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West Coast |
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| Eco
Holidays |
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| West
Coast |
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| Background |
To many the West Coast
is flowers, and an end to it, the fabled magic carpet
that bloom wildly in spring and then close slowly their
bright lashes and are gone. To others, the West Coast
is mountains, and they will hear of nothing else, gothic
mountains and moons and long walks with a stick. But
to most, the West Coast is, well, the coast, and you
would have to be cold fish not to see it. And yet, as
varied and grand as these legacies are, they are of
small consequence alongside the foot- print left in
the sands of Langebaan 117 000 years ago. Many think
of it as Eve's. |
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| Yzerfontein
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Unspoilt beaches,
and excellent whale vantage points, hiking trails and
bird-watching. |
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| Langebaan
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One of the oldest
towns on the West Coast situated on the beautiful Langebaan
Lagoon, and renowned for its displays of spring wildflowers.
Attractions:
West Coast National Park, canoeing, kayaking, fishing,
windsurfing, cycling, bird watching and an archaeological
site.
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| Saldanha
(including Jacobsbaai) |
Situated on the largest
natural bay in South Africa, the town's industries include
fishing, mussels, oysters and other seafoods.
Attractions:
Four hiking trails on the SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve,
beautiful flowers, game viewing, kayaking and boating.
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| Vredenburg
(including Paternoster and St Helena Bay) |
Attractions:
Columbine Nature Reserve, West Coast Fossil Park, Paternoster
and St Helena Bay fishing villages, birding and kayaking
at Paternoster.
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| Velddrif
(including Port Owen, Laaiplek and Dwarskersbos)
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A birder's paradise
with lovely beaches and good whale-watching in season.
Attractions:
Berg River (canoeing), whale watching, spring flowers
and a 4x4 trail. |
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| Hopefield
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Hopefield has
lovely displays of spring flowers and there are fossil
deposits 15 km west of the town on the farm Elandsfontein.
Attractions:
Fossil display at the Tourism Bureau, fynbos show the
last weekend in August, walking and hiking trails.
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| Redelinghuys
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In the upper reaches
of Verlorenvlei, Redelinghuys is renowned for its rich
bird life, hiking trails and 12 km 4x4 trail. Redelinghuys
Information Point Voortrekker Street, |
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| Lambert's
Bay |
Enjoy Bird Island,
the world's only gannet breeding colony accessible on
foot.
Attractions:
Birds, whale watching, surfing 8 km south of town, sailing,
boat-based dolphin watching, a dune hiking trail and
4x4 trails with game viewing. |
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| Ebenaezer
and Papendorp |
These small settlements
overlook the Olifants River estuary. The wetlands of
the estuary, with future recognition as a RAMSAR site,
are an important habitat for migratory birds. |
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| Vredendal
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The only town
in South Africa with the official Peace Stamp celebrating
the International Year of Peace, inspired by the millennium
peace effort of UNESCO. 11 Voortrekker Street, Vredendal,
8160 Tel/fax: (027) 213 3678 |
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| Darling
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A seasonal kaleidoscope of wheat fields,
vineyards, wildflowers and lush green hills.
Attractions:
Wildflower and orchid shows in September. There are five
private wild flower reserves. |
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| Riebeek
West |
Just 4 km from
Riebeek Kasteel, this town is the birthplace of two
major political figures from South Africa's past -General
Ian Smuts and Dr DF Malan.
Attractions:
Hiking trails on Riebeek Mountain, mountain bike trails,
freshwater angling on the Berg River, rock art.
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| Riebeek
Kasteel |
Situated on
the slopes of the Kasteelberg (Castle Mountain), a 946
m-high solitary rock of Table Mountain sandstone, among
the wheat fields and vineyards of the Swartland.
Attractions:
Hiking and mountain-bike trails, angling on the Berg
River. |
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| Moorreesburg
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This N7 town
is known as the breadbasket of the Western Cape.
Attractions:
Camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, and 4x4 routes on
the banks of the Berg River.
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| Piketberg
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| At the foot of the Piketberg mountains,
Piketberg is 125 km.north of Cape Town on the N7. It has
walking and hiking trails as well as a 12-km obstacle4x4
route. |
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| Porterville
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On the west side of the majestic Groot
Winterhoek mountains this town is known for its vineyards
and wheat fields.
Attractions:
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, paragliding and hang-gliding
from the Dasklip Pass, mountain biking, hiking, annual
flower show, abseiling at Beverlac. |
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| Citrusdal
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Aptly referred to as the "Gateway
to the Cederberg and Namaqualand", it is situated
in the Upper Olifants River Valley.
Attractions:
The Baths -natural hotsprings, Cederberg Wilderness Area,
sky- diving, mountain-biking and rock art. |
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| Clanwilliam
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In the heart of the Rooibos tea area and
at the foot of the Cederberg mountains.
Attractions:
Cederberg Wilderness Area, Clanwilliam Dam Resort, Ramskop
Nature Reserve, annual wildflower show, winter White-water
rafting and rock art. |
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| Vanrhynsdorp
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Explore the
beautiful Matzikamma moun- tains and the Gifberg Hiking
Trail, with fynbos and rare Knersvlakte succulents.
Attractions:
Nursery featuring rare succulents of the arid Knersvlakte.
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