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Click
below for Information
• Struisbaai
• Cape Agulhas
• The Southernmost Tip of Africa
• The Overberg Region
• General Information
• Route Planner
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Struisbaai |
Struisbaai,
renowned for its 14km stretch of pure white sandy beach, is a premier
holiday destination. Struisbaai offers safe bathing and a variety of watersports are particularly popular. |
The quaint little harbour, filled with busy fishing boats and quayside
anglers is a must-see. Pleasure and angling cruises depart from here.
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Fisherman's Cottages
The fishermen's cottages at Hotagterklip are National
Monuments. From here, the road hugs the coastline, and leads
you through the picturesque holiday village of Cape Agulhas to the southernmost
tip of the African continent.
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Cape Agulhas |
The
picturesque holiday village of Cape Agulhas is at the southernmost tip of Africa,
and the residents enjoy the distinction of being the Africans living closest
to the South Pole. It is also the point where the two mighty oceans, Indian
and Atlantic, meet. It
was named after Cabo da Agulha by early Portuguese navigators. |
The dramatic windswept coastline is also known as the "Graveyard
of Ships", as galeforce winds, ever-changing weather conditions,
high swells and the treacherous coastline have caused innumerable wrecks. |
The Cape Agulhas lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in the country
(1848), and is still in use. The light was lit for the first time on
1 March 1849. On a clear night the light can be seen for 30 sea miles.
Today it houses Africa's only lighthouse museum. The lighthouse was
150 years old on 1 March 1999. Those energetic enough to climb to the
top of the lighthouse tower, are rewarded with a close-up look at the giant Fresnel lantern and will enjoy the panoramic view of
the two meeting oceans. |
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The
Southernmost Tip of Africa |
The
southernmost tip of the African continent is at Cape Agulhas and not
at Cape Point as many people believe. The official position of the tip
is 34°49'58" south and 20°00'12" east and is found
approximately 1km west of the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. The tip's exact
location is marked by a simple yet dramatic cairn which was erected
in 1986. |
At
the end of the 15th century the early Portuguese seafarers christened
this tip "Cabo das Agulhas" which means "Cape of Needles" and refers to the needle of the compass which at this point shows
no real deviation between true north and magnetic north.
A truly magic and desolate place, where suddenly one begins to
understand the difficulties the early seafarers faced. |
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The Overberg
Region |
The
southernmost region of Africa is a subregion of the Overberg and stretches from Gansbaai in the west, through Buffeljags, Die Dam,
L'Agulhas, Struisbaai and Waenhuiskrans/Arniston up to the mouth of
the Breede River in the east. |
It includes the De Hoop nature and marine reserve. This undulating landscape, with the Riviersonderend and Langeberg mountain ranges as background, is known as the Ruens,
whereas the southern coastal region beyond the Bredasdorp-Napier mountain range, is known as the Strandveld. |
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| General
Information |
Access
routes
The main access route is the N2 national road from Cape Town in the
west (via Sir Lowry's Pass) and from Swellendam in the east. The coastal
road (R44) from Gordon's Bay at the foot of Sir Lowry's Pass, offers
and alternative access route from the west. This precipitous, winding
road takes on past Cape Hangklip and rewards one with splendid vistas
of False Bay and the impressive coastline between Rooiels and Kleinmond.
Various roads provide access to the Overberg from the north.
Climate
The Overberg enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Winter, the rainy
season, nonetheless has many sunny days and is generally mild, with
high winds at times. Summer is dry and sunny, with the extreme heat
tempered by sea breezes in the coastal areas. Early autumn (March-April)
is idyllic, with balmy days and warm evenings to relax on the beach. |
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Route
Planner |
Distances
or Route Planner
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Bredasdorp |
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Struisbaai |
32 |
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L'Agulhas |
6 |
38 |
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Elim |
46 |
40 |
33 |
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Waenhuiskrans |
57 |
50 |
44 |
24 |
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De
Hoop |
73 |
82 |
87 |
81 |
49 |
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Cape
Town |
279 |
217 |
180 |
231 |
225 |
193 |
Mossel
Bay |
380 |
200 |
254 |
263 |
268 |
262 |
230 |
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