Things to Do in Melkbosstrand

Big Bay is one of two Bloubergstrand beaches – the other is unsurprisingly called Little Bay (or Small Bay) – and is a favourite surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing spot, drawing international enthusiasts to annual competitions. Not only is it a great fun family beach, the long, flat sandy Big Bay Beach is perfect for sun tanning, walking, flying kites and just vegging out. If you can cope with ultra chilly water the swimming and bodysurfing is safe and fun. A rocky point divides the descriptively named Big Bay and Little Bay Beaches of Blouberg. There’s a plethora of shops and eateries along the beachfront road.Ever wondered which one of Cape Town Beaches is best for taking photos of Table Mountain and the sea? Well, Blouberg (Blue Mountain) is the spot from which the postcard images are taken. Don’t miss the awesome sunset views – watch the face of Table Mountain turn golden as the setting sun blazes across the Atlantic Ocean.

Bayside Mall Shopping Centre is your one stop shopping mall with free parking. Here you will be able to shop for all your requirements from groceries to fashion, movies to perfume, restaurants to jewellery - all under one roof. Bayside Mall's fashion offering includes most of South Africa's major retailers, as well as a number of quality speciality stores. Bayside Mall offers a large variety of eateries, including loads of coffee shops and restaurants. Ster-Kinekor, situated at the heart of the food court, offers 8 spacious cinemas and the latest sound technology.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, SANCCOB is a non-profit sea bird rehabilitation centre based in Cape Town. Their primary focus is to conserve and protect South Africa's sea birds, especially threatened species, for the benefit of present and future generations.SANCCOB rehabilitate ill, injured, oiled and orphaned sea birds on a daily basis, prepare for and manage the rehabilitation of sea birds during a major oil spill, raise awareness about conservation through environmental education and collaborate on research projects. SANCCOB has treated more than 83 000 sea birds throughout the last 37 years.Private groups may book an exclusive “behind the scenes” tour at SANCCOB. The tour includes a short video about the infamous Treasure oil spill and a tour of select areas of SANCCOB’s rehabilitation centre. Please note that some areas of the centre are restricted. Tours are 45 minutes in length. The maximum number of people per group is 8.

Milnerton Aquatic Club (MAC) is situated on the banks of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve with sweeping views of Table Mountain. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a haven for bird life and has a walking trail for people to enjoy the tranquillity of the outdoors.Because of the location, ideal wind and water conditions, MAC has become a very popular destination for overseas water sports enthusiasts who spend between 3 to 6 months of the year here.MAC has a membership of around 600 with three divisions, namely power, sailing and board sailing. A recent addition to the sailing section has been that of the Cape Radio Yacht Club and its members with their model remote controlled sailing boats who enjoy the perfect water conditions that MAC has to offer.Club members can enjoy the facilities of the club's galley and the "Wet Start" Bar which offers stunning views of the water and Table Mountain.When the sun goes down, members often enjoy the sunset while a braai and sundowners after a day on the water. MAC also has a large swimming pool, a toddler's pool, a small play park for its members.Whatever you choose to do, or not to do at MAC you can enjoy a fun filled carefree day exactly as you wish, whether it is on or off the water.

Situated only twenty minutes from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, the Westcoast Ostrich Show Ranch is a popular tourist destination offering informative tours with a high quality, great value leather and curio shops and an ostrich meat orientated restaurant. The business is family owned and run, with Gavin and his son, Pawel, on hand to greet visitors. The farm lies on the sea facing slopes of the Durbanville Hills, which offer magnificent views of Table Mountain and the Hottentots Holland Mountains, an area steeped in local history.History reveals that ostrich chicks were traded by the original Khoi inhabitants with the Dutch Settlers in 1652 and exported from Cape Town to Batavia (now Indonesia) in 1656. Ostriches were also exported to India and the Emperor of Japan in 1658.The first documented ostrich farm was established in the centre of Cape Town in 1679. The Westcoast Ostrich Ranch has pioneered the revival of ostrich farming in the shadow of Table Mountain (Hoerikwagga). Guided tours in English, Afrikaans, German and Frenchare on offer. The tour comprises a forty-five minute informative trail that includes a visit to the display room, the leather factory and the cactus garden. The tour travels through the ostrich breeding enclosures and it is not uncommon to see a newly hatched chick or to witness an egg being laid. The ranch has over 220 birds ranging from one day old chicks to 20 year old breeding couples.The ranch stocks a variety of ostrich species and other birds, which include, the Westcoast white ostrich, dwarf ostriches, black-neck ostriches, emus, rheas and peacocks. The highlight of the trail is the ostrich show, where each member of the tour has the opportunity to sit on a live ostrich, stand on an ostrich egg and feed an ostrich. Tea and coffee is included.

