Things to do near
Millers Point
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Beaches
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Simons Town (3.2 km from Millers Point) Fisherman's Beach is a lovely little sandy cove squeezed between rocky pinnacles near the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach and Simon's Town Golf Course.
The beach is surrounded by lawns and is perfect for a game of beach ball with family and friends or simply soaking up the sunshine.
Here the warmer ocean temperatures of False Bay make Fisherman's Beach a great spot for body surfing, boogie boarding and kayaking.
Hiking Trail
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Cape Point (3.9 km from Millers Point) Breath-taking views and close encounters with wildlife and pristine fynbos typify the Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail experience.
Starting at the main entrance gate, the trail is walked in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. Pick up keys for the overnight hut and leave your car here.
Plan to make the most of the spectacular views from the overnight huts on Da Gama Peak. You can see the sunrise and sunset over sweeping ocean views on either side of the Peninsula.
The overnight hut has hot showers, solar lighting, a gas cooker, rudimentary cutlery and crockery and an outdoor braai area. Order braai wood before starting the trail.
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 23.3 km
Beaches
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Smitswinkel Bay (3.9 km from Millers Point) Just past Simon’s Town and right next to Cape Point Nature Reserve lies Smitswinkel Bay, accessible only by foot or a small boat. The 15-minute walk down is well worth the effort for the sweeping ocean and mountain views alone.
The bay is popular for snorkeling, diving, spearfishing and trek netting. The beach and some of the rock pools are good for swimming. It’s an awesome beach picnic spot but you need to be self sufficient and prepared to lug everything back up the hill. There are no amenities or lifeguards.
Beaches
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Simons Town (4.1 km from Millers Point) Boulders Beach, which is part of the Table Mountain National Park, is home to a sizeable colony of African penguins. These cute and comical birds waddle around quite unperturbed by the hordes of tourists who flock towards them. Huge boulders create sheltered little coves and the resident penguins often swim past for a look at the people.
Boulders is the most fabulous swimming beach in Cape Town. A swim in the calm, warm waters of Boulders Beach is always fun on a hot summer day but – you never know – you may just see a sleek black and white penguin swimming past. You can also do a fun paddling trip past the penguin hangout.
Of all Cape Town beaches, Boulders Beach is one of the most popular spots for kids and an absolute haven for toddlers. It’s safe, and you can relax without having to watch out for unpredictable waves while pipsqueak splashes around or totters after penguins. It is the most sheltered beach on the False Bay side when the South East wind blows.
Boulders Beach is a pay beach in season so remember to take your Wild Card if you have one.
Popular Attractions
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Simons Town (5.8 km from Millers Point) Jubilee Square, located in the central part of Simons Town, provides a myriad of activites for keen visitors.
You'll have a pick of restaurants and shops, with harbour views to boot. Saturdays you can browse the craft market in the main parking area.
Photo by Planetina, some right reserved.
Hiking Trail
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Simons Town (6.3 km from Millers Point) Experience the historical village of Simon’s Town since 1741 by doing the Historical Mile Walk. The walk captures the history from the days the Dutch East India Company declared Simon’s Town as the winter anchorage for their ships from 15 May to 15 August each year, to the Second British occupation of 1806, up to today.
The town itself still resembles the high street of 100 years ago due to strict zoning and historical conservation. See the preserved historic buildings, and visit the Simon’s Town and Naval museums. Enjoy the waterfront with its interesting coffee bars, restaurants and shops.
Beaches
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Simons Town (6.8 km from Millers Point) Long Beach is a lovely stretch of sand that can be spotted just as you drive into beautiful Simon's Town.
This is a popular beach for walking dogs, kayaking and diving courses. There is parking available, and it's also an easy walking distance from the train station.
Hiking Trail
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Simons Town (7 km from Millers Point) Take the footpath at the end of Barnard Street and proceed up the gentle slope. Once you round a sharp bend, you’ll be struck by the view of the deep ravine. The Admiral's Waterfall and pool is tucked away at the top. Plan to picnic here and spend time enjoying the fabulous views of Simon's Town harbour.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 km
Popular Attractions
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Scarborough (7.5 km from Millers Point) Red Rock Tribal is not your usual curio shop. Supporting and empowering local artists throughout southern Africa, Red Rock is a treasure trove of interesting and eclectic art. Their mantra is 'the world is full of waste, but not all of it is rubbish!'
Here you'll find innovative crafts that are humourous, clever as well as trendy
and sometimes carrying a social message. Red Rock Tribal are also specialists in old tribal artefacts that have been sourced from various African countries. Definitely worth a visit!
Shop hours are 9:30 - 5:30, 7 days a week.
www.redrocktribal.co.za
Hiking Trail
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Cape Point (7.7 km from Millers Point) Experience the essence of Cape Point on this wild, windswept route through beautiful fynbos.
Park at Olifantsbos, then head for the boom where a sign indicates the beginning of the circular trail. The trail starts with a short steep section before the route splits. It can be walked in either direction. Red Hartebeest are often seen on the reed flats.
Bird lovers will enjoy frequent sightings of sunbirds – Orange-breasted Sunbirds and Malachite Sunbirds. On reaching Sirkelsvlei, look out for terrapins sunning themselves on exposed rocks.
Alternative: Park your car in a parking bay on the right-hand side of the road just inside the entrance to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. You may want to leave a second car at Olifantsbos to save you walking back.
Duration: 3 hours return
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.5 km return
Popular Attractions
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Simons Town (8.1 km from Millers Point) Visit a sparkling, colourful Alladin's Cave with your little ones.
The Scratch Patch and Mineral World Gemstone shop is an awesome spot for young and old to relax while foraging for your own gemstones.
Visitors can purchase fabulous, affordable gifts at the shop in addition to their collected treasures.
Topstones is also worth a visit - see how rough stone is polished at the world's largest gemstone tumbling factory.
Beaches
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Glencairn (8.6 km from Millers Point) Glencairn Beach is a pretty beach situated on the False Bay side of the Peninsula. Popular with families and dog walkers, it is perfect for lazy strolls and sunbathing. Parking is right at the beach and access is easy but you will need to cross the Metro rail line.
Southern right whales can often be seen during their calving season and in summer great white sharks are occasionally spotted. Shark spotters keep watch during the summer months – keep an eye on their signal flags if you intend swimming. On the Western side is a shallow tidal pool that is great for small kids.
Hiking Trail
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Glencairn (9.9 km from Millers Point) A hike up Elsie's Peak is well worth the short, sharp effort for the breathtaking and expansive views of False Bay - a wonderful way to get your bearings.
The flora in October is stunning and you may be lucky enough to see a whale or two. Extend your hike and take one of the many well marked footpaths in this mountain range.
Hiking Trail
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Simons Town (9.9 km from Millers Point) The easiest way to get to Kleinplaas Dam is to take the right-hand turnoff just after Pine Haven coming from the direction of Simon’s Town. The easy climb up to the reservoir is an old jeep track.
In spring the sandy slopes are covered with pretty proteas, pelargoniums, watsonias, Cape snow, butterfly lilies, lobelias and crassulas. The sweeping views are amazing, you can see all the way to Table Mountain. Take warm clothing, as it can get windy around the dam.
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2 km
Beaches
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Cape Point (10 km from Millers Point) Buffels Bay in Cape Point Nature Reserve is a very popular braai and picnic spot. Beautifully situated, the beach and tidal pool overlooks False Bay and you can’t get closer to the tip of Cape Point.
The reserve is open Monday to Sunday from 06:00 – 18:00 during summer and 07:00 – 17:00 in winter. Facilities include well-maintained ablutions and there is a vast section of lawn for picnicking.