A Taste of Cape Town | Natural Wonders and Cultural Riches

Last month, many locals would have seen NBN’s Travel Guides visit Newcastle and surrounds and rate their trip (very highly).

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I don’t know about you – but it actually made me really proud to be a Novocastrian – and I also had quite a few “I didn’t know that” moments. It occurred to me that there weren’t too many places in the world with such a diverse range of things to do and see – wines, water, nature and culture – all in one place. And then I remembered Cape Town.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Cape Town several times over the years (one of the perks of marrying a South African!). South Africa's legislative capital, Cape Town offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and diverse cultural experiences. And Wine (OMG, the wine!) These are the places I go back to every time I visit!

Table Mountain

One of Cape Town's most recognisable landmarks (and the most photographed natural wonder in the world), Table Mountain, stands 1,086m above sea level. Visitors can ascend to the summit either by hiking or via a rotating cable car, which provides 360-degree views during the 5-minute journey (no guesses as to my preferred mode of transportation!). The cable car operates daily, weather permitting, with the first car ascending at 8am and the last car descending at sunset.

At the top, you’ll discover a network of walking paths covering approximately 2km with a flat summit that offers panoramic views of Cape Town, Table Bay, and the Cape Peninsula. The mountain's unique ecosystem supports over 1,460 species of fynbos, many of which are endemic to the area. Wildlife, such as rock hyraxes (Dassies), are commonly spotted. Fun fact – the Dassie is the African elephant's closest living relative, despite the size difference!

Boulders Beach

Located in Simon's Town, about 40km from Cape Town's city centre, Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African penguins. These endangered birds, also known as jackass penguins due to their donkey-like braying, have inhabited the area since 1982.

Many years ago, it was free to walk down to the beach and interact with the penguins (I still have pics of the kids atop a boulder with penguins). Now, to protect the penguins, visitors observe the area from wooden boardwalks that protect both the birds and their habitat. Thecolony consists of about 2,000 penguins, which can be seen year-round. The best viewing times are early morning or late afternoon when the penguins are most active.

Boulders Beach itself is comprised of inlets between granite boulders, which shield the area from wind and large waves. The odd Cape Fur Seal can be seen patrolling offshore, waiting for its next meal.

Franschhoek and the Wine Tram

Franschhoek, meaning "French Corner" in Afrikaans, is a town in the Cape Winelands region, about 75km from Cape Town. It's renowned for its scenery, Cape Dutch architecture, and world-class wineries.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-onhop-off tour that takes visitors through the Franschhoek Valley. The tram offers eight routes, each visiting between six and eight wine estates. The journey combines open-air tram rides with tram-bus segments and the occasional tractor!

Many of the wine estates on the route date back centuries, with some established in the late 1600s by French Huguenot settlers. Visitors can sample various wines, including South Africa's signature Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines.

Rock Hyrax (Dassie)

Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap, meaning "Above the Cape" in Afrikaans, is a historic neighbourhood located on the slopes of Signal Hill. Known for its brightly coloured houses and cobblestone streets, Bo-Kaap is one of the city's oldest residential areas (and the areas most photographed).

The district was formerly known as the Malay Quarter, reflecting its history as home to many Muslim descendants of slaves brought from Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries. The vibrant colours of the houses, which range from bright pink and orange to deep blue and green, were reportedly painted after the end of apartheid as expressions of freedom and individuality.

Bo-Kaap is also known for its Cape Malay cuisine, a fusion of South African, Indonesian, and Malaysian flavours. Key attractions include the Bo-Kaap Museum, housed in the oldest building in the area (dating back to the 1760s), and the Auwal Mosque, the first mosque established in South Africa. Visitors can explore the area on foot, taking in the picturesque streetscapes and sampling local delicacies like bobotie, a spiced minced meat dish, or koeksisters, a plaited doughnut in syrup.

V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is a mixed-use area around the Port of Cape Town. It attracts approximately 24 million visitors annually, making it one of Africa's most visited destinations.

The precinct covers 123 hectares and comprises residential and commercial properties, over 450 retail outlets, 80+ eateries, five museums, and 22 heritage sites. The working harbour adds to its charm, with fishing boats and luxury yachts sharing the waters. If you choose to take a trip out to Robbin Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated – this is where you will depart from and return to.

Allow a full day to experience everything the V&A offers, including the Two Oceans Aquarium, which showcases marine life from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans; The Cape Wheel, a 40m high observation wheel offering views of the city and Table Mountain; Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world and The Watershed - a craft and design market featuring over 150 local artisans where you are bound to find a myriad of locally produced treasures.

My favourite dining experience at the V&A (or anywhere in the world, to be honest) is undoubtedly Pier Restaurant. An experience in itself, the Chef's Menu is a nine-course combination of deliciousness and theatre, with every dish uniquely presented and many prepared at the table by your own dedicated waiter-come-sommelier. Don’t be fooled by the casual surroundings —this fine-dining restaurant is in a league of its own.

A wine list that is more like a ‘wine bible’ features an incredible array of local and international wines. If you’re short on time and won’t be visiting any of the nearby wine regions, you can taste your fill here from an impressive selection of South African wines, including some from nearby wine regions like Constantia, Franshoek, Robertson and Stellenbosch. A paired wine offering is also available, and a select number of wines are available by the glass.

Cape Town offers a diverse range of experiences that showcase the city's unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, culinary excellence, and cultural heritage, making Cape Town a multifaceted travel destination and one that you will want to return to time and time again. Put it on your bucket list!