Your FREE road trip plan because we’d love to have you stay and play on the West Coast Way!
The West Coast Way is South Africa’s road trip with the most twists. Follow any of our five specially-crafted themed routes to really get the most out of your visit to the Cape West Coast. We’ve put tips together on how to plan your road trip and where to go on the Cape West Coast.
The West Coast Way “basket” of routes includes the Tractor Route, Berg Route, Foodie Route, Culture Route, and Wild Route – all of which are designed to showcase the many places to explore:
PLAN YOUR ROAD TRIP
- Set a time and budget
- Get inspired by exploring westcoastway.co.za
- Check out our Road Trip Itineraries for places to visit
- Follow @WestCoastWaySA on facebook, twtter, instagam
- Plan out the start, the finish, and all of the places you will stay overnight
We’ve selected some of the highlights that are not to be passed by!
CULTURE ROUTE
The start of your West Coast Way road trip is Bloubergstrand. Start your road trip with a visit to Studio 46 – a fine art and jewellery gallery – in the historical Stadler Road of Blouberg Village. From here make your way to the fynbos trails of Lodge at Atlantic Beach in Melkbosstrand. This 4-star Lodge is the place to stay as you explore cultural attractions in the quirky town of Darling:
Evita se Perron
Darling’s pink pizzazz, has new owners: famed toffee-makers Hentie and Frits of Darling Sweet. Visit this transformed train station with heritage garden, Evita se Perron café, restaurant and gift shop filled with padkos favourites.
Darling Brew Tasteroom & Brewery
Take a slow drive to this celebrated microbrewery. Head Chef Ryan Josten offers a taste fusion of country kitchen paired with Darling Brew craft beers.
TRACTOR ROUTE
The West Coast Way Tractor Route connects Darling’s Groote Post to Riebeek Valley’s art and Yzerfontein’s beach.
Groote Post of the Darling Hills
This historic 18th century farm offer wine-tasting and sales from the cellar door, game drives and perfectly paired meals in the restored Cape Dutch homestead.
Riebeek Valley – Riebeek West, Riebeek Kasteel, Riebeeksrivier and Hermon
Explore the home to some of South Africa’s most famous painters and stay at the country’s oldest hotel, The Royal Hotel. Contact the Riebeek Valley Tourism Office to find out about their First Fridays festivities.
BERG ROUTE
Learn about the origins of a Cape West Coast staple known as bokkoms, explore Port Owen and Laaiplek harbour.
Bokkomlaan
“Bokkom Laan” is where the bokkoms, or Velddrif’s biltong, are made. Visit Ek & Djy Restaurant and Bar and hop on the Cracklin’ Rosie for a Berg River Cruise.
Wamakersvlei Beach Farm
This is the place to stay! Become one with nature at Wamakersvlei, a unique beach stay on a private beach with saltpans to explore.
FOODIE ROUTE
Thali Thali Game Lodge is a pristine game and fynbos reserve, located close to West Coast National Park and Langebaan Lagoon. You can either stay in the spacious farmhouse, chalets or luxury tents. Then go on:
- Daily game drives of abundant birdlife and wildlife.
- Try your hand at archery.
- Enjoy Weskus kos at Thali Thali restaurant.
- See Langebaan, Hopefield, the Fossil Park, Paternoster, Jacobs Bay, Saldanha Bay and St Helena Bay.
WILD ROUTE
Explore the Cederberg by following the Wild Route, from Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay’s coast to Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, Citrusdal and Clanwilliam.
Vensterklip Guest Farm
On Verlorenvlei in Elands Bay, stay in Vensterklip’s historical farmhouse accomodation or go camping. Enjoy the hospitality of the Tin Restaurant, International Bar and Red Shed Farmstall. Visit the San Caves.
Lamberts Bay
Lambert’s Bay, although small, has so much on offer: Bird Island, Muisbosskerm Restaurant, the Sandveld Museum, and the working harbour. Chat to the tourism office for accommodation.
Happy roadtripping!
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.