Day Trip – Cape Town to Caledon via Hermanus
This stunning round trip is 300 kms and can be done in one day. If you wish to go to Gansbaai, an extra 86 kms, we suggest you overnight in Hermanus.
This road trip is really is one of the most scenic coastal drives in South Africa and well worth the effort. It is part of the Whale Route and features dramatic coast line, beaches, fynbos, a Jackass Penguin colony, whale watching, birding, shark cage diving, hikes, and then, just to round things off ….some superb wine estates.
Strand Beach, Stony Point Jackass Penguin Colony and Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
After taking the N2 out of Cape Town towards Somerset West, take the R44 off-ramp and turn right to the Strand. Turn right onto Beach Road and stop at the beach which has made the Strand a popular destination for visitors. Continue on Beach Road which will rejoin the R44 to Gordon’s Bay, which has a picturesque small harbour.
Continue on the R44 until just before Betty’s Bay and turn right at the signpost to Stony Point Penguin Colony. If you reach Betty’s Bay, you have gone too far!
This really is a must – one of only three breeding colonies of jackass penguins on mainland South Africa exists here.
Enjoy getting up close to these birds and get some pictures of their comical swagger to the water or the many nests that cover the area. The kids will really love this too!
Rejoin the R44 and not much further on you will see the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens (+27 (0)28 272 9311) on your left. You can have tea, lunch or pack your own picnic and walk around the cultivated fynbos gardens. Maybe take a hike on one of the nature trails – really beautiful.
Have your binoculars ready if you are a birdwatcher. With over 96 species recorded at Harold Porter, some specials include Verreaux’s Eagle, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Victorin’s Scrub-Warbler, Cape Siskin, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker, Cape Rock-Thrush, Ground Woodpecker and the rare Protea Seedeater.
Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and Onrus
Betty’s Bay is well known for its beautiful, lonely beach, which is backed by flower covered dunes in the spring.
The Kleinmond area is renowned for whale sightings during whale season (August to November). To reach the view sites, turn right onto 13th Street, and drive down to Beach Rd .
The picnic area at the lagoon wetland is also pretty. To get there, continue on Beach Rd and rejoin the R44, turn right, and the next turnoff to the right should be to the wetland park. The site supports over 163 bird species, at least 62 of which are water birds. The wetland regularly supports an average of 25,000 individual birds and on occasion it can hold over 40,000.
After Kleinmond, the R44 will merge with the R43 – turn right towards Hermanus.
You will pass the sign for Onrus, a small town on your right. The beach at Onrus is ideal for the family. Flanked by a lagoon it provides an ideal playground for children. The Onrus beach is also a favorite place for local surfers. The Milkwood Restaurant overlooks the beach and has been cited as the best seafood restaurant in Hermanus. Phone the area tourism office +27(0) 28 271 5657
Hermanus
Originally a fishing village, Hermanus is now a cosmopolitan town and a popular tourist destination. It is known for its “whale crier” who blows his kelp horn when a whale is spotted. Between July and October you can experience great land-based whale watching from the cliff tops, or the old harbor. In September, Hermanus hosts the Whale Festival.
- If you’re into adventure activities like canoeing, the Kleinrivier vlei is one of the best places in SA and is only 6kms outside Hermanus towards Gansbaai. Sea kayaking, sand boarding, paragliding, quad biking and guided fresh and salt water fly fishing trips – you’ll find plenty of opportunities to indulge in them here. Contact the Tourism office on +27(0) 28 312 2629
- Have fun on the famous Grotto Beach at the mouth of the Kleinrivier lagoon. Nearby, De Plaat is a well known fishing spot
- Take the Rotary Drive for spectacular views of Walker Bay – drive out of Hermanus towards the N2. Rotary drive is sign posted to the right
- Have a meal at Bientang’s Cave, a seafood restaurant that’s carved into a deep old cave that overlooks the Old Harbor. We recommend the bouillabaisse!
- Hermanus has the most comprehensive collection of internationally acclaimed white and red South African wines in the largest wine shop in South Africa. Found in the Wine Village on the corner of the R43 and R320 en route to the N2
- The nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve has about 50km of well-maintained hiking trails, surrounded by the beautiful coastal fynbos indigenous to the area. The area is considered one of the world’s richest floral kingdoms. This is also a good birding spot. If you visit Fernkloof in September you will experience a great wild flower show. To get there, take the R43 towards Gansbaai, turn left into Fir Ave, just past the Hermanus Golf Club
- The Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour in Westcliff all along the coastline to Grotto beach is 10-12km long and has made Hermanus famous for its land-based Whale watching potential. Accessible from many points along the route, it has benches at strategic points along the way to give hikers a rest or just to provide a place to sit and watch the whales or appreciate the beauty of Walker Bay
At this point, you return to the N2 on the R320 via Caledon.
The R320 passes through the fertile Hemel and Aarde Valley where you can stop at a number of well known vineyards – wine tasting with amazing views!
The terroir in this valley provides for some unique touches to these award-winning wines. The sea breezes, slopes and clay soil have helped wine-makers produce distinctive Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
The Bouchard Finlayson estate, Whalehaven Wines, Hamilton Russel Vineyards, Cape Bay and Sumaridge are all open to the public for wine tastings. We hope you find just the right wines to have sent or taken home!
Caledon has one of the best spring wild flower shows in SA which takes place in Victoria Hall in September. For more information call +27 (0) 28 214 1016
Stanford, De Kelders and Gansbaai
If you have the courage to get up close and personal with sharks then take a trip to Gansbaai. It will be best to overnight in Hermanus.
Shark cage diving in Gansbaai has become very popular. Even if you do not fancy a get-together with the sharks, you could take a boat trip to Dyer and Bird Islands.
En-route, visit the Shipwreck Museum in Stanford or whale watch while you drink tea at De Kelders, overlooking the bay.
Continue on the R44. There is a great tidal pool, perfect for the kids at Kleinbaai, which is a gem of a village, complete with scenic golf course and plenty of hikes. To get there: turn off right onto the R44 just before Gansbaai.
Gansbaai is known as the great white shark capital of the world; it’s attracted marine biologists, photographers and adrenalin junkies alike from all over the globe. Face your fear and go shark cage diving yourself or take a boat trip to Dyer and Bird Islands and see whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and other marine wonders.
Gansbaai also has water sport opportunities – from scuba diving to shore and boat angling. Call Gansbaai tourism at +27 (0) 28 384 1439
From Gansbaai, take the R326.
At Stanford, turn right onto the R326 and you will find some more surprises:
- Walk along or paddle down the Klein River at Stanford to the bird sanctuary with its more than 220 species of birds.
- Visit the Birkenhead brewery, the first brewing estate in the Southern hemisphere, and enjoy one of their many premium beers on tap at the pub. It’s situated just outside Stanford on the R326.
- The Klein River Cheese farm just outside Stanford on the R326 is perfect for a picnic outing – sit and enjoy your prepared deli picnic hamper on the banks of the Klein River, while the kids can play in the large playground area. For info, call them on +27 (0) 28 341 0693.
To head back to Cape Town, take the R326 towards the N2. When you meet the R316 you need to turn left towards Caledon and follow the signs to the N2 back to Cape Town. This route will take you across Sir Lowry’s Pass which is a spectacular way to return to Cape Town.