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L’AGULHAS

April 6, 2011

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L’Agulhas is the southernmost town in Africa and the closest to the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans officially meet.  Early Portuguese seafarers rounding this dangerous cape christened it Golfo de Agulhas (Gulf of Needles).  Later, due to French influence, the name underwent a further change and the town subsequently became known as L’Agulhas.

The name refers to the jagged rocks of the coastline and the fact that a compass needle shows a 26 degree deviation at this spot between true north and magnetic north. L’Agulhas gets its rich heritage from the shipwreck survivors of many nationalities who settled in this remote place.

The windswept, ruggedly beautiful Agulhas Plain lays claim to the developing Agulhas National Park, which is host to more than 1 750 botanical species.  The coastline supports a rich marine and intertidal life, with breeding sites of rare birds such as the African Black Oystercatcher, and Southern Right whales can be seen at play in spring and early summer.

The country’s second oldest working lighthouse was built here in 1848 in the Pharaohs style.  You can browse the fascinating lighthouse museum and curio shop, stop for a cup of tea or a meal, or climb the 71 steps to the top of the Lighthouse.  The koppie (small hill) behind the lighthouse provides a panoramic view of passing ships and the point at which the two oceans meet.  The actual southernmost tip of Africa is marked by a simple cairn situated 1km west of the lighthouse.  East of the tip are visvywers (fish traps) which were created by inhabitants of the area thousands of years ago.  These traps – constructed by building dams across shallow gullies – strand the fish on the outgoing tide.  Some vywers have been maintained through the centuries and are still used today.  The discovery of stone hearths and pottery, together with shell middens, are a valuable historic and cultural legacy left by the Khoikhoi beach nomads, who lived along this coastline for centuries.

The water around the shoreline here is very shallow and Cape Agulhas is known to have one of the best fishing grounds in South Africa.  L’Agulhas also has several hiking trails, and there are also tidal pools and rock pools for swimming. The small village of Suiderstrand is located just 5kms west of the southern tip, on the Atlantic Ocean side.  Completely surrounded by the Agulhas National Park and the ocean, this village is a nature lover’s paradise.  Coastal walks and hikes through the National Park rewards the visitor with superb views, pristine beaches, pebble bays, rock pools and a unique marine lagoon.

For more information contact the L’Agulhas Tourism Information Office:

Contact person: Maureen Fourie

Contact number: +27 (0) 28 435 7185

Email:


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STRUISBAAI

April 6, 2011
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Struisbaai is situated approximately 10 km from Cape Agulhas. This coastal resort boasts the longest continuous stretch of white sand coastline in the Southern Hemisphere, and each of the 13 pristine kilometers offers safe bathing.

Legend has it that the town was named either after the ostriches vogelstruise found in the area or otherwise from the meaning of the word struis – large in Dutch.
Another draw-card of this holiday destination, apart from angling, is the relatively unspoilt environment. Visitors are drawn to the coast by its natural beauty which enriches and strengthens the soul.

The lime washed Hotagterklip cottages at the entrance to Struisbaai are well-known landmarks, as is the little thatched roof church in the business centre. These houses and the church are all National Heritage Sites.
The picturesque Struisbaai harbour, too, is extremely popular among visitors especially our foreign guests who are thrilled to experience one of the last remaining historic and cultural fishing harbours on our South African coastline. A considerable number of the permanent residents of this fast growing coastal town make their livelihood from the sea. Braving the rich fishing grounds with their little boats, they set out from the safe fishing harbour, a favorite meeting place for anglers, traders and visitors.

A unique tourist attraction in the harbour is the community of giant stingrays (family Dasyatidia) that live within its sheltered waters. Visitors are astonished and thrilled to see the 2-metre long rays – especially when being fed fish scraps by hand by small children.
Sea birds are plentiful in the area. Common are gannets, cormorants, sandpipers, and of course the seagulls, which keep the beaches clean. The African black oyster catcher and the Damara Tern, however, have been placed on the Red Data Endangered Bird List. This is due to their habitat and breeding grounds having been threatened by human invasion and the former practice of motorized vehicles driving on our beaches.

Around the middle of the last century, most of the old cottages were allowed to fall into ruin. Since then, however, many of the original cottages have been expertly restored.

