Newlands | Accommodation | Guest House | Cape Town

Abbadale is centrally situated in Newlands

Direct routes to Cape Town's attractions radiate out from Abbadale. Claremont offers one of the biggest shopping malls in South Africa, nearby Rondebosch has a wide variety of shops, some for student needs, and tourist attractions vary from Rhodes Memorial on Devil's Peak to Kirstenbosch Gardens with Sunset Concerts on Sundays to driveable venues such as the V and A Waterfront and Gateway to Robben Island, the Cablecar Station and Boulders Beach at Simon's Town on the False Bay coast.

Claremont Shopping Centre
Busy Claremont houses Cavendish Square with upmarket shops, cinemas and restaurants, including Exclusive Books, a large Woolworths, Stuttafords, Markhams, Triggs Jewellers and Cape Union Mart. A Banking Hall has most popular banks. Abbadale is the ideal spot from which to launch into these activities, and to eat out at restaurants such as Barristers, De Wijnhuis or the Garden Court at the Vineyard Hotel. Family-orientated restaurants include the Spur, Da Vinci's Pizza Parlour and Brad's Grill.

Penguins at Boulders Beach
Nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent wind sheltered, safe beaches. This endangered bird can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected natural environment. The colony started from just two breeding pairs in 1982, and it now numbers about 3000.

Kirstenbosch
The world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens show the beauty and diversity of Cape flora, set against the majestic eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The Gardens date from 1913. The Dell is the focus of a popular walk and site of Bird’s Bath in the shape of a bird, surrounded by cycads. In 2008, the Kirstenbosch exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show won a gold medal for the most creative display.

There are two shops, a restaurant, tearoom and self-service area. In summer, sunset concerts are held in the Gardens on Sunday evenings. Kirstenbosch is open every day of the year.

Visit Robben Island
Robben Island is separated from the Mainland by 9 kms of sea. The Dutch word for seals is robben, and there are plenty of seals and penguins around the island. From the 16th century, people have been banished there: Khoikhoi accused of petty theft, chiefs who opposed British imperialism (such as Langalibalele from the Drakensberg region), lunatics, convicts and lepers. Some of these worked the limestone quarry. In 1841 an Anglican church was built, and a second one was built by lepers in 1895 to the design of Sir Herbert Baker. Many Victorian buildings can be seen there today. In 1960 Robben Island became a High Security Prison. Famous prisoners were Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Jacob Zuma and Neville Alexander. In 1996 the island became a museum. Tourists can travel there by boat from the Waterfront; usually, booking is essential.

Boat trips from Hout Bay
On the Atlantic coast is the village of Hout Bay with a very active fishing harbour from which boat trips may be taken to Seal Island where Cape Seals bask in the sun. On the same cruise, view the Oakburn, wrecked in 1906, overshadowed by the wreck of the crane ship, Boss. The Oakburn was a British cargo steamer of 3865 tons that was carrying a cargo of railway lines and equipment, glassware, sewing machines, musical instruments, oil and paper – from New York to Sydney. 2 lives were lost. A calm day is best for this scenic cruise with Chapman’s Peak Drive visible across the bay.