Things to Do in Pringle Bay

The incredibly scenic Harold Porter Botanical Garden is situated between the coast and the mountainside. The garden is renowned for its waterfalls, amber pools, deep gorges and abundant birdlife. Deep in the heart of the fynbos region, it is one of the best places to explore coastal fynbos. And its vast – there are 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos as well as 190 hectares of natural fynbos! Keen hikers should lace up their boots and hit the Leopard Kloof Trail. The 3 km round trip leads through fern forests and up to a waterfall. You’ll need to get a permit and pay a key deposit. Need to know? Opens at 08:00, closes at 16:30 on weekdays and at 17:00 on weekends and public holidays. The parking area closes at 18:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer. Keen gardeners can purchase plants from the indigenous plant nursery.

Situated on the Whale Coast in the little coastal village of Gordon's Bay, the family friendly Bikini Beach is one of Cape Town's six Blue Flag Beaches, indicating a high level of water quality, facilities, cleanliness and safety. Along the False Bay coastline there are four Blue Flag Beaches, these are Mnandi Beach, Muizenberg Beach, Standfontein Beach, and of course Bikini Beach at Gordon's Bay right out on the easternmost side of False Bay. Bikini Beach is an excellent swimming beach as the water is usually warm, calm and clear. Named after the numerous bikini clad Stellies students (Stellenbosch University) who are regulars, this intimate little beach has its own particular charm. Surrounded by the craggy Hottentot's Holland mountain range on one side and the harbour breakwater on the other, Bikini Beach is a good option when the wind is howling. From Bikini Beach you have a never-ending view of the entire False Bay which curves in a huge arc from Gordon's Bay right round to Cape Point at its westernmost extremity. The shops are not far away and there are good changing room facilities. Also on the eastern shore of False Bay is Gordon's Bay Beach and Strand Beach, which are both great family beaches.

Harbour Road Village offers interesting shops including pottery, bric-a-brac, shabby chic furniture and clothing, restaurants and a view of the sea.

With its five kilometre long stretch of white sand, Strand Beach is a perfect family beach for swimming, sunbathing and a variety of marine sports. There’s even a tidal pool for anyone who is not brave enough to plunge into the mellow surf.And if its waves you’re after, there are a number of surf spots to suit every level of surfer. Wannabee surfers can grab a lesson or two in gentle waves with Stand Surf School - 083 232 4822.Although the beach is mostly sandy, there are two rock pools frequented by rock and surf anglers at low tide.The town of Strand lies right next to the beach with a plethora of beachy restaurants and drinking spots. Access to the beach is easy and parking is never a problem.

Walk through an original historic migrant labour hostel. The only preserved hostel in the Wesrtern Cape, Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum is a memorial to the system of migrant labour, single sex hostels and the control of black workers through the identity document which controlled the lives of black South Africans under apartheid - the infamous pass book.The museum reminds residents and visitors of the horrific living conditions that the migrant labour system imposed. Lwandle was established in 1958 with hostel type accommodation for workers in the nearby fruit and canning industry. These hostels were only intended for single men. Hostels provided very basic accommodation with four to six men occupying a small confined space, with an entire block sharing rudimentary ablution facilities. In the 1980s, as the control of the flow of people from rural areas was eased, these hostels became even more overcrowded. Facilities were not provided to sustain the increased population.With the onset of democracy in South Africa, the ANC led government turned the hostels of Lwandle into family type accommodation. Residents of the area felt that at least one hostel should be preserved to sustain a memory of how the system of apartheid had operated and decided to establish a museum. On Workers Day (1 May) 2000 the museum was officially opened by the poet and ex-Lwandle resident, Sandile Dikeni. The museum's exhibits commemorate the trials, tribulations and triumphs of migrant workers and hostel life in Southern Africa. Here you can learn more about the migrant labour system, walk through an original historic hostel, meet members of the community and view the whole township on a guided walk.

Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre is one of the most unique and awe inspiring settings for performances in the Overberg. A towering Eucalyptus forest circles the intimate 600 seater-arena which has been hewn from farm timber in its entirety. Performances are specifically chosen to match the natural acoustics of the venue.Pack a picnic basket, purchase estate wine and come enjoy an evening of entertainment with great stars, under the stars!Only 45 minutes drive from Cape Town International.Need to know? Blankets, cushions and warm jackets are recommended. Seats are unreserved on a first come, first served basis. Limited table bookings available at an additional cost. (For table bookings call 021 8440605).

