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Cape West Coast:
Bloubergstrand
is a suburb of Cape Town located on the shores of Table Bay, about 25km
to the north of the city centre. Its name in Afrikaans means "blue mountain
beach" after Blouberg, a hill not far inland from the coast. It is mainly
residential and attracts large numbers of visitors, both from the city,
from other parts of South Africa and from overseas. Bloubergstrand is known
for its white sandy beaches and the location from which the classic view
of Table Mountain is seen.
The decisive Battle of Blaauwberg
took place near here in 1806. The British defeated the defending Dutch
forces and occupied the Cape Colony.
The main beach in Bloubergstrand
is called Big Bay, and is current under threat of development of a hovercraft
terminal. An active campaign to object to the development is running at
SaveBigBay.com
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Langebaan
is an idyllic little seaside town on the South African West Coast, just
about an hour's drive from Cape Town. It is located at the edge of
the Langebaan lagoon. The lagoon is part of a protected area, the
West Coast National Park, and is also popular for all kinds of water sport.
The area is popular with nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
During the flower season
the landscape is transformed into a giant wildflower garden. Langebaan
is a very popular holiday resort and offers a wide variety of activities
and attractions within the immediate area.
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 Milnerton
is
a suburb of Cape Town in South Africa situated on the Atlantic Ocean 11
kilometres to the north of Cape Town city's centre. The Milnerton
area of Cape Town includes Cambridge Estate, Century City, Du Noon, Joe
Slovo Park, Lagoon Beach, Milnerton Ridge, Royal Ascot, Sanddrift, Tygerhof
and Woodbridge Island.
One of the most identifiable
features of Milnerton is its lagoon, formed where the Diep River enters
the sea, with palm trees adorning the lagoon banks. The lagoon is used
by canoeists from the Milnerton Canoe Club, and has extensive bird life.
One of the most identifiable
features of Milnerton is its lagoon, formed where the Diep River enters
the sea, with palm trees adorning the lagoon banks. The lagoon is used
by canoeists from the Milnerton Canoe Club, and has extensive bird life.
Woodbridge Island
- Two bridges join Woodbridge Island to the mainland of Milnerton proper.
The wooden bridge (after which the island is named) is now a national heritage
site and, although was once used for general traffic, is now restricted
to pedestrian use. A local school has changed its name from Zonnekos Primary
to Woodbridge Primary in honour of the landmark. A newer bridge allows
cars to cross to the island. The Milnerton lighthouse is also a popular
landmark found on the island.
Milnerton beach - Milnerton's
beach is well known for its views of Table Mountain and is a popular spot
for walkers and surfers. The wave size varies from small to large and tends
to barrel, with the best waves occurring when there is a south-easter blowing.
The water is generally cold, the result of the [Benguela current] that
flows along Africa's western shore. The beach is a favourite for watersports
- including the very popular weekly Wednesday night downwind surf ski races
from Milnerton to Blouberg beach.
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The
beautiful Koeberg Nature Reserve, Cape Town by Tracey Obery
The Koeberg Nature Reserve
surrounds the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, and is situated about 30 km
from Cape Town. It can be reached by taking the West Coast Road (R27) past
the beach-side suburbs of Milnerton, Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand.
History
The Reserve measures roughly
3,000 hectares of Eskom property, and was proclaimed as a nature reserve
in 1991. It was established to protect and conserve the local flora and
fauna, and it also acts as an educational center for young and old.
Within the reserve you can
find a number of unique coastal land forms, wetlands and different vegetation
communities protected within this area. Therefore the reserve plays a pivotal
role in the conservation of the area, especially since the development
of industries and residential properties along the West Coast.
Trails
The reserve offers two diverse,
well marked hiking trails and a mountain bike trail.
1.The Dikkop Trail (9.5km;
19,3km, or a 22.3 km trail)
The Dikkop Trail has been
designed to lead the hiker through a widely varying terrain, and it is
the perfect opportunity to experience the many moods of the West Coast.
The trail starts at the visitor center, and follows a circular route through
the nature reserve.
The Mountain Biking trail
follows a similar route to the Dikkop Trail, with plenty of gradients to
make it enjoyable for the seasoned cyclist and the novice, young or old.
1.Grysbok Trail (2,5km or
5,7km trails)
The Grysbok trail again starts
at the visitors center covered parking and follows a circular route through
the reserve. There are two alternatives for this trail, the first is a
5,7 km hike, which follows a circular walk , which includes a stroll along
a "private" stretch of beach and offers beautiful, unobstructed views of
Table Mountain. There is an abundance of plant life and fynbos to be seen
and animal life, especially bird-life is abundant. Hikers will also be
able to view the ruins of a historical farmhouse, a truly spectacular site
in Spring, with a variety of flowers in bloom, all around.
The 2,5 km trail will take
you through all of the above areas, except the wetlands, and is a pleasant
way to spend a few hours.
Animal Life
The reserve has a variety
of buck; Springbok, Bontebok, Eland and Impala's, they also have a small
herd of Zebra, all the animals are originally indigenous to the area and
have bee reintroduced so that visitors can view them in their natural habitats.
The park has a few small predators, such as the African Wildcat, Grey Mongoose
and Genet, and if lucky visitors might be able to spot the elusive Caracal,
which is the largest predator in the area. Reptiles are also abundant in
the park, and if you are patient you can observe first-hand the habits
of the Cape Cobra, Mole Snake, Boomslang, Skaapsteker and the Angulated
Tortoise.
For the bird-watcher there
are over 172 identified bird species on the reserve, which can make for
hours of uninterrupted bird watching.
During the whale season,
there are viewing platforms which offer you perfect and private views of
Southern Right Whales.
The reserve is continually
expanding on the breeds of animal at the reserve, and now have Wildebeest
on their list of wild life.
Be sure to pop in to the
visitors center and ask for a map of their trails before you start to ensure
that you make an informed decision.
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