To the Foot of Africa - 345km

Planners envisage the enlargement of the park to 20 000 ha, stretching from near Quoin Point in the west to Agulhas in the east, and including the Soetanysberg and associated wetland habitats. This will be done by purchasing key properties and acquiring state-owned land, and by managing part of the park on a contractual basis. Plans for the future include an environmental education centre, an upgraded museum and interpretive centre and a network of nature trails.

DE MOND NATURE RESERVE

The focal point of this reserve, which stretches for approximately 9 km along the coast between Struisbaai and Waenhuiskrans, is the mouth of the Heuningnes River. Covering 954 ha of shifting sand dunes, dune and limestone fynbos, salt marshes and tidal flats, the reserve offers good birding possibilities. It is one of only two known breeding sites of the endangered Damara tern (Sterna balaenerum) enjoying protection in South Africa.

The rare black oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), South Africa's second most threatened coastal bird, can also be seen here. Picnic facilities are provided, and visitors can explore the reserve along the 7-km-long Sterna Trail.

WAENHUISKRANS

...is named after the enormous cave carved by the sea into the cliffs near the village. Large enough to hold several ox wagons, the name is translated as 'coach-house cliff'. The popular seaside village is also widely known as Arniston after the British troopship Arniston, which ran aground in Marcus Bay on 30 May 1815, with the loss of 372 lives.

The picturesque village of Kassiesbaai is characterised by its thatched cottages with whitewashed walls and kitchen chimneys, which are typical of the fishing villages built along the Cape coast in the early 1900s. The entire village of 84 cottages has been declared a national monument.

BREDASDORP

...the centre of the surrounding wheat and sheep farming district, was established in 1838 by Michiel van Breda. The highlight for visitors is the Shipwreck Museum, which houses a fascinating display of figureheads, cannons, coins, porcelain, ships' bells and other artefacts recovered from the many vessels wrecked along the Overberg coast. The adjacent old coach house contains an interesting collection of Cape carts, a Scotch cart (a two-wheel tip cart drawn by horses or oxen), two horse-drawn hearses and an old fire engine.

The Old Parsonage is a typical strandveld house, and has been furnished with articles salvaged along the coast. The Audrey Blignault Room, at the tourism bureau, is dedicated to the Afrikaans author, who was born in Bredasdorp. The bureau also has an interesting display on the Foot of Africa Marathon, the continent's southernmost marathon. South of Bredasdorp, the 800-ha Heuningberg Nature Reserve provides protection to over 300 plant species, including eight of the 14 genera of the protea family, a rich diversity of ericas, buchu and geophytes.

Among the over 36 endemics to be seen are the Bredasdorp lily (Cyrtanthus guthrieae) and a pincushion(Leucospermum heterophyllum). There are many short walks, as well as two longer routes of 2,5 and 3 hours, respectively.

NAPIER

Lying at the foot of the Soetmuis and Bredasdorp hills, amid the rolling wheat and barley fields of the Overberg, Napier has retained an old-world charm. The town developed around the Dutch Reformed Church, built in 1838 after a dispute over where the church should be built. The dispute was not resolved, resulting in two churches: one in Napier, the other in Bredasdorp.

Napier's has a beautiful teak wood interior. The adjacent Feeshuis 150, one of the oldest buildings in the village, served as slave quarters and later as wine cellars in the 19th century. A number of artists have settled in Napier, and their studios and workshops can be visited by following the Napier Village Route.