| No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit | | | | vibrant fishing harbour. Fish Hoek's beautiful |
| to Cape Town and no trip to Cape Town is | | | | beaches are an inviting break from the road and |
| complete without a visit to the historic and | | | | the warm water of the Indian Ocean makes |
| picturesque Cape Point. As one of Cape Town's | | | | swimming a pleasure. The last stop before Cape |
| top three tourist destinations, Cape Point offers | | | | Point is the naval town of Simon's Town. As |
| visitors some of the highest cliffs and freshest air | | | | South Africa's third oldest town, there are many |
| in the world. This nature reserve is seeped in | | | | museums and historical attractions to explore, |
| history and offers a multitude of attractions to | | | | including the toy museum and the Roman Rock |
| keep the entire family busy for a whole day. | | | | Lighthouse. |
| A Historic Area | | | | Cape Point's Many Attractions |
| Cape Point has made its way into the history | | | | Interact with the baboons, learn about the history |
| books for as long history books have existed. | | | | of this magnificent destination and see some |
| Relics from the Khoisan people have been dated | | | | rather unusual sights when you spend a day at |
| as far back as 2000 years ago and the area is | | | | Cape Point. The lighthouse at Cape Point is the |
| rich in artefacts, middens and rock art. The year | | | | most powerful along the Southern African coast |
| 1488 saw the first ship travel around Cape Point | | | | and its light reaches over 63 km out to sea. Built |
| and due to a storm, Portuguese captain | | | | in 1860 on Cape Point Peak, the 238m above sea |
| Bartholomeu Dias stopped and nicknamed the | | | | level beacon was unbelievably often obscured by |
| area Cabo Tormentoso or Cape of Storms. The | | | | cloud, allowing many a ship to crash on the coast's |
| area became a favourite stop off point along the | | | | treacherous rocks. It was moved in 1911 to its |
| spice route to India and the likes of frequent | | | | current location and is a fascinating sight to see. |
| visitors like Vasco Da Gama are remembered | | | | Those treacherous rocks have signalled the end |
| here for revolutionising of global economics | | | | for many ships over the years and the coast is |
| through their trade with the East. King John of | | | | littered with hulking wrecks. The Lusitania, a ship |
| Portugal later renamed the area Cabo da Boa | | | | carrying over 700 people struck Bellows Rock |
| Esperança or the Cape of Good Hope for all | | | | just below the lighthouse and finally forced the |
| prosperity the area brought to the Portuguese | | | | change in the lighthouse's location. The last ship to |
| people and the name has stuck right up until | | | | fall victim to the rock was as recent as 1968, |
| today. | | | | when the Phyllisia, a Cape Town trawler sank just |
| Getting There - The Cape Point Route | | | | after midnight. Spotting these dark shapes in the |
| Even the actual trip down to the Cape Peninsula's | | | | waves is a thrill for tourists and history buffs alike |
| southern most point is a scenic and exciting one | | | | and make for an unusual addition to a Cape Point |
| and offers many attractions along the way. | | | | trip. |
| Heading through the historic town of Hout Bay | | | | Viewing all the sights of Cape Point is possible |
| could easily distract you as there are many quaint | | | | through leisurely hikes and walks, but for the less |
| restaurants, unique shops and picturesque spots | | | | outdoors-inclined, the exciting funicular will whisk |
| to visits. Named 'Wood Bay' by Jan van Riebeeck | | | | you right from the parking lot to the lighthouse. |
| after its dense forests, the people of Hout Bay | | | | You can sit back in comfort and view the |
| have preserved this small town's environment, | | | | scenery is this environmentally-friendly way to |
| atmosphere and history. Leaving Hout Bay, head | | | | travel around the point. The only one of its kind in |
| along Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa's most | | | | the world, the funicular is a novelty that the kids |
| revered engineering achievement. The road, | | | | will love. |
| created by blasting through granite and sandstone | | | | The Global Atmosphere Watch Station is also a |
| in 1922, offers one of the most spectacular | | | | must-see at Cape Point and was designed to |
| ocean drives in the world. Cape Town's last | | | | blend in with the rock face and surroundings. |
| remaining rural area, Noordhoek lies at the foot of | | | | Monitoring the pure Cape Point air gives scientists |
| 'Chappies' and is famed for its seemingly never | | | | useful information regarding climate change and is |
| ending long white beach. A stop-off in Noordhoek | | | | one of the 20 prestigious stations that are |
| has to include a visit to the Kakapo shipwreck | | | | scattered around the world. Visiting the |
| that ran aground there in 1900, after mistaking | | | | Buffelsfontein Visitors Centre is also a learning |
| Chapman's Peak for Cape Point. The last stop | | | | experience with many artefacts, displays and |
| before Cape Point is Kommetjie, the 2000 year | | | | videos about the rich history and environmental |
| old home of the Khoisan and is famous for its | | | | importance of the area. |
| numerous middens and ancient stone implements | | | | If you would prefer to be out in the fresh air |
| that dot the beaches. | | | | while you learn about Cape Point, digital tour |
| Approaching Cape Point from the other direction | | | | companies offer extensive tour videos that are |
| is just as scenic and is also guaranteed to make | | | | downloadable straight to your computer or mobile |
| you stop many times along the way. Starting in | | | | phone. These multilingual video travel guides allow |
| Muizenberg and following the Indian Ocean, this | | | | you to see the sights first hand while listening to |
| scenic drives tracks the railway all the way | | | | your own personal tour guide's detailed explanation |
| through to Cape Point. Large colonial homes dot | | | | of each one's history and significance. End off a |
| this route and many have been turned into | | | | trip to Cape Point with a delectable meal at the |
| fascinating museums chronicling the history of the | | | | Two Ocean's Restaurant. Situated high above the |
| area. Stop off in the quaint Kalk Bay which is | | | | ocean, the views are unparalleled, giving diners a |
| renowned for its quirky shops, antiques and | | | | meal to end off a trip that they will never forget. |