Western Cape Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Western Cape
The Western Cape Province lies on the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, extending in a wide arc round its capital, Cape Town. The population of 3.6 million speak mainly Afrikaans. The majority of the population are so-called "coloreds"; a people of diverse ancestry that didn't fit neatly into apartheid's pigeon-holes.The Western Cape has a wide range of industries, agriculture and a well-developed tourism infrastructure. Apart from two of South Africa's most dramatic landmarks, Table Mountain and Cape Point, the Western Cape offers rich fertile lands, secluded bays, white-sand beaches and lush green coastal forests. In contrast to this is the area of semi-desert called the Karoo in the province's interior. The Cape is also home to the fynbos, a scrubland that is specific to the area. A variety of nature reserves and national parks can be visited and the southern coastline is an important breeding ground for the Southern Right Whale.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a 200 km stretch of scenic highway running along the coast from Mossel Bay to the Storms River, East of Capetown. This beautiful drive is a top tourist attraction.
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West Coast National Park
This park encompasses the Langebaan Lagoon and four offshore islands along the West Coast. It is home to large numbers of birds.
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Tulbagh, South Africa
A trip from Cape Town into the Cedarberg can be combined with a visit to the pretty little town of Tulbagh. The soil and climate of this area favor the growing of fruit, and sheep-farming also makes a contribution to the local economy.The first settlers arrived in the valley of the Little Berg River in 1700 and, finding the land to be fertile, established numbers of farms in the area. In the mid 18th C they built a church, round which the little town of Tulbagh (named after a Governor of the Cape) grew up from 1795 onwards.In 1969 an earthquake destroyed much of the old town, but since then the damaged buildings have all been restored in their original form. In Church Street is a row of 32 gabled houses of the 18th and 19th centuries, one more charming than the other.
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Citrusdal, South Africa
Citrusdal, founded in 1916 in the fertile valley of the Olifants River, is a good base for excursions into the Cedarberg range.The area round Citrusdal is South Africa's third largest fruit-growing region. During the harvest, between May and October, more than 2 million crates of oranges and other fruit, with a total weight of over 80,000 tons, are packed in Citrusdal. Most of the crop is destined for export.Citrusdal itself has no sights of outstanding interest and is not a place where visitors will want to stay long. On Hex River farm, to the north of the town, is the oldest orange-tree in South Africa, said to be over 200 years old. The local museum, in Church Street, has a collection of material on the history of the town.
Wuppertal, South Africa
18km/11mi south of the turn-off for the Bidouw Valley is Wuppertal, a little town of whitewashed thatched houses set against a magnificent scenic backdrop, originally a mission station founded by the Rhenish Mission in 1832. Here, as in Clanwilliam, rooibos tea is manufactured and widely exported. An individual souvenir which may appeal to some visitors is a pair of velskoene, comfortable walking shoes.
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Darling, South Africa
Darling lies in the sandveld, as the 20-30km/12-18mi wide coastal strip north of Cape Town is called. The town was founded in 1853 and named after the then Governor of the Cape, Charles Darling.Darling is famed for its show of color in spring, when the fields are carpeted with flowers. Southeast of the town is the Darling Flora Reserve, and there is another flora reserve on the Yzerfontein road (R 315). (The fields of flowers belong to farms and can be visited only at particular times: information from tourist office.)The high point of Darling's year is the Wild Flower Show, held annually in the third week in September. Apart from its spring display of blossom Darling has no great features of tourist interest.
Malmesbury, South Africa
Malmesbury is the center of South Africa's largest wheat-growing area, situated in the region north of Cape Town known as Swartland (so called because of the dark color of its fertile soil), which produces wheat.Malmesbury grew up round a mineral spring which produces sulfurous water at a temperature of 32°C/90°F. The first settlers established themselves here in 1744. The settlement was given its present name in 1829 during a visit by the Governor of the Cape, who named it after his father-in-law the Earl of Malmesbury. The spring is no longer used for medicinal purposes.
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Bloubergstrand, South Africa
This little town on the west coast, 25km/16mi north of Cape Town, takes its name ("Blue Hill Beach") from a 330m/1,080ft high hill which has a bluish tinge when seen from the sea.In 1806 British forces landed near here and captured the settlement after tough resistance by the Dutch defenders. Later Bloubergstrand developed into an important fishing center. It is now a favored - and expensive - residential suburb of Cape Town.
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Robertson, South Africa
Like the neighboring towns of Montagu and Swellendam, Robertson is an attractive town with many parks and gardens, and a good base for walks in the Langeberg hills, it is a favorite holiday place well equipped to cater for visitors.