For more information contact the L’Agulhas Tourism Information Office:

Contact person: Maureen Fourie

Contact number: +27 (0) 28 435 7185

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ELIM

April 6, 2011

 

The quaint little village of Elim, situated halfway between Gansbaai and Bredasdorp is the oldest village in the Strandveld.Founded by Moravian missionaries in 1824, and largely inhabited by members of the Moravian Church, Elim’s brief biblical name comes from Exodus 15:27.The Israelites, after crossing the Red Sea “came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.”

On entering Elim, the visitor is welcomed by fruit trees, fynbos,and the charm of the historic whitewashed cottages. Most of these buildings date back to the nineteenth century.However, as time goes by, the local community tends to build more modern houses with painted walls and corrugated iron roofs.

All roads in Elim lead to the beautiful Moravian Mission Church, and, should you pass through Elim on a Sunday, you will be welcome to attend a church service.These are held at 10h00 and the traditional Elim Brass Band plays here as well as at selected festivals in the area.The church clock dates back some 240 years and still keeps good time.Although acquired for Elim in 1914, the clock has been working since 1764 when it was built in Germany for a church in Herren hut.A memorial thanking God for the emancipation of the slaves in 1838 stands near the church.

As you walk through Elim’s narrow streets, be sure to visit the local heritage centre where you will glean further information about the town’s history.Of further interest is the village’s restored corn mill, built in 1828, which has the largest wooden water wheel in the country – and in the same complex is a small restaurant where visitors can en joy tea, coffee or lunch.

The Moravian community consists of farmers, farm workers and artisans.Elim thatchers are particularly skilled and renowned for their craftsmanship and the area is becoming well known for the cultivation of vineyards and the export of fynbos (the rarest in the world).

The entire village of Elim has been declared a national heritage site.

For more information contact the Elim Tourism Information Office:

Contact person: Amanda Cloete

Contact number: +27 (0) 28 482 1806

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BREDASDORP

April 6, 2011

 

discover Bredasdorp

Bredasdorp, known as South Africa’s first ‘dorp’, was established in 1838 on the farm Langefontein and named after a local farmer, Michiel van Breda, whose descendants still own the historic farm, Zoetendals Vallei.

Van Breda was the first mayor of Cape Town and is regarded by many to have been the father of the merino sheep industry in this country. A rivalry between Van Breda and his neighbour, P.V. van der Byl, led to the establishment of two separate churches on their farms, and this again resulted in the establishment of two separate towns – Bredasdorp and Napier.  Today Bredasdorp is the economic hub of the dairy, wool and wheat farming industries in the Cape Agulhas region.

Whilst in town, pay a visit to the fascinating Shipwreck Museum.  The museum is filled with artefacts, collected over the centuries, from the many ships that have foundered along our treacherous Agulhas coast. Interesting too, is the Audrey Blignaut Room, that pays homage to this famous Bredasdorp-born essayist – and the nearby Dutch Reformed Church is a striking example of Cape-Gothic architecture. At the foot of the Bredasdorp mountains lies the Heuningberg Nature Reserve where the rare red Bredasdorp lily (Cyrtanthus guthrieae) can be found, whilst at nearby Rhenosterfontein farm an ancient white milkwood tree (Sideroxylon inerme) has been given National Heritage Site status.


A remnant of the first protective fence ever to be erected (1837) to help save the endangered Bontebok from extinction, can be seen on the historic farm, Nacht Wacht, on the way to Arniston. In October each year the Voet van Afrika Marathon takes place, with athletes taking the demanding route over the mountains from Bredasdorp to Napier.  The Overberg Air Show is held biennially and stock car races at least monthly – something to get your adrenalin pumping in this otherwise laid-back town.

The De Hoop Nature Reserve has recently received a facelift, thanks to the De Hoop Collection in partnership with CapeNature.  The reserve comprises 60 000 hectares of endangered fynbos.  It is also home to South Africa’s largest population of Bontebok and the endangered Mountain Zebra.  There are various hiking and mountain bike trails in the reserve, and Southern Right whales can be seen in numbers from June to November at Koppie Alleen and Infanta.  Then, closer to Bredasdorp, you’ll find the De Mond Nature Reserve at the estuary of the Heuningnes River which offers superb angling, coastal bird watching, and a number of wonderful hiking trails.  Both De Hoop and De Mond are listed South African Ramsar Wetland Sites.

