting appears on the horizon. Stanford to Elim - 1 hr 20min At four-way stop, continue along R43 through Gansbaai. Ignore first turn to Elim, Baardskeerdersbos. At 54km, take left on gravel to Elim, Bredasdorp, Struisbaai, and L'Agulhas. Fork left to Elim at 60km. At T-junction (64km), take left to Elim, Wolvengat. Follow curve of the road to the right. Enter Elim at 77km; park at the church. The road turns back towards the sea after Stanford, and there are excellent whale-watching opportunities all along Die Kelders to Gansbaai and Danger Point, the rocky promontory infamous for wrecking HMS Birkenhead in February 1852, with the loss of 445 lives. On board were British soldiers whose stoic bravery in standing on deck as the ship foundered, while civilians climbed aboard the few lifeboats, has gone down in maritime history as the Birkenhead Drill - women and children first. The turn-off to Danger Point, about one kilometre beyond Gansbaai, takes you to a lighthouse and a blowhole that, in really rough seas, can shoot a plume of water up to 10 metres high. Birkenhead Rock can be seen at low tide. The need for bravery has remained in Gansbaai, especially if you're up for climbing into a metal cage to dive with the sharks! Gansbaai is regarded as one of the best shark-diving sites in the world, so do give it a go. Elim is a quaint Moravian Mission station. The church owns the entire village and only members may live there. Established in 1824, Elim is a national monument and it's really as if time has stood still. But the church clock hasn't. It's the oldest working clock in South Africa (built in Germany in 1764) and it's unusual in that it has faces on both ends of the church - a solid axle runs the length of the building, connecting the two gables. Opposite the church is South Africa's only monument celebrating the emancipation of slaves. It's seriously low-key, but definitely unique. Although slavery was abolished in the Cape in 1834, the monument is dated 1838 as slaves were forced to work a further four years to 'buy' their freedom. Quite a few Elim locals can trace their ancestry back to the original German missionaries, some of whom even sold themselves into slavery to spread the word! Ask the tourism bureau about guided tours, accommodation and lunch bookings. Elim to L'Agulhas - 50 min Just past the church, take right to Bredasdorp, Struisbaai, L'Agulhas. At 34km, T-junction right to R319 Struisbaai, L'Agulhas on tar. Keep straight through Struisbaai to L'Agulhas lighthouse at 46km. The gravel road leaving Elim goes through beautiful farmlands stretching to the dusty purple Bredasdorp mountains in the distance. Slow down to look at some original whitewashed fishermen's houses on either side as you enter Struisbaai. They're all national monuments and are generally two-roomed, with thick lime-washed walls and a thatched roof, often with a fat chimney and oven at one end. These cottages are known as Hotagterklip ('Left Behind the Stone'), after a rocky outcrop that caused a sharp detour on the origino wagon route. Struisbaai also boasts a stunning beach that sweeps around the boy. What L'Agulhas may lack in architectural charm, it makes up for in geographic fame - this is the southernmost point of the African continent, and the waves pounding these rugged rocks mark the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans - just don't tell that to all the Cape Town-based operations with 'Two Oceans' in their names. The precise point is marked by a plaque about one kilometre past the lighthouse. Walk the last 150 metres to the nondescript rock that's one of the most photographed in the world. It's worth climbing the lighthouse tower not only for the view, but to glimpse the surprisingly tiny light bulb that