Cape Point
Cape Point, the southern most tip of Cape Town
, where the cold Atlantic Ocean and the Warm Indian Ocean are said to meet, with its rocky cliffs and fynbos covered plains, makes for a fantastic day out for any visitor to Cape Town.While many still choose to climb the steep road and stairs that lead to the view point at the top, others choose to take the environmentally friendly funicular, the only one of its kind operating in the world. The first means of transport to the top, which houses a lighthouse at the 238 meter high look out point, was a diesel bus named the Flying Dutchman' after the local myth of the ghost ship that sails the Cape seas.
The new lighthouse at Cape Point is the most powerful on the South African coast with a range of 63 kilometers and flashes three times every thirty seconds. Every flash is the equivalent of 10 million candlepower.
The Global Atmosphere Watch is found at Cap Point, where research stations monitor long-term changes in climate. Cape Point is the optimum location to conduct such research as the air is particularly pure, providing insights into phenomena such as stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change.
The plains at Cape Point are home to 1200 species of indigenous plants, which forms part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site, the smallest yet richest floral kingdom in the world. Visitors may also possibly spot some of the various small inhabitants, such as antelopes, ostriches and zebras and particularly, the mischievous baboons.
The Cape Point Nature Reserve is roughly a 20 minute drive from the Atlantic Seaboard, where many visitors rent there holiday accommodation in Cape Town. For those renting their Cape Town accommodation in Constantia or Hout Bay, the drive to Cape Point would take a mere 15 minutes and for those who staying in Simonstown Cape Town accommodation, a quick 10 minute drive.
Cape Point
By: Carlynne