CAPE
WEST COAST TRAVEL GUIDE - WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
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Map of Cape
West
Coast
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West Coast is
an acquired taste. The vegetation is subdued, the sky incredibly wide and
the sea very often a dead calm expanse of cerulean blue. But sometimes,
of course, it's an angry grey expanse of snarling and crashing breakers.
But change is the only certainty.
In spring, the somewhat monochromatic landscape explodes into a riot of
colour. In small hollows between the dunes bright blue heliophilas nod
on slender stalks as they turn towards the sun, and fields of orange, white,
yellow and purple daisies shimmer in the heat as far as the eye can see. |
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 The
West
Coast National Park is a great place to see the flowers, either by
car, on foot, or by bicycle. The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve,
near the small town of Paternoster,
is also a floral paradise but it's better known for its rocky shoreline
with numerous sheltered coves, so it's a very popular sea kayaking area.
But there are loads of other
places to see the flowers. The small town of Darling
is well known for its fabulous bulbs, annual flower show and as the home
of the wildly creative Pieter Dirk Uys who has catalysed the town's metamorphosis
from sleepy hollow to a vibrant cultural centre.
Traditionally the West Coast
has been populated by subsistence fishing folk, and their thatched, whitewashed
houses are typical of the area but, in many places they are becoming a
tad overshadowed by rather opulent holiday homes as South Africans have
woken to the fact that the West Coast is every bit as interesting as the
Garden
Route - albeit in a far more low key way.
 There
are some good wineries in the area and, while most of the eateries are
of the steak and pizza variety, there are some excellent restaurants -
many specialising in seafood. In fact, one of the most rewarding West Coast
experiences is to while away a whole afternoon at a traditional beach restaurant.
This is like nothing you've ever seen.
Built from dried out bushes
and a bit of shade cloth, these ephemeral structures offer makeshift furniture
on a sand floor and fabulous seafood cooked on an open fire and served
with home made bread. It's certainly not smart, but the food is excellent.
There's loads to do on the
West Coast. The birding is spectacular with huge flocks of resident and
migratory waders. There are horse trails, a fossil museum, boat trips on
the Berg River, some not particularly well organised whale watching,
and some good hiking and day walks. There is some interesting rock art.
Langebaan
is one of the top windsurfing and kite surfing spots in the world and there
are wonderful facilities for both experienced sailors and novices, and
the lagoon is perfect for kayaking. Elands Bay offers some of the
best surfing in the country and the nearby Verlorenvlei is a birder's paradise. |
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DARLING
ACCOMMODATION - CAPE WEST COAST
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| Darling
is a small town in a farming area on the west coast region of the Western
Cape, about 75km from Cape Town. By the beginning of the 18th century about
29 farmers lived in an area called Groenkloof and on one of these farms,
Langfonte, Darling was founded in 1853. It was named after Sir Charles
Henry Darling who came in 1851 to the Cape as Lieutenant Governor.
The Darling Museum shows the history of the town and the Darling creamery
which was established in 1899 by two Swedish settlers, Nils Georg Moller
and G. Threnstrom, and was closed in 1950. Darling is famous for its wildflowers
and since 1917 the annual Darling Wildflower show is held by the Darling
Wildflower Society, founded in 1915 by Mrs. Suzanne Malan and Mr. Frederick
Duckitt of Waylands.
The South African satirist
Pieter-Dirk Uys performs many of his shows as Evita Bezuidenhout at Evita
se Perron, a cabaret venue and restaurant in Darling. The adjacent arts
and crafts market has been taken over in 2006 by the Darling Trust, a charitable
organisation which addresses the problems of impoverished communities in
the area through the establishment of grassroots projects. |
View
Map of Darling
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Aloe
Cottage, Self-Catering Cottage, DARLING
Aloe Cottage is a luxury
self-catering cottage with magnificent views over Darling's rolling hills
and farmlands to the distant mountains. The cottage has been beautifully
decorated with top quality linen, furniture and artwork. Aloe Cottage
is the perfect romantic getaway for couples as well as for weekends away
with friends or family holidays. Downstairs comprises two bedrooms
(one with a queen-sized bed, one with twin single beds) both luxuriously
en-suite, with an open plan living/dining area with fireplace, kitchen
and large sheltered veranda with built-in braai (barbecue). The spacious
loft has its own private entrance and contains a queen-sized bed, private
sitting area, tea station and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The cottage includes a fireplace, heater, fans, books, games, a small fenced
indigenous garden, and lots more for your relaxation. It also includes
a television (M-Net on request), DVD player and CD player, just in case... |
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Darling
Lodge, Guest House, DARLING
The West Coast, heart of
South Africa’s Floral Kingdom and the Flamingo Bird Trail, is famous for
its unspoilt natural beauty: Game and Nature reserves, rolling hills, wheat
farms and wine estates, lagoons and long stretches of beaches can be found
and experienced in the immediate proximity of Darling. Darling Lodge,
less than 1 hour away from Cape Town, is a place to relax and unwind. This
in combination with a round of golf at the Darling Golf Course or numerous
Golf courses close by, driving through off-road trails, hiking in the Darling
Hills, a picnic on a wine farm, whale watching at Yzerfontein’s Sixteen
Miles Beach, visiting Evita Se Perron or watching a soccer match less than
an hours drive at the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Cape Town. |
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The
Granary, Guest House, DARLING
The Granary is situated
in the heart of the quaint and picturesque village of Darling which is
only 70 km or 40 minute drive from Cape Town on the West Coast and 23 km
or 15 minute drive to the beach. Darling is a charming 150 year old
village, nestled in a fold of the West Coast hills, surrounded by vineyards,
wheatfields, dairy pastures and wild flower reserves. Winter is rolling
green wheatfields, tasting award winning local wines, olives and dairy
products, relaxing in front of a roaring fire and visiting the unique museum
and theatre. Spring is a must for bird and wild life lovers, a breathtaking
multicoloured carpet of wild flowers, the excitement of the wild flower
and orchid shows and the Darling Spring Festival. Summer is harvesting
golden wheat, bringing in next year’s vintage and enjoying Darling’s colourful
Carnival or a visit to one of the spectacular West Coast beaches. |
More
accommodation options in Darling
DORINGBAAI
ACCOMMODATION - CAPE WEST COAST
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Thorn
Bay, Self-Catering Accommodation, DORINGBAAI
Total Relaxation ...
