Extend your getaway into the vibrant Weskus with a West Coast Way self-drive road trip into South Africa’s mega wildflower paradise!
The West Coast Way has five, specially designed themed routes with something for absolutely everyone of all ages, making it the ideal, inclusive adventure experience. These are the Tractor Route, Berg Route, Foodie Route, Culture Route, and Wild Route.
And we’ve made it much easier and more convenient for you by selecting the best, most unique West Coast Way experiences for you to enjoy, the minute you leave Melkbosstrand.
Sound good? Then let’s get into the swing of things!
get your mermaid on with captivating dazzle & sparkle
Situated in Bloubergstrand, Studio 46 is an art, jewellery and handcrafted collectibles gallery, where you can view and purchase the most exquisite jewellery and art pieces before taking a short walk to the beach to live out your truest mermaid fantasy. Glass cabinets that are elegantly packed with jewellery made from beach glass and cuttlefish castings, and walls covered in locally created art pieces encompass every corner and nook of this gem of a studio. Open Monday to Saturday.
Pro-tip:
Select your art and jewellery, or request bespoke fine jewellery designs, at the start of your road trip, to collect upon your return journey, from master jeweller Hettie Wainwright at Studio 46.
live life in living colour!
Living Colour Darling is the ultimate entertainment space for foodies, families and fitness junkies. Situated on Wolwefontein Farm, this “outdoorsy lifestyle” driven attraction offers limitless hiking trails for kids and adults of all ages, as well as mountain biking routes.
Take some time to relax and appreciate the views, while sipping great coffee and enjoying scrumptious locally made dishes, for breakfast, lunch and in between.
Explore the hills of Darling during Living Colour’s monthly Family Fun Days, Full Moon Walks, and themed fun kids activity days. Open seven days a week.
Pro-tip:
From Living Colour, take a drive to Yzerfontein village. Known as the ‘Pearl of the West Coast’, you can enjoy unspoilt beaches, and craft gin and cheese tastings at Wright’s Gin Distillery and Tasting Room.
Bru, there’s nothing better than a cold brew on a road trip
Darling Brew is arguably the country’s leading craft brewery and is lauded for its range of beers, with something for every palate. It’s also Africa’s first carbon-neutral brewery and has now been brewing for over ten years.
Pop into Darling Brewery in Darling (of course)! Do the beer tasting experience and brewery tour, and ask about the sustainability story behind each. Make sure to try the original Slow Beer, Bone Crusher and Rogue Pony.
The restaurant has an exciting pub-style menu, where the Darling Crisps nachos and the charcuterie platter selection, are local favourites.
Pro-tip:
Visit the Darling Wildflower Show and Plant Fair from 16 to 17 September, hosted at Darling Museum.
Open seven days a week.
Stop and smell the Rosé at Groote Post
As they say, “Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”
Situated on the Darling Hills, Groote posts are a historic 18th-century wine farm and home to an extensive list of wines, including its much-famed Pinot Noir Rosé, Old Man’s Blend Red and White, and Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc.
Groote Post is filled with flowers and birds during August and September and offers farm safaris (pre-booking is essential). The cellar door is open seven days a week.
From Groote Post, visitors can explore Darling’s Renosterveld Reserve, Tienie Versfeld Wild Flower Reserve and Waylands Wildflower Reserve for some of the most unique flower displays.
Pro-tip:
Carefully walk between greenery to spot the delicate, colourful flowers. Visit the annual Darling Wildflower Show and Plant Fair from 16 to 17 September, hosted at Darling Museum.
Discover the valley of happy
Riebeek Valley is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and literally engulfed in spectacular scenery. So visit Riebeek West, Hermon, Riebeeksrivier and Riebeek Kasteel, all situated within this serene and inviting happy place.
Be sure to plan your weekend away in Riebeek Valley to experience the First Friday Weekends, live music, theatre, poetry, fine art, and of course, olive tastings, olive dishes and olive oils that the Swartland is famous for!
The Tourism Office is also a Made in Riebeek artist and artisan gallery, where you not only get all the best travel tips, but also the opportunity to take home a part of Riebeek Valley’s rich artistic heritage. Riebeek Valley is a short drive from other interesting small towns, such as Koringberg and Darling. Open seven days a week.
It’s simply the best of the bush
Stopover at Thali Thali Game Lodge in Langebaan for a day or stay longer in this fynbos nature reserve. Experience expertly guided West Coast game drives for face-to-face encounters with bountiful wildlife, birdlife, and plant species. Road tripping is hungry work! Thali Thali’s restaurant is famous for its Weskus flavours (and portions) and welcoming smiles. Kick back in 3-star rustic West Coast style accommodation, which includes B&B glamping tents, a huge farmhouse and self-catering chalets.
Thali Thali is open seven days a week and day-visitors are welcome.
still haven’t enjoyed a bite of fish biltong?
Then it’s time to pop into Bokkomlaan in Velddrif for some bokkoms, a salted, dried mullet, and quintessential West Coast delicacy.
Bokkomlaan is a historic road that runs along the banks of the Berg River – where time stands still.
In addition to munching on bokkoms, you can also dine out at Ek en Djy Vissery restaurant, take a birdwatching boat ride with Cracklin’ Rosie River Cruises and visit Columbine Co. for a perfectly hand-roasted cup of coffee – all essential local activities to enjoy to ensure you get the complete Bokkomlaan experience!
GETTING BACK DOWN TO EARTH
Become one with nature with an off-the-grid getaway at the historic and serene fisherman’s village and private beach, Wamakersvlei
The Wamakersvlei Beach Farm is nothing short of a dream destination for photographers, offering 360-degree ocean views and plentiful wildlife and flowers, between Dwarskersbos and Rocherpan Nature Reserve.
Guests explore the farm on mountain bikes, lovely long walks, or designated 4X4 trails.
Five cottages are available for accommodation, each beautifully restored and located on the beach, but far enough from each other for private tranquillity. By appointment only.
GET IT ALL – AND THEN SOME
Where do we start? Vensterklip in Elands Bay is one of the most all-fulfilling spots on the Cape West Coast and is also the coastal start of the Cederberg. It offers great bird watching, horse riding, hiking, fishing, surfing, rock art and wild flowers. This historic working farm is located on Verlorenvlei, one of the largest natural wetlands in the Cape West Coast, with amazing views.
The Vensterklip Restaurant perfectly complements the area’s colourful offerings with a flavour fusion menu of traditional “Weskus kos” and Mexican cuisine. The Rooistoor Farmstall offers quick road trip treats and great pantry gifts to take home.
Need a stopover to recharge? Vensterklip has numerous guesthouses and camping spots, for comfy accommodation. Open seven days a week.
A DIAMOND IS FOREVER
Lambert’s Bay is undeniably the ‘Diamond of the West Coast’ and has been for many years. Exploring this historic fishing town is an enlightening experience of the dramatic life at sea. From snoek, to flowers and award-winning Kookfontein Sauvignon Blanc, there is always something to taste, see and savour.
For an educational and historical experience of the town, the Sandveld Museum offers a step back into the early years of Lambert’s Bay, with exhibits of photographs, books, archaeology, farming equipment and local life.
Escape the busy city life and reboot with West Coast Wonders Farm Stays at Steenbokfontein Seeplaas, Weskus Quarry, Weskus Hokkie, and Weskus Grotjie. Connect with nature on the labyrinth and follow the first footsteps of the bushmen of South Africa. Open seven days a week.
