Milnerton, Cape Town
Encyclopedia
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
situated on the Atlantic Ocean 11 kilometres to the north of Cape Town city's centre.
The Milnerton area of Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
includes Cambridge Estate, Century City, Du Noon, Joe Slovo Park, Lagoon Beach, Milnerton Ridge, Royal Ascot, Sanddrift, Tygerhof and Woodbridge Island.
Milnerton lagoon
One of the most identifiable features of Milnerton is its lagoon, formed where the Diep River enters the sea, with palm trees adorning the lagoon banks. The lagoon is used by canoeists from the Milnerton Canoe Club, which is the oldest Canoe Club in the Province. The club runs Time Trials every Wednesday evenings during the Winter months. Paddlers have paddled down the Diep River to the sea from as far up stream as MalmesburyMalmesbury, Western Cape
Malmesbury is a town with 37,529 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa, about 65 km north of Cape Town.The town is the largest in the Swartland due to the dark "Renosterbos" , an indigenous plant that turns black in the warm, dry summers...
. The lagoon also boasts extensive bird life.
Woodbridge Island
Two bridges join Woodbridge Island to the mainland of Milnerton proper. The wooden bridge (after which the island is named) is now a national heritage site and, although was once used for general traffic, is now restricted to all forms of traffic including pedestrians. A local school has changed its name from Zonnekus Primary to Woodbridge Primary in honour of the landmark. A newer bridge allows cars to cross to the island. The Milnerton lighthouse is also a popular landmark found on the island.Milnerton beach
Milnerton's beach is well known for its views of Table MountainTable Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
and is a popular spot for walkers and surfers. The wave size varies from small to large and tends to barrel, with the best waves occurring when there is a South-Easter blowing. The water is generally cold, the result of the Benguela current
Benguela Current
The Benguela Current is the broad, northward flowing ocean current that forms the eastern portion of the South Atlantic Ocean gyre. The current extends from roughly Cape Point in the south, to the position of the Angola-Benguela Front in the north, at around 16°S. The current is driven by the...
that flows along Africa's western shore. The beach is a favorite for water sports - including the very popular weekly Wednesday evening Downwind Dash Surf Ski And SUP race during Summer from Milnerton to Blouberg
Bloubergstrand, Cape Town
Bloubergstrand is in the locality of Cape Town along the shores of Table Bay, about 25 km to the north of Cape Town city centre. Its name Bloubergstrand in Afrikaans literally means "blue mountain beach" derived from Blaauwberg, a nearby mountain. Bloubergstrand is mainly residential and attracts...
beach.
Nature reserves
Milnerton is the location of two nature reserves which are owned and managed by the City of Cape TownCity of Cape Town
The City of Cape Town is the metropolitan municipality which governs the city of Cape Town, South Africa and its suburbs and exurbs. As of 2007, it had a population of 3,497,097....
. The Rietvlei Wetland Reserve
Rietvlei Wetland Reserve
- Location :The Rietvlei Wetland Reserve is a 663 hectare nature reserve situated in Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa. It is managed by the City of Cape Town's Environmental Resource Management Department...
, which includes the Milnerton Lagoon, is situated between Milnerton Ridge, Table View, Dolphin Beach, Sunset Beach, and Woodbridge Island. The Milnerton Racecourse Nature Reserve
Milnerton Racecourse Nature Reserve
- Location :The Milnerton Racecourse Nature Reserve, formerly also known as Royal Ascot Conservation Area, is situated in Royal Ascot, Cape Town, South Africa...
is situated inside the race tracks of the old Milnerton Racecourse
Milnerton Racecourse
Milnerton Racecourse is located in Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa and is owned and managed by Gold Circle. Though the racecourse is not used for races anymore, it is still used for the training and stabling of racing horses. Much of Gold Circle's land around the race track was sold for the...
, which is now the Royal Ascot residential precinct.