nevertheless pumps out the light equivalent of seven and a half million candles. Make time for the museum, which sheds light on the history of lighthouses around the country, not only this one. After your climb up the tower, rest up in the restaurant. There are also a couple of pubs and restaurants in L'Agulhas itself. L'Agulhas to Arniston/Waenhuiskrans - 55min Return through L'Agulhas and Struisbaai. At 23km, turn right on gravel to Arniston/Waenhuiskrans, De Mond, Prinskraal. At Prinskraal (30km), T-junction left then immediately right to Arniston. At 37km, T-junction to the right on tar R316 Arniston. At 43km, turn left at stop street to Arniston Hotel. The gravel road does a left-right dogleg through a farmyard at Prinskraal. Look out for ostriches in a paddock a little further on. www.iafrica.com (Richard Holmes): "For self-drive visitors it is an invaluable guide (and very reasonably priced), but even the hardened local road-tripper will find inspiration and secret places in The Cape Route Finder. A quick flip through the sturdy hard-cover book will give you plenty of reasons to jump behind the wheel and be a tourist in your own ‘backyard'." Africa Geographic (David Rogers): "You can be assured that The Cape Route Finder will help you to make the most of your stay." Business Day (Lesley Stones): "It is enough to make you yearn to become a professional tourist." Wegbreek: "Dié bondige boekie is meer as net 'n roetebeplanner - dis 'n toergids." The Citizen Vibe: "The Cape Route Finder is informal, easy-to-read, useful and comprehensive." Beeld Plus: "Dit is informeel, maklik om te lees, nuttig en omvattend." The Star: "If you are heading for the Cape, don't go without a copy." 3rd i Gallery 106, 110,233 Abseil Africa 32, 201-203, 215 abseiling 20, 201-203, 213, ?15 Africa Cafe 21,33 African Art 94, 96 African Image 88, 96, 107, 110 Africa Nova 104 African Queen River Cruises 187, 192 Air Team 204,215 Algeria 163-164, 171 Altira Spa at Arabella 192,226, 230,231 Ancient Days Antiques 94, 97 AnimalZone 66, 67,123 Annandale 40-41, 53 Anura Wine & Cheese 58, 60, 60-6], 67 Arabella Country Estate 184, 192, 225, 230,231 Arniston 190-191, 193 Arniston Hotel 193 Arniston Seaside Cottages 193 Artscape Theatre 30, 32 Association for Visual Arts 107, 110 Atkinson's Antiques 90, 96 Auberge Burgundy 193 Bain's Kloof 151,152,162 Bakoven 29 Baxter Theatre 30 Beach Camp 144, 146 Beach House on Sandown Bay 231 Beacon Isle Hotel 209 Belle Ombre Antiques & African Art 94,96 Bell-Roberts Art Gallery 107 Belmont Hotel 171 Bertha's Restaurant 33 Betty's Bay 180, 192 Bientang's Cave 182, 192 Bijoux 50 Bird Island Nature Reserve 168, 170 Birdmen215 Birds of Paradise 79,11, 81 Birkenhead Brewery 192 Birkenhead House 193 Blinkberg Pass 162 Bloubergstrand 133-134,144 Bloukrans Bridge 210-211,212 BloukransPass211,213 Blueberry Hill 53 Blue Rock Cable Waterski 122, 124,230 Boggomsbaai Golf Course 227, 230 Bohemian Lifestyle 107, 110 Bo-Kaap 18 Bon Cap Organic Wines 72, 76, 8) Bonnievale 76 Boschendal 36, 52, 53 Bosduifklipl68,170 Botlierskop Game Farm 227, 230 Bouchard Finlayson Vineyards and Cellars 183,192 Boulders Beach 25, 26, 32, 122, 179 Bovlei 64, 67 Boyes Drive 24 Branewynsdraai restaurant 76 Brass Bell restaurant 94 Bread & Wine restaurant 50 Bread and Butter 109 Bredasdorp 191 Breede River Winelands Tourism 81 Breede Valley Wines 76 Bristol Antiques 90, 96 Britannia Rock 155-156 Bruce Tait Kitch and Collectables S8-89, 90,96,110 Buffelsfontein Game Nature Reserve 138 Buitenverwachting 23, 33 bungee jumping 194-195, 205-206, 210-211 Burgundy Market Square 181, 184,192 Burr&Muir88 Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve 164-165,171 Butterfly World 66, 67,123 cableway, see Table Mountain Cableway Cabriere Estate 36, 