Situated on the West Coast is a small coastal town named “Doringbaai” ,
to the north is the Olifants River and to the South is Lamberts Bay. Thorn
Bay is approximately 3hours North of Cape Town. The West Coast
is known for:- Whale watching, wild flowers (all seasonal), wine tours
& crayfish diving. There are various activities - swimming, fishing,
walk trails along the cliffs, Quad bike trails, 4 x 4 trails or take a
drive to the various wineries, restaurants. There is a cave restaurant
“Kliphuis” and an open air, on the beach, restaurant “Muisbosskerm”. On
flat sea days you can see the diamond vessels in action. Each Unit
consists of a fully equipped kitchen, TV, linen, towels and own braai area
overlooking the harbour, lighthouse & unlimited sea view's. There are
the open-plan units ideal for 2 persons and the 2 bedrooms units ideal
for 2 couples plus 3 children. |
More
accommodation options in and near Doringbaai
ELANDS
BAY (ELANDSBAAI) ACCOMMODATION - CAPE WEST COAST
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| Elands
Bay (Elandsbaai) is a town in South Africa, situated in the
Western Cape Province, at 32°18'S, 18°19'E. The town is located
about two and a half hours drive north from Cape Town.
"Driving from Cape Town (Kaapstad)
through small fishing and crayfish towns (Paternoster, Vredenburg, Velddrif,
Laaiplek) just before Lamberts Bay (Lambertsbaai), a rather straight, flat,
open road, healthy nature, a "surprise" one finds when you enter the other
part of the west coast, enter Elandsbaai (Elandsbay, Elands Bay)...." Elandsbay
Backpackers |
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Map of Elands Bay
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Elands
Bay Guesthouse, Self-Catering House & Units, ELANDS BAY
The
main house is a lovely large self catering home that can accommodate 16
people comfortably. There are six bedrooms of which three are en-suite
with a full communal bathroom on the ground floor. Five of the bedrooms
have external accesses to balconies with a view or garden verandas.
A TV lounge with large screen plasma TV (DSTV), an informal sun lounge
area, dining room, open plan kitchen and external built-in braai on the
view balcony complete the main house. The annex consists of two entirely
separate self-contained two bedroomed units that are available at the rear
of the main house fronting on to the swimming pool. The annex units
are identical and sleep four comfortably with a sleeper couch option in
the lounge for an additional person if required. |
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Straw
House, Self-Catering Holiday Home, ELANDS BAY
This straw house, designed
by Matthew Beatty, and built by the Burgers epitomizes relaxation. The
thick bale walls protect from the relentless winds, keeping the rooms cool
in the hot dry summers and warm in the cold winters. A teak sliding door
& folding sliding window opens the living / kitchen area into a tranquil
court yard. The bedroom area is joined by a North African style “chill
out” area to the south and an outside bath house to the north. The modern
design is softened through the use of simple fittings and natural building
materials, creating the ultimate location to unwind. The house is
located in Elands Bay, on the West Coast of South Africa, about 3 hours
drive to the North from the City of Cape Town and its international airport. |
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Still
Waters Self-Catering Accommodation, ELANDS BAY
Still
Waters self-catering accommodation is a beautiful and peaceful place situated
on
the banks of the Velorenvlei Bird Reserve, approximately 5 km from Elands
Bay with its famous left break waves and pristine beaches. There is over
a hectare of extensive gardens and grounds with spectacular views over
Velorenvlei and surrounding countryside. The accommodation consists of
two historical buildings situated approximately 50 meter apart. The Pool
House was the original stable block, with the original ring wall still
being a feature, and is now a very spacious three bedroom house with a
large lounge and dining room, a spacious kitchen, bathroom, shower room
and two toilets. The Pool House can also be used to provide three separate
lock-up double bedrooms and a dormitory with single beds and shared accommodation
for surfers and travellers. |
More
accommodation options in Elands Bay
GROTTO
BAY ACCOMMODATION - CAPE WEST COAST
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Beach
House, Self-Catering Holiday Beach House, GROTTO BAY
Restore
your soul! Situated in Grotto Bay we offer you this beautiful 3 bedroomed
home in a Private Nature Reserve on the beach, which is fully furnished
with all your self catering necessities. There are 2 bathrooms, farm style
kitchen, indoor fire place, Webber braai, outside Jacuzzi and stunning
views. DSTV is available, but will require a smart card, so please bring
your own DSTV card along. Come, unwind and take in the beauty of
the West Coast Flowers in this secure and tranquil reserve. Sleeps 5 maximum.
Make it a holiday to remember. Beautiful 3 bedroomed home fully furnished,
2 bathrooms, farm style kitchen, indoor fire place, weeber braai, patio,
garden, outside jacuzi and stunning views. Sleeps 5. |
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accommodation options in Grotto Bay
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