Cape Point Route 5th Birthday Party & Brochure Launch!

Destination marketing organization for the South Peninsula, Cape Point Route launched their 2010 guide to the Cape Point Route at a function held at Café Roux at Noordhoek Farm Village on 18 November.
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The evening was combined with the company’s 5th birthday celebrations and was attended by over 100 members of the tourism industry, who all came dressed in orange to support Cape Point Route.

Barbara Elshove-Schmidt, founding member of Cape Point Route commented, “it is so wonderful to see a room full of orange. The Cape Point Route is nothing without our relationships and without the wonderful tourism offerings in the South Peninsula”.

Guests were greeted with wine from local estate, Cape Point Vineyards (who have recently launched a tasting room at the bottom of Chapman’s Peak Drive) and were amongst the first people to taste the new cultivar of Pinot Grigio from Two Oceans Wines.

During the speeches, Cape Point Route reflected on the past 5 years of this successful shared marketing program for the South Peninsula. They acknowledged the global recession and the challenges that faced the tourism industry resulting in cut backs in marketing budgets. With this in mind, Cape Point Route is particularly proud to launch the 5th guide which has remained fully comprehensive to provide information for visitors to the south.

The highlight of the evening was typical 5 year old party games including Pin the Penguin, Sack Race, Treasure Hunt, Donut eating competition and of course Twister. Exited guests rushed to find their team members to participate in the games, which were run by Enchanted Parties, in hope of winning grand prizes valued at over R60,000!

The next Cape Point Route shared marketing project is the Indaba Travel Show taking place 8 – 11 May 2010 in Durban. Tourism businesses from the south are invited to attend the Indaba introduction meeting taking place at 10h00 on Wed 25 November at Calders Hotel in Fish Hoek. If you wish to attend this meeting, please contact Cape Point Route on Tel 021 782 9356 or email info@capepointroute.co.za

Shipwrecks & Lighthouses on the Cape Point Route!

With the wilder winter weather we thought it would be interesting to tap into the darker side of the Cape Point Route which consists of 2 coastlines wrapped around a national park and runs from Hout Bay down the Atlantic coast to Cape Point and up the False Bay coastline to Muizenberg. The ancient seafarers called this region by another name - the “Cape of Storms”.

Since the first ships called in Table Bay more than 500 years ago, more than 450 known ships have been lost to the treacherous coastline of the Cape Peninsula. It is no wonder that the Cape Point Route now boasts 4 lighthouses – 2 of which are accessible to visitors and the other 2 provide great photo opportunities.

Slangkoppunt lighthouse in Kommetjie is the tallest cast iron lighthouse in South Africa and became operational in 1919, although it was commissioned in 1906 to safeguard against shipwrecks. For a mere R15 you can walk up the lighthouse, complete with prisms and lots of stairs and from the top are the most astounding views (weather dependent of course) and some excellent seabird viewing. The coastline around the lighthouse has many reefs and headlands that stretch far out to sea, hence the vast number of ships that have come to grief here. The most famous shipwrecks are the Kakapo in1900 which now lies on Long Beach and is accessible via a long and wild walk along the beach; the SS Clan Munro that was wrecked a little to the north of the lighthouse in1905 and the SS Maori that was shipwrecked in 1909 and can be visited by boat from Hout Bay.

At Cape Point Nature Reserve there are 2 lighthouses – the original one built in 1860 and one of the most famous and most photographed lighthouses in South Africa due to its easy access by the funicular or the walkways at Cape Point. It now functions as a lookout point as it stands at the highest peak. The old lighthouse was often obscured by fog and mist so a new lighthouse was commissioned after the Portuguese luxury liner the Lusitania ran aground on Bellows rock in 1911. Despite some phenomenal building challenges at the lower site, it was first lit in 1919 and today it is the most powerful lighthouse in South Africa. The new lighthouse can’t be seen from the viewpoint due to the shape of the promontory but there is a dramatic and seldom used walking trail to view the lighthouse.

Some of the famous shipwrecks are the Lusitania itself, Le Napolean which ran aground in 1805 and is one of the only pirate ships to be shipwrecked on the South African coast and the Thomas T Tucker which was a military ship that hit Albatross Rock in 1942 and parts of which can be seen on the beach at Olifantsbos. In Smitswinkel Bay alone there are 5 shipwrecks that now make up an artificial reef and have attracted so much marine life that it has become one of the most popular winter dive sites.