Somerset Mall offers 204 stores and everything it takes to give families from Somerset West and as far afield as Mossel Bay a safe, fun-filled entertainment environment, alongside a superior browsing and shopping experience.

Morgenster Estate is a thriving olive and wine farm, producing Bordeaux-style wines and award-winning extra virgin olive oil and olive products. The vineyard specialises in four red wine cultivars and our forte is blending. More recently, this winery has also planted small quantities of Italian varieties Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Morgenster has a host of olive products from the olives themselves to extra virgin olive oil and olive pastes for sale. The olive farm was named "Mill of the Year 2007" – the highest credential for olive producers.

Officially part of the Helderberg Wine Route, Vergelegen is undeniably the best reason to visit the town of Somerset West. Not only are the Cape Dutch buildings national treasures, but the estate produces a range of South Africa's best wines.A notorious history precedes the grandiose estate, primarily built by Dutch East India Company slaves brought by the governor Simon van der Stel. Today the farm is owned by a subsidiary of the large mining company Anglo American, who restored the farmhouse to its original magnificence.Stroll through the massive grounds planted with chestnut and camphor trees. Beautiful ponds and streams make this one of the most tranquil places to picnic or chill out in. The interpretative centre provides an interesting overview of the history and environment of Vergelegen.Open daily 9:30am – 4pmLady Phillips Restaurant: 021 847 1346.

Host of the World Cup 1996 and South African Airways Open 2003 and 2004, Erinvale is considered one of the best residential golf courses in South Africa. Designed by legendary course designer and golfer Gary Player, the course features many of his distinctive immaculate challenges.Stunning views, well established shade trees and the substantial attention to maintenance of the fairways elevate this course to world-class standards.The first nine holes are on the low lying part of the estate and the second nine are on higher, rolling ground. The standard of the gorgeous shaped greens and beautifully consistent putting surfaces remains throughout.All in all Erinvale promises a superb experience when you play a round of 18 on this outstanding layout in the Winelands.

Lourensford Estate offers a lot more than just wine – you can embark on a unique sensory and tasting experience. Nibble delicious nougat, chomp truffles and over 40 different types of chocolates or eyeball, sniff and sip at the wine tasting and more. There’s also a world class cheesery, coffee roastery, charming River Garden Deli & Eatery as well as an art gallery. At Lourensford there’s something for every connoisseur.

Nestled in the pristine and tranquil Kogelberg Biosphere you will find one of the best kept secrets of the Cape Overberg. The Elgin Grabouw Country Club boasts spectacular views of the surrounding Hottentots Holland, Nuweberg and Groenland Mountains. Combined with the waterfront ambiance of the Eikenhof Dam and the extensive pine forests, this venue will leave you with an overwhelming sense of tranquillity and enchantment. The surrounding mountains are immensely popular with hikers, mountain bikers and nature lovers and the Country Club acts as the “gateway to the great outdoors” in that it is the ideal base for excursions into the surrounding mountains. Bring the whole family for a wonderful day out in the Overberg.

Tee off on one of the top golf courses in the Western Cape. Arabella is a classic parkland course with spectacular views across the Bot River Lagoon and the Kogelberg Mountain Range. It is also home to the annual Nelson Mandela Invitational Tournament. The Arabella Golf Course in South Africa is ranked by Compleat Golfer magazine as the number one golf course in the Western Cape. It is also featured in Golf Digest’s USA’s Top 60 courses outside of America in 2007. A round of golf here is truly an exceptional experience.

Initially a wild flower garden, the 407-hectare Helderberg Nature Reserve was proclaimed a reserve in 1960 to preserve an important enclave of Mesic Mountain Fynbos.Along with the incredible plant diversity, the reserve has a rich fauna. Visitors can experience bontebok grazing at any time of the day and some 169 species of birds have been recorded. Look out for three types of tortoise – the mountain tortoise, the angulate tortoise and the padloper.There are several lovely walking trails, of which only the Brown Route is non-circular. Facilities in the reserve include an information centre, plant herbarium, gift shop, indigenous nursery, resource centre, walking paths and benches, Oak Café restaurant, picnic area, facilities for the disabled and ablutions.