Then, closer to Bredasdorp, you’ll find the De Mond Nature Reserve at the estuary of the Heuningnes River which offer superb angling, coastal bird watching, and a number of wonderful hiking trails. Both De Hoop and De Mond are listed South African Ramsar Wetland Sites.

For more information contact the L’Agulhas Tourism Information Office:

Contact person: Apphia Jaars
Tel: +27 (0) 28 424 2584
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Filed Under: Featured | Tagged: Tagged With: dairy, de hoop, events, farming, heuningberg, mega week, museum, restaurants, shopping, voet of afrika, wheat, wool

ARNISTON

April 25, 2010

Waenhuiskrans Cave (c) www.tm-media.co.za

Arniston is a small coastal village where time still seems to stand still – where the local fishing people continue in the footsteps of their ancestors, and where tourists come to enjoy this special hideaway.

This small town has no pumping nightlife or adrenalin-packed attractions – what you hear is the sound of the sea and the plaintive cries of the gulls, as the small fishing boats come in to Arniston Bay loaded with their daily catch. The great tragedy in Arniston’s history was the British transport/hospital ship, the Arniston, that foundered near the coast in 1815, with a loss of 372 lives.  Only six passengers survived, and a monument was erected in 1817 to commemorate the tragic loss of life.  A replica of this beacon can be seen today above the beach in front of the hotel. In spite of the peace and quiet of the town, there are many wonderful activities to delight the visitor.  Angling from rocks or beach, hiking along the coast or in the dunes, and whale watching are all popular.

The sea is safe for swimming, with the Agulhas Current bringing warmer water down from the tropics to Arniston’s beaches, However, a visit to Kassiesbaai, a 200-year-old fishing village that has been declared a national heritage site in its entirety, is essential for every visitor to Arniston.  The small settlement is characterised by unassuming cottages with thatched roofs and lime-washed walls.  Here you can experience the customs of the local people, as many of the residents still make their living from the sea.  There are some lovely little coffee and craft shops to visit in the village.

Arniston’s other name is Waenhuiskrans, which means wagon-house-cliff in Afrikaans.  This name derives from the massive limestone cave, across the dunes to the west of Roman Beach.  This cave, according to local theory, is so big that a wagon with a full span of oxen would be able to turn around in it.  The cave can only be accessed at low tide.

Filed Under: Featured | Tagged: Tagged With: azure sea, cob, cocktails, cormorants, dolphins, dunes, fresh fish, galjoen, heritage, historical village, kassiesbaai, local culture, scenery, shad, spearfishing, waenhuiskrans

NAPIER

April 25, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Napier lies at the foot of the Soetmuisberg and is surrounding by rolling wheat and barley fields.Established in 1838, this beautiful little town still contains much of its old world charm.It is also fast gaining a reputation as an artists’ community, and plays host to numerous cultural events.

Winter time is when this charming village is in its full glory, with the surrounding fields illuminated in hues of greens and yellow.With all this natural beauty and its proximity to Cape Town, it is no wonder that so many city dwellers have made this town their chosen getaway destination.Many of the old houses have been bought by ‘weekenders’ and lovingly restored to their former grace.

Named after Sir George Napier – governor of the Cape at the time – Napier’s main crafters were historically blacksmiths.The Dutch Reformed Church has rather unusual architecture, is built in the form of a Greek cross with teak interior, and has an exceptionally beautiful pipe organ.One of the first buildings in Napier, the Feeshuis, was used as slave quarters between 1810 and 1820.Then, in 1988, to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary, this lovely old building was restored to its original design and former glory.Other interesting historic structures include the Ox Wagon monument, erected in 1888 commemorating the Ossewa Trek of 1838, and the giant sundial at the municipal offices.

With its narrow streets and quaint architecture, Napier is a town with great charm.Along the Main Road you will find many restaurants, galleries, and a host of interesting collectors’ shops including the ToyMuseum.Other activities comprise horse riding, hiking (Grootberg Trail) and tractor rides.The countryside around Napier supports rare species of fynbos, and an abundance of bird life, including flocks of South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, that can be seen in the fields around the town.

 

Filed Under: Featured | Tagged: Tagged With: art gallery, church, events, farming, grootberg, heritage, horse riding, museums, patat festival, restaurants, village