The final lighthouse is Roman Rock in Simon’s Town, which like the other 2 operational lighthouses also has a claim to fame in South African lighthouse lore, being the only one to be built on a rock. It is also the 3rd oldest lighthouse in South Africa being built in 1861 as a beacon to guide naval ships into Simon’s Town harbour. Incidentally Simon’s Town was established as the winter anchorage site for the Dutch East India Company as it was the best place to be in the Cape in winter – a great tip if you are looking for a winter destination!

Needless to say we usually prefer the term “Tavern of the Seas” to Cape of Storms as that implies a warm pub with a convivial atmosphere – and conveniently there are plenty of excellent taverns to warm up and refresh after a lighthouse or shipwreck extravaganza. It is easy to drive along the stunning coastline of the Cape Point Route via a network of excellent roads to visit these shipwreck and lighthouse sites. It’s a wonderful way to spend a couple of days and there is a huge variety of accommodation, refreshment and activity options.

Contact Cape Point Route for more information on how to enjoy the Cape of Storms this winter. 021 782 9356 or visit www.capepointroute.co.za

The longest night on the Cape Point Route.

The winter solstice on Thursday 21 June 2009 is the longest night of the year. Although South Africa has no official rituals or festivals to celebrate mid Winter, the longest night is still valued for emotional comfort. There is the knowledge that spring is on the way and seeking out places with light, fires, music, singing, dancing and feasting is high on the recommended list to stave off the winter blues and rekindle human spirit. Here’s our take on lighting your fire this weekend of long nights and short days.

In Muizenberg, Fogey’s Restaurant has live music on a Friday and Saturday night which is worth it just for the beat, but they have Sunday jazz over lunch as well. Not bad to keep you warm day or night.

Kalk Bay is high on the list of a Capetonian choice of evening out. New kids on the block are Winesense with a fabulous offering of wine tasting, where you stay master of your selections, rate them and sample quantity and quality as you choose. Some great tapas dishes enhance the wine tasting experience.

Fish Hoek Galley is a regular favourite being right on the beach. A good doze of fresh sea breeze is an excellent aide for a seafood extravaganza, but they do offer everything from captain’s breakfast to decadent meat dishes for the carnivore crowd. It’s a winner for any meal, 7 days a week.

In Simon’s Town, Pescados on the main street is keeping the prawns rockin’ and rollin’ with all you can eat specials on a Tuesday night complete with local Cape Point Route favourite musicians Dave Gomersal and Gordon Mackay alternating the Tuesday night sessions. Saturday nights are host to Shand who has one of those soothing voices that makes any meal slide down.

On the Atlantic side of the Cape Point Route one of our current favourites is the Cape Farmhouse in Scarborough. They have massive breakfasts and regular Saturday music sessions which take place indoors or out, irrespective of the weather. The Lone Sharks are a collaboration of Cape Town musicians and will be playing on Sat afternoon the 30th June so plan ahead and schedule an afternoon at Farmhouse Rocks – a family friendly affair.

Noordhoek Farm village is a must for winter warmers. There are three fabulous restaurants, shops, wine boutique, art galleries – you name it, you are sorted. Atmospheric by day or night, you can’t go wrong here for a winter tune-up.

The Red Herring in Noordhoek is a “far south” institution in its own right, with big screen sport, happy hours, live music and a convivial atmosphere, but a new secret is the restaurant Thoryfynns at Monkey Valley Resort almost across the road. Set in the milkwood forest this is a treat of a venue and open to the public.

Hout Bay itself has 2 great options at either end of the beach. Chapman’s Peak hotel has some of the best calamari in town and Mariners Wharf at the opposite end has a take out section as well as the Wharfside Grill. We recommend booking a dining cabin themed to famous ships for a treat. Whilst there check out the Fish market and wine shop as well as the antique store.

So when the nights are long and the days are short, it is an easy choice to head to the Cape Point Route for entertainment, fine food, warm fires, good views and excellent company. For any queries on where to go and what to do contact the Cape Point Route for suggestions. www.capepointroute.co.za Tel: 021 782 9356.

Easy Riders

Hop on a bike and explore the Cape Point Route (or part thereof) with the wind in your hair, mountains on one side and sea on the other.

You can get a great workout as you discover Cape Town from two wheels – plus it’s exhilarating.