48-49, 53 CafeBlouberg 134,146 Cafe Mozart 88, 97 Calabash Bush Pub 170 Caledon 191 Camel Rock Restaurant 27, 33 Camps Bay 17,20,29 Canal Walk Shopping Centre 119, 120,124 canoeing 213 Cape Agulhas lighthouse and museum 189,193 Cape Bay Wines 183, 192 Cape Care Route 17,32 Cape Chamonix 36, 49-50, 53 Cape Columbine lighthouse 130, 146 Cape Columbine Nature Reserve 141, 144, 146, 147 Cape Comedy Collective 30, 33 Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve 26-27, 28-29, 32 Cape Hangklip 180 Cape Olive Trust 66, 67 Cape Point 26-27, 28-29, 179 Cape Point Ostrich Farm 27, 32, 123,125 Cape Quarter 104, 110 Cape St Blaize Cave 227 Cape Sports Centre 139, 146 Cape to Cuba 94, 96 Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra 30,33 Cape Town Tourism 32 Casino Mykonos 139, 146 Castle of Good Hope 18 Cavendish Square Shopping Centre 108-109, 110 Cederberg Oasis Backpackers 171 Cederberg Private Cellar 163, 170 Cederberg Wilderness Area 157 Ceres Tourism 170 Chamonix see Cape Chamonix Chapman's Peak Drive 28-29, 179 Children's Garden at Spier 116, 124 China Town 94, 97 Choco-deli 63, 67 Church Street 86, 107, 110 Church Street Antique Market 82,88, 96,102 City Hall 17-18 City Rock 114, 120-121, 121, 124, 203,215 Clanwilliam 164 Clanwilliam Tourism 164, 170 Clarence Drive 179 Clarke's Bookshop 90, 96 Clifton Fourth Beach 17,29,30 Clovelly Golf Course 224,230 Cobbs at the Cape restaurant 27, 33 Cogmanskloof 76 Company's Garden 16 Constantia Uitsig 23, 33 Constantia Wine Route 14,23,33 Cotage Fromage 58, 62-63, 67 Cries of London 94, 96 Cyberworld 125 Dalebrook 123 Dalewood Fromage 63, 65, 67 Darling 142 Darling Tourism Bureau 147 Dassieshoek Nature Reserve 76 Daytrippers205,215 De Hoop Nature Reserve 186, 191 Delvera Farm 65 DeWaterkant 17 DeWetshof Estate 72,75, 76-77, 81 De Wet's Huis Photo Museum 185 DieKelders 188 DieOuPastorie231 Die Pomphuis Gallery 142, 146 DieStrandloperl30, 139, 146 Die Winkel op Paternoster 141, 146 Dolphin Bay Hotel 231 Dolphin's Creek golf course 227 Cornier 41-42, 53 Downhill Adventures 205, 215 Drakenstein Lion Farm 66, 67, 123 Drakenstein Olives 66, 67 Dwarsrivier 161, 162, 163, 171 Dyer Island Cruises 190, 193 East of Eden 104 Elands Bay 168 Elim 188, 193 Elim Guesthouse 193 Elim Mill Tearoom 193 Elim Tourism 193 Erinvale Golf Estate 224,230 Erinvale Hotel 231 Eversdal Cellars 65 Evita se Perron 130, 142-143,146 Face Adrenalin 210-211,215 Fairview 61-62, 67 Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate 228,230,231 Farmyard Farmstall 134 Featherbed Nature Reserve 213 Fernkloof Nature Reserve 185-186,192 Firlands Farmworld 123, 125 Fish Hoek beach 122-123 Forest Hill Cheesery 60 Foxenburg Estate 65, 67 FraaiUitzichtl79872,78,81 Franschhoek area 46-52 Franschhoek Wine Valley & Tourism Association 53 Gansbaai 188, 190, 193,208 Gansbaai Tourism 193 Gardener's Cottage 108 Garden Route Tourism 215, 231 George 228 George Golf Course 228,230 George Tourism 231 Glen Carlou 60, 67 Global Atmosphere Watch Station 28 Gordon's Bay 179,180 Gordon's Rocks 155 Gouritz Bridge 205-206 Graciously Ancient 94, 96 Graham Beck Wines 72, 74-75, 81 Grand Parade 17 GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World 118-119, 124 GrandWest ice-rink 114, 118, 124 Great White House 193 Greenmarket Square 16, 102, 104-105 Green Point Flea Market 102 Groot Constantia Antique and Collectables Market 86, 92, 97 Groot Constantia Estate 33, 91-93, 92-93,97, 122 Groote Post Wine Estate 130, 144,146 Groote Schuur Hospital 22 GrootrivierPassl62,211,213 Grotto Beach 185 GydoPass 162 Hamilton Russell Vineyards 183,192 Harold Porter National Botanical Garden 180, 192 Haute Cabriere Cellar Restaurant 49,50 Heads Adventure Centre 208 Heartworks 108, 110 Heerenlogement Cave 167-168 Helderberg Nature