Green Point, Cape Town

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One of the best things to come out of the redevelopment of Green Point Common for the 2010 World Cup is this park and biodiversity garden. Streams fed by Table Mountain’s springs and rivers water the park, which has three imaginatively designed areas – People & Plants, Wetlands and Discovering Biodiversity – that, along with educational information boards, act as the best kind of outdoor museum. Guided tours of the park can be arranged through Cape Town Stadium.

As well as the many types of fynbos (literally ‘fine bush’ – primarily proteas, heaths and ericas) and other indigenous plants, you can see an example of the kind of structure that the Khoe-san used to live in, and spot beautifully made beaded animals, insects and birds among the flower beds. There’s plenty of space for picnics with brilliant views of the stadium, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head, and two kids’ play parks (one for toddlers and one for older kids).


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1. Putt-Putt Golf

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Get some putting practice in at this fun course on the promenade at Mouille Point. Note, it's closed if there's bad weather.

2. Blue Train Park

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A fixture of the Mouille Point seafront for generations and great for toddlers, this child-sized loco and carriages chugs around a creatively landscaped…

3. Kids Playground

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Next to Green Point Lighthouse, this is an imaginatively constructed playground with a giant ship-shaped climbing frame. Nearby are other family-friendly…

4. Three Anchor Bay

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This small, rocky beach has easy access from the promenade. It's from here that the bohemian poet Ingrid Jonker, considered the Sylvia Plath of South…

5. Green Point Lighthouse

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Often mistakenly called Mouille Point Lighthouse (the remains of which are in the grounds of the nearby Cape Town Hotel School), this red-and-white candy…

6. White Horses

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The running aground of the SS South African Seafarer in 1966 was the inspiration for Kevin Brand's White Horses. The ship's cargo included plastic white…

7. Rocklands Beach

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You can easily wade into the sea from this rocky beach at a kink in the Sea Point Promenade near the animal-themed Promenade Pets benches.

8. Promenade Pets

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Rest on one of these pieces of public art by Rocklands Beach; the seats of the benches are held up by pairs of blue seagulls, black sea lions and pink…