The Cape of Good Hope National Park is the perfect place to explore: it’s relatively flat with excellent tarred roads and numerous bays to ‘park off’ and admire the view. What better place to spend the entire day in one of the wonders of the world, free of crazy traffic, and with some of the purest air. You could enjoy a picnic lunch watching bontebok graze and Cape sunbirds flit over proteas or better yet visit the Two Oceans restaurant which does some fantastic pasta dishes for carbo-loading. Cycling is permitted on all the routes but please don’t leave the path or feed the baboons. Cape Point Route offers guided tours in the park as well as other cycling trips on the Cape Point Route.

Muizenberg is the gateway to the Cape Point Route on the False Bay side and a perfect place to start your Cape Point Route cycle journey. You simply follow the coastline of the M4 down through St James and Kalk Bay (a fabulous bohemian and fishing town if you need an early rest). You head south through Fish Hoek and it is worth taking the detour past the beach, if only for a quick dip on this beautiful beach. The road bears left towards the naval and very nautical Simon’s Town which is jampacked with history and restaurants and is a worthwhile overnight stop.

From the gate at Cape Point the road route takes you past the hamlets of Scarborough and Misty Cliffs and around Slangkop Point through Kommetjie with the wild waters of the Atlantic on your left. There is a small climb to Ocean View on your right and take note of Masiphumelele on your left, which is a worthwhile excursion to experience Xhosa culture and discover township life by bike.
A fascinating stop is the BEN bicycle workshop which has mechanics that fix and repair bicycles. The BEN (Bicycle Empowerment Network) programme imports second hand bicycles from Europe and sells them at affordable rates to people in the communities as well as offering township bike tours.

As you come along the Kommetjie road, you will take a left turn onto the M6 that will take you past Longbeach Mall and towards Chapman’s Peak. You pass through Noordhoek, a peaceful cycle in a rural setting. When you hit a small but steep climb at the entrance to Noordhoek Farm Village, you’ll know your Chappies ascent has begun! It might be a good idea to stock up on refreshments at Noordhoek Farm Village before you tackle this magnificent road. Every bead of sweat is worth it as you crest the viewpoint at the top and descend into HoutBay for a well earned rest.

Please contact the Cape Point Route for more details on bike tours, bike guides or bike routes. Accommodation, restaurant and other activity information available on www.capepointroute.co.za or Call: 021 782 9356.

Chill out on the Cape Point Route...

Not every day or family activity has to be adrenaline packed. Slow things down with long walks on Noordhoek Beach to the Kakapo shipwreck. This long, wide stretch of sand is perfect for gentle kite flying, sand-castle building and sundowners. Beach boardwalks on the Cape Point Route are about dunes, water and wildlife – not amusement parks, gaming arcades or “your-name-on-a-grain-of-rice” stalls. There is a rustic wooden boardwalk to access Noordhoek’s Long Beach and elevated boardwalks to view the penguins at Boulders Coastal Park. “Board-less” walks along the waters edge include Jaggers walk from Fish Hoek Beach to Sunny Cove and the St James to Muizenberg walkway, along the tidal rock pools and with views up to the colonial stone mansions that line the Millionaires’ Mile. For a decadent experience stay at the exclusive Rodwell House in St James and they can assist with booking “strandloper safaris” with a marine biologist or taking care of any whims you may want to indulge – be it food or wine or any other extravagance.

Whether your days are energetic or lazily languished from lounging under the suns rays, it is worth contemplating the watery wonders from the land. Flip flops and bathing suits are welcome at most outdoor beach cafes by day. Many of these restaurants transform into fine dining locations by evening, with superb opportunities for over-eating. With two coastlines on the peninsula, it is hardly surprising that seafood tends to be the speciality at most restaurants. There are plenty of excellent restaurants with meat and vegetarian fare as well as a wide range of international cuisine. One has to ask what’s better than eating a meal with an ocean view? Perhaps the only suitable answer is an ocean view with wine. The Cape is known for its wines but we recommend trying the local Cape Point Wine of origin available at most restaurants.

The Cape Point Route is sensitive enough to satisfy the environmentally anxious but sufficiently cosmopolitan for the jet- setters. In addition to the sand and the swimming, the food and the fun, there is a fantastic combination of hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodation to satisfy any needs for groups, families, couples or individuals. With long wide stretches of sand, secret coves, swelling waves, quaint villages and a range of beach and land activities to indulge in, the Cape Point Route allows any visitor to choose from being a beach junkie one day to an informed contempory gallery hopper the next day. From stylish beach bohemia to rustic pleasures, energetic pursuits to relaxed lazy days the Cape Point Route has a beach for everyone.

For more information on beaches, activities, attractions or accommodation on the Cape Point Route, look at www.capepointroute.co.za.