Reserve 224,230 Helderberg Tourism 224,231 Helderberg Wine Route 224, 230 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 183 Heritage Square 16, 21 Hermanus 181-186, 192,193,226 Hermanus Golf Club 225-226,230 Hermanus Tourism 193,231 Hermanus Whale Cruises 182,192 Hildenbrand Wine & Olive Estate 58, 63-64,67 HoekseBerg 162 Holocaust Centre 17 Hotchi-Witchi 108, 110 Houseboats on Langebaan Lagoon 147 HoutBay29, 179 Imax125 Imhoff Farm 28, 32, 123,125 Imizamo Yethu Township Tours 32 Independent Armchair Theatre 30, 33 India Jane 105,110 Intimate Theatre 30, 33 Ivanhoe Sea Safaris 190,193 Jewish Museum 16 Jonkershuis restaurant (Groot Constantia) 92, 97 Jonkershuis restaurant (Spier) 44 Kaaimans Gorge 209 Kagga Kamma Private Game Reserve 158,159,171 Kalk Bay 24,25,94,96-97,179 Kalk Bay Antiques Centre 94, 97 Kalk Bay Theatre 30, 33 Kalk Bay Trading Post 94, 97 Kammabaai 185 Karoo Regional Tourism Organisation 215,231 Kassiesbaai 191 Katbakkies Pass 162 Keurbooms River 210 Keurboomstrand 211-212 Khoisan Kitchen restaurant 164 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens 14, 17,21-22,^-^, 32,122 Klein Cederberg Guesthouse 158, 171 Klein Constantia 23, 33 Klein Dassenberg 53 Klein Oliphantshoek 53 Klein River 187 Klein River Boat Hire 192 Klein River Cheese 192 Kloof Street 107-108, 110 Klooftique 107, 110 Knysna208-209,212,213 Knysna Elephant Park 209 Knysna Oyster Festival 209 Knysna Tourism 215,231 Knysna Waterfront Sailing Charters & Catamaran Cruises 212, 215 Kogelberg Biosphere 225 Kolgans River Restaurant 72, 80, 81 Kommetj'ie 28, 123 Kouberg Pass 162 Kromrivier 161, 171 L'Agulhas 1S6-187, 189, 193 LaMasseria41,58,64-65,67 Lambert's Bay Bird Island 167, 168 Lambert's Bay Tourism 168, 170 Langebaan 138-139 Langebaan Country Estate 139, 146 Langebaan Tourism Bureau 147 La Verdure 53 Le Bonheur Croc Farm 66, 67,123 Leipoldt, C. Louis 159, 166 Leisure Island 209, 213 Le Manoir De Brendal 53 Le Petite Tarte 104 Le Quartier Francais 50,53 Lim 107,108,110 Lion Battery 18-19 Lion's Head 17 Little Theatre 30, 33 LLandudno29, 179 Loft Living 108, 110 Long Street 17,86,89-90, 110 Long Street Antique Arcade 89, 96 Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum 231 Maalgat 162, 163 Magic Castle 114, 118, 124 Mariana's Deli and Bistro 187, 192 Marine Dynamics 190, 193 Marx & Harris 108, 110 Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve 159, 161,170 Maynardville Open-air Theatre 30, 33 Melkbosstrand 134 Mememe107, 110 Michael Stevenson Contemporary Gallery 106, 110 Michell's Pass 162 Middelvlei 44-45, 53 Monkey Land Primate Sanctuary 210 Monkey Town 123, 125, 231 Montebello Craft & Design Centre 108,110 Moreson 36, 49,50, 53 Mossel Bay 206-207,226-227 Mossel Bay Golf Estate 226-227 Mossel Bay Tourism 215,227,231 Mostert's Mill 22 mountain hiking 205 MountCeder 158, 171 Mount Nelson 17 MTN Sciencentre 119-120, 124 Muisbosskerm 168, 170 Muizenberg 123, 178, 179 Munro Manor 231 Nature's Valley 213 New Junk Shop 187 NiewoudtPass 162 Noon Gun 14, 18-19 Nuwerust 158, 171 Old Harbour Museum 185 Olympia Cafe 25, 33 On Broadway 30, 33 On the Rocks restaurant 144 Ons Huisie restaurant 134, 146 Op-die-Berg 157 Ottiger's 108,110 Oude Libertas 30, 33 Oude Wellington 58 Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe 209, 228,231 Out There Facilitation 203, 215 Overberg Tourism 193 Oystercatcher's Haven 147 Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve 170 Paarl Rock 154-155 Paarl Tourism 67,170 Paarl Vintners 67 Pakhuis Pass 162, 164 Pan African Market 102, 107, 110 paragliding 198,204 Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve 76 Paternoster 140-141 Paternoster se Padstal 141-142, 146 Peanut Gallery 107, 110 penguins 24-25, 25-26, 32 Peter Visser Gallery 107, 110 Peter Visser