Self Drive Tours

1. Cape Town City Center, Cable Car to Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront.
(From Gordon's Bay by dual carriageway aprox. 30 minutes)

The famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront beneath Table Mountain

Cape Town's biggest tourist attraction is undoubtedly the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a shoppers' paradise with literally hundreds of, restaurants and shops. An added attraction is the internationally renowned IMAX movie theatre with a two storey high screen and the fascinating Two Oceans Aquarium, which offers visitors glimpses into the rich ecosystems of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, and ferries to Robben Island.

History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Castle, constructed by the Dutch colonialists in the18th century to defend the Cape. The lush Company Gardens, created in the mid-1600's as a source of fresh vegetables for passing ships, will be enjoyed by all.

No visit to Cape Town would be complete without a visit to the top of it's famous Table Mountain. The newly upgraded and rotating cable cars are without a doubt the most thrilling way to view what many regard to be the most beautiful city in the world.

2. Southern Peninsula, Muizenberg, Simonstown, Cape Point, Houtbay and Kirstenbosch.

Colourful bathing boxes on Muizenberg beach

From Gordon's Bay by dual carriageway, turning off at Baden Powell Drive via Strandfontein to Muizenberg with a protective promenade sheltering the beach and colourful bathing boxes. Visit Rhodes Cottage on Main Road towards St James a charming resort with beautiful residences and a large tidal pool surrounded by colourful bathing boxes. Next is Kalk Bay, meaning 'lime bay'. It is named after the kilns in which shells were burnt and is dominated by the fishing harbour with colourful fishing boats and locals.

Fish Hoek is surrounded by rugged mountains, with popular beaches. The village is a hive of activity with many retail shops.
Simon's Town is home to the South African Navy and dates back to founder Simon van der Stel.The town's naval atmosphere, protected architecture in the "historical mile" and history, is worth the visit. A Jackass penguin colony breeds at Boulders Beach.

Cape Point, the wind-scarred southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula, remains a popular destination. Enjoy the splendour of the nature reserve and the sheer sea cliffs surrounding it. Few scenic drives can match the variety and sheer beauty of the coastal routes to Cape Point.

Return via the seaside village of Kommetjie and due to construction works on the scenic Chapman's Peak Drive. follow Ou Kaapse Weg to Constantia Neck. From here your choice Kirstenbosch Gardens or the Republic of Houtbay and the Atlantic Seaboard.

The world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

3.The Wine lands of the Helderberg, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Wine consumption is a determining factor with regard to distance and duration.
To start-a short 10-minute drive from Gordon's Bay takes one to the heart of the Helderberg Wine Route with 20 participating Estates, which lies near the town of Somerset West and just a short distance from the equally renowned wine producing areas of Stellenbosch and Paarl.
The temperate climate of the Cape and ideal soil conditions combine with the winemakers art to produce wines that compete favourably with the best in the world.

Cooled by summer sea breezes, the vineyards on the slopes of the Helderberg share a mountain and maritime climate, producing wines with a distinct and unique character. The wines of this area have come into prominence over the past few years and received favourable attention from John Platter in his 1999 South African Wines publication.

Maps available at Gordon's Bay Tourist Centre and other Information Centres
in Stellenbosch and Paarl.

4.Four Passes: Sir Lowry's Pass, Viljoens Pass, Franschoek Pass and the Helshoogte Pass.

From Gordon's Bay the N2 takes you over Sir Lowry's Pass to Grabouw in the heart of the Elgin Valley, renowned for the production of apples,pears, plums and nectarines.

A short but spectacular route through state forest and nature reserve takes you over the Viljoen's Pass offering a great view of Threewaterskloof Dam.
The road skirts the edge of the dam for several kilometres before ascending the mountain road to reach the tortous Franschoek Pass. The many twists and turns provide a magnificent view at nearly every corner, but once reaching the summit the view is breathtaking. The fertile Franschoek Valley lies below, a patchwork land of vineyards and plantations. This valley was first populated by the French Huguenots in the 17th century and the famous town of Franschoek still bears many traces of its founders.

The fourth and final pass, Helshoogte Pass (Hell's Heights) lies at the western end of the Franschoek Valley and the road takes one past the quaint settlement of Pniel to the summit, where Stellenbosch and the wine lands unroll at your feet. A 20-minute drive takes one back to Gordon's Bay via Somerset West and The Strand beachfront.

While the entire route can be completed in around two hours, a few extra hours should be budgeted for visiting the towns along the route. Photographers should bring lots of film as there is much to photograph.

5.Hermanus and Overberg (Whale Route)

The coastal road from Gordon's Bay to Rooi Els, called Clarence Drive, is a spectacular scenic route along False Bay where one encounters the beautiful beach of Kogel Bay, as well as steep cliffs that offer great views of the mountains and the ocean, ideal for Whale spotting. An official Whale Watching Board has been placed en route with benches provided for eager spotters about one kilometre outside Gordon's Bay at the start of the official MTN Whale Route.

Between June and December each year hundreds of Southern Right Whales visit the sheltered, shallow bays of the Gordon's Bay coastline and False Bay to calve and nurture their offspring. This scenic route has 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.

Baboon troops can be encountered along this drive. Please be on the lookout and do not feed them as it is dangerous and against the law.

The sleepy coastal resorts of Rooi Els, Cape Hangklip, Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond with its natural harbour are attractive towns with unspoilt flora surroundings and well worth a visit.

Continuing along this road you skirt the villages of Fishershaven, Hawston,and Onrus taking the traveller to Hermanus, world-renowned for land based whale watching in the world.