Helderberg, a tourist paradise
Backdropped by magnificent mountains and blessed with diverse flora and fauna, kilometres of white, sandy beaches and its own wine route, Helderberg is a tourists’ paradise. North, across False Bay’s wide, tranquil expanse, Table Mountain’s distinctive silhouette looks out over the Cape Flats. Rich in history, Helderberg is the last resting place of Sheikh Yusuf, buried at the Macassar Kramat (Moslem Shrine) in 1699.
Helderberg is a wine-producing area in the Western Cape and consists of Somerset West, Strand, Gordons Bay, Sir Lowry’s Pass and Macassar.
The Helderberg Wine Route (‘from the sea to the vine’) boasts some of the oldest estates and manor houses and was awarded the first two five-star ratings ever to South African wines by Wine magazine.
Accommodation is plentiful and varied and the Helderberg boasts some of the finest restaurants, steakhouses, pizzerias, take-aways and speciality eateries in the Western Cape. Every conceivable sport is on offer. Helderberg has three golf courses and hosts every type of watersport.The Helderberg Mountains offer walking, hiking, rock climbing and trailing and, with our wonderful, near-perfect year-round climate, your visit can only be a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Looking for things to do in Somerset West, it is only 20 minutes from the our Guest House! Somerset West is surrounded by orchards, farmlands and vineyards.
Somerset West lies at the foot of the Helderberg mountains. Winter or summer, there is always something to do in the Helderberg.
The Helderberg is a firm favourite with golfers, wine lovers and beach bums, and it’s easy to see why.
South-east of Cape Town (45km / 28mi) , Somerset West was established in 1822 and named after the then-governor, Lord Charles Somerset. Somerset West is a bustling commercial and residential town at the foot of the magnificent Hottentots Holland Mountains (Helderberg Nature Reserve), which retains its village atmosphere. The area is renowned for its state of the art golf courses, of which the most famous is the Erinvale golf course, designed by the South African golfer Gary Player.
There is Wildlife in the Helderberg! The beautiful Helderberg Nature Reserve, is one of the main attractions of the area. While the reserve is famous for its wild proteas and superb bird life, it is also home to small mammals such as bontebok and duiker. There are numerous walks that showcase the beauty of the reserve, including proteas, birds, fynbos and medicinal plants. No visit to Somerset West would be complete without a visit to the Cheetah Outreach, where you can get to view these elegant animals and learn about African wildlife.
Come and stay at Wind-Rose Guest house and go and experience olive oil and Wine Tasting at Morgenster or Lourensford and even Beer tasting at Triggerfish Brewing!
Read more about Somerset West: Cape Town Travel Website
Find more information about things to do in Somerset West at:
Strand Tourism Bureau
11 Victoria Street
Somerset west.
+27 21 8514022
Major attractions
Country Craft Market 150 stalls of high quality, hand-crafted goods have become the friendly gathering place of discerning treasure seekers. Sept-May.
+27 21 8526608
National monuments
The old bridge over the Lourens River built in 1845; the old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Church built in 1820 where ‘Onze Jan’ Hofmeyr and other prominent South Africans are buried; the police station, magistrate’s offices, coachman’s cottage and the Ou Pastorie. Vergelegen Estate Wine tasting, cellar tours and sales are on offer at the magnificent homestead and farm built by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700 with 300-year-old camphor trees. The remaining trees have been declared national monuments. Lunch in the Lady Phillips Tea Garden before strolling the famous rose and herb gardens.
+27 21 8471334
The Great Outdoors
Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary Lower Victoria Street. Popular with birdlovers because of its wide variety of water birds.
Firlands Farm World
On the N2 below Sir Lowry’s Pass.
+27 21 8563130
Helderberg Nature Reserve
The beautiful reserve on the edge of town is a nature lovers’ and hikers’ paradise famous for its protea species and rich birdlife. Picnic under 100-year-old oak trees or lunch at the Duck Inn
+27 21 8516982 or +27 21 8514022
Sport
Three golf courses, bowls, croquet, horseriding, tennis, and other activities.
From small beginnings in 1714, Strand has grown into a thriving holiday and business centre 15 minutes from Cape Town International Airport and 30 minutes from the city by car, with regular train services.
A wide range of accommodation establishments, restaurants and shops is available.
Strand Tourism Bureau
Millstreet
P.O.Box 3,
Strand 7140.
+27 21 8536796
The Great Outdoors
Beach
The beach stretches 5km along Melk Bay, with minigolf, a waterchute on the beachfront and two tidal pools.
Surfing and Swimming
Surfing and swimming are favourite pastimes, while the coastline between Strand and Rooiels is extremely popular with anglers and divers.
Bird walk Along the Lourens River.
Sport
All watersports, an 18-hole golf course, tennis (Boland championships are played here), rugby, squash, bowls, jukskei, gymnastics, karate and three hiking trails in easy reach.
Strand Pavilion
BA magnificent holiday resort next to a covered, heated, Olympic-size swimming pool.
+27 21 8532725
Read more things to do in Helderberg.
https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/westerncape/bysuburb/sir-lowrys-pass/
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