Killarney is a classic motor racetrack in Cape Town boasting magnificent views of Table Mountain. The course is ideal for novices but also presents a stern challenge for those willing to pin back their ears. Every facet of circuit racing is catered for, including motocross, karting, super motards, stock cars and drag racing. www.wpmc.co.za

The sugar-white sandy Sunset Beach is paradise for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. It also has fantastic views of Table Mountain, the city and Robben Island. Enjoy beach strolls as the sun sets across the ocean providing magical twilight skies.

The Paddocks Shopping Centre is perfectly positioned and just a short drive from Century City, Canal Walk and the Cape Town CBD and is positioned close to the upcoming and densely populated area of Royal Ascot.It is conveniently located on the West Coast for easy access and an enjoyable experience for all. The Paddocks Shopping Centre is characterised by its high shop fronts allowing for fantastic views of Table Bay, Table Mountain, the harbour and Robben Island.Some of the tenants include Woolworths, Super Spar, Standard Bank and a variety of fantastic restaurants including Bihari Indian Restaurant, The Dros Restaurant, Mugg 'n Bean and Cape Town Fish Market. The Paddocks Shopping Centre offers covered and uncovered free parking.Need to know? Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00, Saturday 09:00 - 16:00, Sundays and Public Holidays 10:00 - 14:00.

Conveniently situated in Canal Walk Century City, the MTN Sciencentre is one of the Mother City’s top edutainment spots and South Africa's first world-class interactive science centre. Kids young and old can have heaps of fun while learning about the mysteries of scientific discoveries and technological innovations. Over 280 exhibits are all interactive and many involve quite physical participation. There’s also a camera obscura, computer rooms, laboratories, an auditorium and exhibition hall. This is definitely an awesome spot to bring the whole family or leave the kids while shopping! The MTN Sciencentre's events programme is usually jam-packed and worth keeping your eyeballs on. 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy so all star gazers and aspirant astronomers will have loads of cosmic edutainment! A registered non-profit organization (031-701-NPO), all MTN Sciencentre entry fees directly support exhibits and educational programmes. Need to know? Opening times: Sunday to Thursday - 9am – 6pm, Friday & Saturday - 9am – 9pm. Open all public holidays except Christmas Day. Entrance fee: Under 3 - FREE, Youth (3-18) - R28, Adult - R22, Pensioners- R10, Poly Deal - R86 (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children) Additional Youth on Poly Deal - R24. Tickets are valid for the whole day and you can exit and re-enter as many times as you like on the day.

Uniting the world's most wanted brands with shopping convenience, leisure and superb entertainment and a magnificent setting, Canal Walk Shopping Centre attracts millions of visitors every year.Over 400 stores offer the hottest local and global brands and the widest selection of speciality stores in the southern hemisphere. Grandiose architecture, spacious interiors and a vast array of exclusive retail opportunities make it a very persuasive choice for lifestyle shopping experience.Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Grand Canal from the trendy outdoor terraces of Canal Walk's restaurants, cafés and coffee shops.After doing some serious shopping, guests can relax at one of the numerous eateries serving a wide range of delicacies. The Skywalk and Food Court also provide a good selection of speciality stores. La Piazza offers destination dining with superb views.Getting there is easy. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Cape Town’s City Centre and has direct access from the N1 highway. 6 500 parking bays provide secure parking, mostly undercover. Canal Walk is open daily from 09:00 – 21:00.