Ogle hundreds of sensual stone effigies made by Zimbabwe’s talented Shona artists. Art Creations Africa is one of southern Africa’s largest exhibitors and exporters of the famous “Hard Rock" stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. Regular exhibitions are held at top hotels, art galleries, wine estates and botanical gardens around the world. See the Art Creations Africa collection at their gallery in 43 Almond Drive, Helderberg Estate, Somerset West. Open Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30 and weekends by appointment only. + 27 (0) 21 855 0131 www.artcreationsafrica.com

Dramatically surrounded by sheer craggy cliffs, Diaz Beach is situated right at the tip of Cape Point on the western side. It deserves its reputation as one of the most scenically stunning Cape Town beaches. Access to this beach is down a series of wooden stairs and only takes about 20 minutes. The climb up can take twice as long; will probably leave you breathless and sweaty but it is well worth the effort. Standing on Diaz Beach gazing at the relentless waves battering the 200 metre cliffs, you will be moved by the sensation of adventure and awesome power of nature that radiates from this lovely place. On most occasions you'll have the beach to yourself, occasionally sharing it with troops of baboons and flocks of seabirds. Swimming on this beach can be dangerous. Diaz Beach can produce excellent waves with a North Westerly wind and the right swell direction. Surfers love it for its big, hollow, closeout barrels. Photographers love it for its awesome beauty and many moods. Couples love it for romantic beach walks.

Wine, food, art, culture, nature and conservation Spier is more than an innovative and iconic destination. It is a place of hope that delivers experiences that rejuvenate mind, body and soul. Visitors to the estate are given a sensory encounter – here you can see, smell, hear, feel and taste a variety of unexpected experiences.Situated in the heart of South Africa's Cape Winelands, Spier Wines produce award-winning wines that have won global recognition. Guests and visitors can experience the art of fine wine through tasting opportunities.Spier has long believed that the arts have a crucial role to play in the African Renaissance as art, in all its forms, has the power to transform societies. As such, Spier launched the Spier Arts Summer Season 11 years ago as a way to express their passion for the arts.A fine collection of African art is showcased throughout the estate. It draws guests into exploring the vibrancy, energy and life of the diverse heritage of the Cape and the African continent, embodying multiple cultures and traditions. Visitors can absorb the power of this collection with ease as they stroll around Spier.The fabric of Spier's rich history was created out of a journey that began in 1692 and has been embroidered for over three centuries. The original Manor House and slave bell, as well as the oldest dated wine cellar in South Africa, have been impeccably restored for future generations to stay in touch with the past.Take a stroll through the lovely estate. There are walks through the rose gardens at the back of Moyo, by the riverside, by the lakeside. There is an abundance of birdlife on the estate for bird watchers and the opportunity to roam around freely. Take a walk to the Africa Centre meeting spaces on the south bank, or visit their nursery where plants are propagated to landscape the gardens or check out the Adobe brick-making works.Need to know? Spier Wine Shop is open seven days a week from 09h00 to 17h00.Tastings between 10h00 and 16h30.

Founded in 1682, Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest working wine farms in South Africa. This gorgeous wine farm is situated 50 km from Cape Town and 4 km south of Stellenbosch on the R44 Stellenbosch Wine Route. Visitors are welcome to taste a variety of wines from their Vineyard, Cultivar and Landau selections ranging from Bordeaux blends, varietals to unique red dessert wines. Their flagship wines are the Zinfandel Trio – Red, White and Noble Late Harvest. Open Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00, Sunday 09:00 – 16:00.

Beautiful well-maintained and managed nature reserve approx 15km from Stellenbosch. A favourite for Stellenbosch residents and well worth the visit. Offers an amazing array of trails suitable for mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers. The trails will suit the novice to the most experienced athlete. Stunning waterfalls and rivers are easily accessible and make an ideal picnic excursion for the family. Cash required to pay for entry permit at the gate.

LovanE is one of the smallest wine estates near Stellenbosch, producing 20 000 bottles of wine per year. Situated in the picturesque Polkadraai Hills, its famous neighbours are Neethlingshof Wine Estate and Overgaauw Wine Estate. Vineyard plantings consist of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Their first wine was produced in 2006. Wine tasting times: Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00. Closed on Public Holidays.