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| Gordon's Bay | ||||||||
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Attractions
of the Western Cape and Helderberg Area
Where it's all on your doorstep. |
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Gordon's Bay - the central base for exploring the Western Cape. The picturesque village of Gordon's Bay at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range and Helderberg ("clear mountain") is central to the major attractions of the scenic Western Cape, such as the Wine lands (10 minutes), Airport (20 minutes), V&A waterfront (30 minutes), Table Mountain cable car (35 minutes),Cape Point (50 minutes), Hermanus via Whale route (50 minutes). Our village boasts two harbours for small craft and fishing vessels with an entertaining Old Village and Waterfront consisting of restaurants serving seafood's and crayfish in season, pubs and hotels. Comfortable and affordable accommodation at friendly Guest Houses and B&Bs. Gordon's Bay with its warm waters and safe beaches is the start of the MTN Whale Route with arguably the most scenic drives in the Western Cape via Kogel Bay to Rooi Els. Many a whale can be spotted from this route during calving season. |
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Gordon's
Bay enjoys a mild Mediterranean type of climate. Summer
is dry and hot, with cooling sea breezes.
February to April is early autumn with mild balmy
days and warm evenings, an ideal time for
visitors wishing to explore the Western Cape region. Winter is our green
season, but nevertheless has many mild sunny days. False Bay.
The island in the middle of False Bay is called Seal Island. It is a breeding spot of the Cape Fur-seal, and consequently a feeding area of many shark species, including the Great White shark. Several whale species frequent False Bay. Between June and December each year hundreds of Southern Right Whales visit the sheltered, shallow bays of the coastline to calve and nurture their offspring. The official Whale Route starts from Gordon's Bay, a scenic route with many safe areas where motorists can stop to view whales. Under certain surf conditions schools of dolphins swim close to shore to frolic in the waves. False Bay play host to numerous angling events, yachting regattas, pleasure cruises and water sport. Fishing in False Bay is excellent and rewarding. When the South-easter blows in summer the sea becomes known as "kob water" as it has done for hundreds of years for eager fisherman. Cape Salmon, Yellowtail, Snoek and Tuna are usually caught from boats and when the Snoek runs, everyone comes home with a good catch. Gordon's
Bay combines an international holiday resort
with the old-style charm of this coastal
town and is centrally situated and
within easy reach of most of the major
attractions of the scenic Western Cape.
Surrounded by the majestic Hottentots
Holland mountain range and Helderberg,
the warm waters of False Bay play host to
numerous angling events, yachting regattas, pleasure
cruises and water sports.
During summer the beachfront
and narrow streets of the Village comes
alive with the happy sounds of holidaymakers
enjoying the wonderful beaches, sunshine,
scenery, shops, restaurants and the products
of the wine lands. Gordon's Bay Old Harbour. A walk along the harbour
wall is sure to be rewarding as boats
and yachts sail in to moor
at the protected small craft marina of Gordon's
Bay Yacht Club. The wall flanks the beautiful Bikini
Beach. Fishing charters and pleasure
cruises aboard Nimbus
depart from the Old Harbour. The popular Harbour
Lights seafood restaurant is situated
in the harbour area. Lifeboat Tavern
specialises in breakfasts and light meals. Anchor
Tavern is another Pub with light meals and neighbour to Station
9 of the National Sea Rescue Institute.
Gordon's Bay Waterfront at Harbour Island. The new Gordon's Bay Waterfront Development at Harbour Island is an exciting entertainment area with many restaurants, pubs, entertainment and accommodation facilities available. Fishing charters and pleasure cruises aboard Nimbus depart from the Waterfront which has moorings for small craft and a slipway for launching of boats. Home to Gordon's Bay Boat Angling Club, host of the annual Broadbill competition. Bait and tackle available next to the slipway at Sea World. Tel. +27 (0) 21- 856-3468. |
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Views of the Harbour
Island Residential Complex and Waterfront entertainment areas with
private craft on their moorings.
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OTHER SITES AND PLACES OF INTEREST Cape Point. Milkwood trees. The White
milkwood, Sideroxylon inerme, grows in abundance between Main
beach and Sunset beach and other
individual sites in Gordon's
Bay. Adapted against harsh coastal winds, Milkwoods
can grow into large umbrella shaped trees or shrublike bushes depending on
local conditions. Penguin colony. At the Stoney
Point penguin colony a group of jackass penguins
breeds and thrives in a small marine reserve.
This colony is of special significance as jackass penguins rarely breed on
the mainland, preferring islands. S A Naval College. The S.A. Navy College based in the
Old Harbour of Gordon's
Bay is a training school for Naval Cadets and a restricted military
area, but visits to the unit can be arranged through the unit's PRO. Shipwrecks Colebrooke (1778)
Kogel Bay Sarpine (1691) Gordon's
Bay
The Steenbras dam and filtration plant is the main water source for the Cape Metropole with the catchment area in the mountainous areas of Grabouw and Elgin. The dam, built in 1921 covers an area of 380ha and can be accessed from Sir Lowry's Pass or from Gordon's Bay on the coastal road turning off for the filtration plant entrance. The scenic 4 kilometre road up the mountain offers magnificent views of the Helderberg basin and the Cape Peninsula as far as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Several walks and mountain biking trails around the dams as well as picnic and barbeque facilities, are available. Entry permits to be obtained at the filtration plant entrance.
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