Ratanga Junction, the 'Wildest Place in Africa', opened in 1998 and has been enthralling visitors ever since. Located at Century City in Cape Town, Ratanga offers more than 30 attractions ranging from kiddie and family rides to thrill rides guaranteed to satisfy the most avid adrenaline junkies.One of the most challenging rides is “The Cobra”, a suspended looping coaster which catapults riders from a height of 32m along 780m of track at up to four times the force of gravity and at speeds of close to 100km per hour. Adding to the thrill of the ride is the suspension of riders beneath the track, feet flying free. The ride is not for the faint hearted.Then there is the Slingshot, an ultimate thrill ride. This skycoaster combines elements from skydiving and bungie-jumping. Flying three abreast, riders are strapped into a full body harness which supports them in a prone position. They are then hoisted 10 storeys into the air to the top of the tower with nothing between them and the ground. The flight suits are connected to flight cables and on pulling their own rip cord, riders plunge in a 30m free fall at 80 to 90 km/h towards the ground before swinging upwards in a 180 degree arc and then straight down again.The white-knuckle thrills and spills, of which there are many, are just one element offered by Ratanga Junction. The other attractions are designed to entertain children, families, and those who prefer to take their thrills in more manageable doses. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of live entertainment which changes from season to season and eat at one of the many eateries around the beautifully landscaped park. If you’re looking for a great place to spend the whole day with friends, colleagues or family this is the place to be! The ride park operates seasonally during Western Cape school holidays however the function facilities are open year round for groups of 60 or more.Ratanga Junction also offers a large and unique variety of opportunities for corporate team building, incentive functions and events. Private function venues are available to accommodate groups of between 60 to 250 people and banqueting for up to 750, catering for product launches, corporate functions and other special events for up to 1 100 people seated and up to 7 000 people standing. Ratanga can host almost any function you can dream of from 60 to 7 000 guests.

Sway your hips to great bands, live dance productions and storytelling or catch live action on the big screen. The V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre is one of Cape Town's hottest stages, hosting live music and other entertainment that's free to visitors. It's also a popular place for shopped out folk to grab some fresh air, rest weary feet and watch the bustling harbour activity.

The stunning location of Cape Town Stadium is just a stone's throw from the ocean with the mountains of Cape Town forming the backdrop for matches. The location couldn't be more ideal as it is a short walk from the transportation hub of the city. One of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, five first-round matches, one second-round match, one quarterfinal and one semifinal kicked off at Cape Town Stadium. A fundamental upgrade transformed the old Green Point Stadium into a multi-purpose sports facility situated between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Town's seaboard suburb of Green Point. Cape Town Stadium was completed at the end of 2009 and provides seating for 70 000 people. It features a retractable dome to shelter spectators and players should Cape Town's unpredictable winter weather become unfavourable.

Somewhere between comfort and sophistication; understated, with flair, something to discover & celebrate in style, the Alba Lounge is situated above the Hildebrand Restaurant. A much needed experience in the V & A Waterfront, the Alba Lounge is the up market cocktail lounge and provides a venue in which to relax, listen to the subtle music or indulge in conversation with friends. This venue has style, elegance and a relaxed atmosphere complete to suit any & all needs.

Green Point Lighthouse is an eye-catching landmark in Mouille Point with its bold red and white candy stripes. Dating back to 1824, it was the first solidly constructed lighthouse built on South Africa’s coastline. The original lanterns were equipped with single wick Argand lamps fueled by sperm whale oil. The weak rays could not be seen further than 6 sea miles. In 1865 the tower was extended to its present height and was electrified in 1929. The lantern was replaced with a 3rd order dioptic lens flashing light that can be seen for 25 nautical miles. Visitors can take a self-guided tour inside the tower.

“Today when I look at Robben Island, I see it as a celebration of the struggle and a symbol of the finest qualities of the human spirit, rather than as a monument to the brutal tyranny and oppression of apartheid. It is true that Robben Island was once a place of darkness, but out of that darkness has come a wonderful brightness, a light so powerful that it could not be hidden behind prison walls… ' Nelson MandelaThis famous little windswept island has captured hearts and minds around the globe in recent history. Situated just a few kilometers from the glitzy Waterfront, it was “home” to Nelson Mandela for almost 20 years. The intention to silence anti-apartheid leaders by imprisoning them on Robben Island had the opposite effect. Instead Robben Island came under the spotlight as a focal point for international resistance to the regime. Today it has become a symbol of freedom, the transformative power of forgiveness and a place of political pilgrimage. The entire six square kilometer island is now a UN World Heritage Site.In 1961 an austere maximum-security prison was built on Robben Island. It was here that Nelson Mandela was sent after receiving a life imprisonment sentence in 1963. Political and common-law prisoners were initially lodged together. Contact with the outside world was limited to receiving and sending two letters a year. Beatings, hard physical labour in the lime quarry, prolonged solitary confinement and insufficient food, bedding and clothing were endured for many years. Hunger strikes, legal action and international pressure eventually brought better conditions. The prison even became an informal university behind bars, with prisoners tutoring their warders. 1991 saw the release of the remaining political detainees and in 1996 the common-law prisoners were transferred to the mainland.Daily tours depart by ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront. The ferry trip takes 30 minutes to the tiny harbour. From there a bus ride takes one to historic places like the kramat, leper graveyard, a church designed by Sir Herbert Baker and the lime quarry where political prisoners endured lengthy hours of tough physical labour. Driving along the shipwreck strewn coast you can spot some antelope, plentiful seabirds and the lighthouse. The last stop is the maximum security prison.The guides are former inmates and will take you along the Footsteps of Mandela tour in the notorious B-section. Mandela’s sparse cell is open, the others locked and empty. The A-section houses the Cell Stories exhibition, evoking the meagerness of prison life. Former prisoners have loaned personal items including an amazing saxophone that works, crafted from found bits and pieces. Have a look at the interesting Smuggled Camera Exhibition in the communal cells. Prisoners managed to slip cameras onto the island in the late 1980s. The enlarged photos are heart warming, giving an indication of their solidarity, friendship and expectancy that it would soon be over. The entire trip lasts three and a half hours and costs around R150. Need to know? Ferries depart at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, weather permitting, from Nelson Mandela Gateway, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The standard tour to Robben Island is three and a half hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. For bookings: (0)21 413 4200. Robben Island MuseumTelephone: +27 (0)21 409 510Nelson Mandela GatewayTelephone: +27 (0)21 413 4200

