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Province: Western Cape
Region: Cape Town Metropole/ Helderberg
Towns:
Gordon's Bay
| Somerset
Wes | Strand
The picturesque towns of Gordon's Bay, Lwandle, Macassar, Sir Lowry's
Pass, Somerset West and Strand are cradled between the beautiful Hottentots
Holland and Helderberg mountain ranges and the spectacular False Bay
coast.
Major Attractions
Beaches in Strand and Gordon's Bay
The long sheltered beaches of the Strand & Gordon's Bay are excellent
for swimming, sunbathing and is especially popular with watersport enthusiasts.
Strand has a 5km stretch of white sandy beach flanked with a promenade
and lined with restaurants, cafe's and shops. Bikini beach in Gordon's
Bay nestles between the mountain and the Gordon's Bay harbour and is
very protected especially against the "Cape Doctor". For the best surfing
experience "Kogelbay" in Gordon's Bay is a must.
Helderberg Wine Route
Helderberg Nature Reserve
Vergelegen Wine Estate - Open 7 days a week from 09:30-16:00.
Monkey Town
Country Craft Market
Steenbrasdam
Indibano African Village
Outdoors and Sport
Hiking
The area boasts many hiking trails of which the most popular are:
Steenbras River Gorge Hiking Trail
Adrenaline junkies can contact Abseil Africa for an abseiling excursion
at Kamikaze Canyon at the Steenbras River Gorge.
Wagon Wheel Trail
Helderbergplaas (farm)
Silverboomkloof Trail
Helderberg Nature Reserve
Watersports
The area is a well-known watersportsparadise and offers facilities for
surfing, windsurfing, yachting, jet-skiing and much, much more !
Golf
There are 3 18-hole golf courses in the area. One is the Gary Player
designed Edinvale Golf Course which hosted the World Cup Golf
Tournament in 1996.
Then there is the Somerset West Country Club and Strand
Golf Course where equipment can be hired.
For the novices we have the Vodacom Golf Village driving range. Helderberg
Retirement Village also has a 9-hole golf course that can be utilised
by appointment.
- Erinvale Golf Club
- Somerset West Country Club
- Strand Golf Course
- Vodacom Golf Village
- Helderberg Village
History and Culture
Lwandle Migrant Labour museum:
This is the first township-based museum in the Western Cape and the
first museum to commemorate migrancy in South Africa. Lwandle started
in 1958 as single dwelling hostels for migrant workers. The museum,
located in the former community hall, (with the theme "From homestead
to hostel") through its exhibits commemorates the trails, tribulations
and triumphs of migrant workers and hostel life in Southern Africa.
The museum is open Monday - from 09:30 - 16:00. For more information:
Please contact Bongani Mgijima at Tel +27-21 8456119
Vergelegen
A must for all visitors. Granted to Governor Willem Adriaan van der
Stel in 1700, and one of the Cape's most historic landmarks, the property
and buildings have been extensively restored. Visitors can admire the
ancient Camphor Trees (declared National Monuments in 1942), wander
through the Octagonal and rose gardens, walk through historic homestead
or view the magnificent library. They also offer cellar tours, wine
tasting and wine sales. There are two restaurants on the property. Open
7 days a week from 09:30-16:00.
Wagon Wheel Trails
Historic trail, starting opposite the viewpoint on the Sir Lowry's Pass
on the N2. This trail will take you through the historic "Gantouw Pass"
where you can clearly see the ruts left in the road by the wagons as
well as the original canons used in earlier days for signaling. The
wagon wheel tracks are declared National Monuments.
Sheik Yusuf Kramat
Sheik Yusuf is considered the founder of the Islamic faith in the Western
Cape. Exiled from Batavia in 1694 by the Dutch, he died on the farm
Zandvliet in 1699 where the Kramat is located today. The shrine is open
at all times for viewing, just remember to take off your shoes before
you enter!
Eco/Wildlife
Helderberg Nature Reserve
This reserve, with its abundant flora and fauna, is situated at the
foothills of the Helderberg Mountain, where families picnic in the shade
of the ancient oaks amidst rolling lawns. There are several walks/hikes
in the reserve and these are graded from a gentle amble through the
lower reaches to longer routes for the more energetic. Tel 021-8514060
Steenbrasdam
Permits are required at R10 per person. For permits contact City of
Cape Town - Helderberg Administration at Tel 021-8504521
Kogelberg Biosphere
Kogelberg Nature Reserve was declared a biosphere some 2 years ago and
is now managed according to the internationally accepted principles
of a biosphere reserve. This implies that the sensitive core area of
18000 ha remains pristine and essentially wild. There are many walking
and hiking trails in the reserve. Tel 028-2715138
Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary has a bird hide for ornithologists and keen photographers.
Tel 021-8551012
Helderberg Tourism Bureau
"Southy's Vines", 186 Main Road
Somerset West, 7130
Tel: +27-21-851 4022
Fax: +27-21-851 1497
E-mail: info@helderbergtourism.co.za
URL: www.helderbergtourism.co.za
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