West Coast
The West Coast coastal region is renowned for its 16 Mile Beach at Yzerfontein, the popular West Coast National Park and Langebaan Lagoon, while its inland attractions such as satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys’ “Evita’s Perron” at Darling, wine farms of the Swartland and Sandveld, the spectacular Cedarberg and Groot Winterhoek mountains and unique Namaqualand, add diversity to the region.
The West Coast region is located along the south-west coast of South Africa within the Western Cape Province. Made up of 44 towns, it extends from Blaauwberg in the Cape Metropolitan Area in the south, to the provincial border of Namaqualand in the north.
The coastal route from Cape Town to Lambert’s Bay is about 270km and includes 16 Mile Beach at Yzerfontein, the stunning West Coast National Park, Langebaan Lagoon and the charming seaside towns of Velddrif and Paternoster where you can climb to the top of Cape Columbine lighthouse and watch the return of the multi-coloured fishing boats.
Elands Bay at the mouth of the Verlorenvlei River is a surfer’s paradise, yet remains untouched by modern development and exudes oodles of old world charm. Travel inland to Riebeek Valley, a haven for artists and sculptors and known for its varied dining experiences, or head off to the Matzikama Coastal region where you can enjoy whale watching, fishing, bird watching and carpets of multi-coloured spring flowers.
Partake in an outdoor seafood feast of bokkoms (dried fish), crayfish and snoek (barracuda), or enjoy a glass of local wine from one of the friendly cellars along the Cape West Coast wine route; the Olifant’s River Vodacom Wine Route, the Darling Wine Experience and the Swartland Wine Route.
A must on any West Coast itinerary is a visit to ‘Evita se Peron’, a theatre restaurant situated at the old railway station in Darling.
Located in the heart of crayfish country is Lambert’s Bay with its famous Bird Island. Explore the historic mission stations of Wupperthal, or get up close and personal with nature on a hike through the Cedarberg Wilderness.