The multipurpose Green Point Urban Park functions as an inner city “people’s recreation park” for relaxation, education and amusement – beckoning jaded urbanites to get outdoors and play. Energetic types can make use of the fitness park with cycling, outdoor training and gym facilities. Along with these exercising features, the venue includes a play park, an adventure park, learning park for functions and seminars, art exhibition and craft park, concert arena, outdoor markets and more. Areas for relaxation and enrichment include a biodiversity garden celebrating the region’s unique natural heritage and picnic spots. Well-behaved pooches on a leash are welcome in certain areas – make sure you take a poop scoop along. Water features and benches provide pleasant pit stops. Open seven days a week from 07:00 to 19:00.

Look no further if you're at the Waterfront on a mission to find an entertaining and educational spot to occupy children! Head straight for the Predator Tank exhibit and make sure your visit coincides with the action at shark feeding time when they get hand fed by divers. Large ragged-tooth sharks, nervous looking gamefish, rays and giant turtles glide past you in a seemingly endless procession. Gaze from a seat in the amphitheatre at the enormous picture window or get up close and personal with their toothy smiles in the curved plexi-glass tunnel.The Diversity Hall houses weird creepy crawlies like giant spider crabs, octopuses, exquisite but deadly firefish and delicate beasties like seahorses and box jellies.There's an activity centre with organised activities, touch exhibits specially for very young children and the Diving Animals display where Cape fur seals entertain with their playful antics.The Kelp Forest Tank is mesmerising. Drift away with the swaying dense thicket of giant seaweed whilst shoals of shimmering little fish flit about in the shafts of sunlight.There are loads more creatures and an amazing variety ranging from rainbow bright tropical fish found in the Indian Ocean to the more subtle silvery beauties residing in the Cape's cold Atlantic waters.If you have your diving ticket you could also scuba dive with sharks in the Predator Tank or amoungst the teeming fish in the Kelp Forest Tank.Check out amazing frogs at Beyond the Pond. This themed and highly interactive gallery was created to raise awareness of the plight of frogs, to inform visitors on what can be done to create frog-friendly environments and to raise funds for the Amphibian Ark www.amphibianark.org. Jump in to find out more about these quirky yet threatened creatures.Need to know?Open daily 9:30 – 18:00. Feeding times at Two Oceans Aquarium: I&J Predator Exhibit – 15:00 daily, Kelp Forest Exhibit: Wednesdays and Saturdays – 12:00, Penguins in the Sappi River Meander Exhibit – 11:30 & 14:30 daily.It is recommended to allow one to two hours to enjoy the diverse and magnificent displays. Wear comfortable shoes!

This lovely little boutique winery is situated just outside Durbanville. Personal attention is the motto of the tiny vineyard of Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo and Viognier on Kronendal smallholding. Magdaleen’s Rhône blend is named “Mirari”, Latin for "to wonder at" – in honour of passionate friends and family members who assist with each harvest. Westerdale Road, Durbanville, Cape Town Closed Sundays, call before visiting – Magdaleen Kroon 082 499 0198

Cape Town's luxurious nightclub and restaurant is situated a stone's throw from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Stadium and the City Centre. Haunt of the uber-trendy, it combines unrestrained opulence with a distinct, progressive and modern approach. Inspired by UK 'super clubs', a passion for good food and excellent service, no expense has been spared. State-of-the-art entertainment and a tip-top dining experience offers a hedonistic feast for the senses.