Gifts 107, 110 Photographers Gallery 107,110 Piekenierskloof Pass 162 Planetarium 17 Platanna River Trips 187, 192 Plettenberg Bay 209-210 Plettenberg Bay Tourism 215 Plush Bazaar 106,110 Postberg Reserve 137,146 Posthuys 18,25 Private Collections 105 quadbiking207,213,?H227 Quagga Trading 94, 97 Rafikis Restaurant 211-212 Ratanga Junction 11S-]19, 119,124 Red Shed (Waterfront) 102 Rhebokskloof 58, 64, 67 Rhodes Memorial 22 Rhodes's Cottage 24-25 Rietvlei 158,171 Robben Island 14,20-21,32, 133 Robberg Peninsula 209 Robertson 75-76 Robertson Tourism Bureau 81 Robertson Wine Valley 81 Rondeberg Private Nature Reserve 130, 135-137,146 Rooiels179 Rotary Way 182-183 Route 62:70,72,73 Royal Cape Golf Course 224, 230 Ruitersvlei 65 Rustenberg 46-47, 53, 60 St George's Cathedral 16 St George's Mall 16 St Helena Bay 142 St James 24,123 Salmanslaagte 164,166 Sanccobl19,124 Sanddrif162,163,171 Scarborough 27, 28 Scratch Patch and Mineral World 125 scuba diving 198,208,209 Seaforth 25 Seal Adventures 213 Seal Island 207 Sea Point 123,179 Second Time Around 90,96 Sevilla rock art trail 152,164,165-166 Shark Africa 198,207 shark-diving 188,190,206-207,207 Shipwreck Museum 191 Shor Bazaar 94, 97 Signal Hill 19-20 Simon's 92, 97 Simon's Town 94, 122,179 Slangkop lighthouse 32 Slave Lodge 16 Soekershof Maze and Botanical Garden 68, 78-79, 81 Solele Game Reserve 28,32 Somerset West 125,224 Somerset West Golf Club 224, 230 So Now? 110 South African Museum 17 South African National Gallery 16 Southern Right Charters 182,192 Spier 36, 43-44, 53,116,124 Spier De Zaize Golf Club 222-223,230 Spier Open-air Amphitheatre 17, 30, 33 Springfield wine estate 76 Spring Tide Charters 212 StadsaalCave 159, 161 Stanford 186-187, 192 Stanford Tourism 193 Steenberg Golf Estate 224, 230 Steenberg Restaurant 23, 33 Stellenbosch area 40-46 Stellenbosch Wine Routes 53 Still Life 107, 110 Stony Brook 48,53 Storms River Adventures 211 Strand Golf Course 224, 230 Streetwires 106, 110-111 Struisbaai 189 Suidpunt Tourism 193 Sumaridge Wines 183, 192 Swartruggens Nature Conservancy 158 Taal Monument 154 Table Bay harbour 132-133 Table Bay Hotel 17 Table Mountain 16, 133, 133, 201-203,205 Table Mountain Cableway 20, 32, 215 Telkom Exploratorium 125 Theatre on the Bay 30, 33 The Burgundy 181 The Dunes 4x4 Route 168, 170 The Farmhouse Hotel 147 The Magic Company 124 The Railway House 94, 97 The What Not 94, 97 Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve 142 Tieties Bay 141 Tim Curtis Antiques 94, 97 township tours 21, 32 Traveller's Rest Holiday Cottages 159, 164,171 Treasure Trove 94, 97 Tree-top Canopy Tour 211 Truitjieskraal 161-162 Tsitsikamma Forest 210,211 Two Oceans Aquarium 125 Two Oceans Restaurant 33 Tygerberg Zoo 67, 119, 123,124 Ubuntu Cultural Tours of Zwelihie Township 185, 192 UitkykPass 162 V&A Waterfront 53, 125 Van Loveren 72, 77, 81 Velddrif168 Vergelegen 224 Viljoensdrift Wines 72, 77-78, 81 VIeesbaai Dune Route 207 Voorstrandt restaurant 141, 146 Vrede en Lust estate 62 Vredenburg 140 Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve 76 WaenhuiskransseeArniston Walker Bay 181 Waterford 42-43,53 Waterfront 53,125 Wellington Tourism 67 Wellmont 66, 67 West Coast Fossil Park 140, 146 West Coast National Park 137, 146 West Coast Ostrich Ranch 119, 124 West Coast Tourism Bureau 147 Wethu Experiences 157-158,170 whale crier 182, 185, 192 Whalehaven Wines 183, 192 Whale Rock 209 Whale Route Information Line 192 White Shark Adventures 190, 193 Wild Mossel Bay215 Wine Desk (Waterfront) 53 Wolfberg Cracks 162-163 Woodbridge Island 133 World of Birds 29, 32, 123,125 Wupperthal 166-167 Wupperthal Tourism 170 Yokohama 25 Young Designers Emporium 109 Yzerfontein 137 Zingela Indicia 227,231 Zoo Ridge 158, 171 Zwelihie Township 185, 192 |