Elands Bay – Colour Dots

Eland’s Bay caravan park

carynkaleido — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 10:23:24 +0000

Eland’s Bay caravan park and campsite has 44 stands with well-maintained ablution facilities. The seaside resort is a paradise for surfers, seafood connoisseurs, and birdwatchers. Caves in the vicinity of the town have produced valuable archaeological finds from their different inhabitants, over time. 36 Main Street, Eland`s Bay Facilities include Ablution blocks with warm and cold water Shaded sites Washing machines and tumble dryers ( coin-operated self-help laundry) Washing lines and ironing facilities Cellphone reception Water points close to sites All sites are furnished with a 16-amp standard caravan plug. Swings for the children Access to the beach from the park

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Eland’s Bay Museum

carynkaleido — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:08:52 +0000

Eland’s Bay Museum is a great place where anyone interested in the history of early human behaviour can explore the exhibits. This museum recently installed a permanent exhibition/Interpretation Centre for the World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Human Culture. Scientifically known as “The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: It is one of the Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa”, the museum incorporates three sites, including the Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Pinnacle Point Site Complex and Sibhudu Cave. These sites show evidence of how modern human behaviour in Homo sapiens developed in South Africa from 167,000 years ago. It is best to contact the museum before you visit to ensure that it is open.

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Elands bay beach

carynkaleido — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 10:42:16 +0000

Elands Bay beach is a must-visit if you’re a keen surfer. The beach is locally known as (e-bay ) It’s such a great surf area as the waves are left breaking on an often semi-deserted beach. The Baboon Point cliffs are interesting too, and the Bobbejaanberg Cave features shell middens and rock art dating back hundreds of years Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide With a license to dive for crayfish, there are wonderful diving opportunities during the season. The town is small, and the locals are friendly. The beach at Elands Bay is also a great location for whale watching and fishing. The Point surf report Check the sea temperature here Check the tides here Best beaches in the Western Cape article

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Elands Bay Cave

carynkaleido — Tue, 10 May 2022 18:51:57 +0000

Elands Bay Cave is near the Verlorenvlei estuary. There is evidence that human hunter-gatherers have inhabited episodically since the Later Pleistocene age. Deep within the cave are beautifully preserved cave paintings by ancient San folk. Look out for the tiny handprints and also the portrayal of humans. Much in the way of archaeological remains from the area help us to learn about the people and the role of the landscape and the changing climate had on them. The climate has gradually become more arid since the Later Pleistocene which lasted from two and a half million years ago to roughly twelve thousand years ago. During this time there were several ice ages. The inhabitants of the cave were mostly pastoralists (Nomadic people who herded cattle) the animals herded will have included cattle, camels, goats, yaks, llamas, and sheep The inhabitants who stayed intermittently also exploited marine food. Elands Bay Cave was declared a provincial heritage site in 2009. The site was first occupied during the Middle Stone Age about 80 000 years ago, and intermittently during the Later Stone Age until possibly 500 years ago. Rock paintings include large images of eland that were regarded by the San as spiritual creatures, as well as images of smaller antelope and other animals. There are also many small handprints on the cave walls, some are believed to be those of children and young teenagers. The site is open to the public free of charge, but visitors are requested to stay on the demarcated path and not touch the rock art since this may cause irreversible damage to the paintings. To get to the cave drive past the crayfish factory then drive around the point until you pass three ruined WWII buildings and a gravel road. Drive as far as you can and then walk to the cave. 17° 44′ 20.4″, -32° 19′ 1.2″ s.

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Sishen Saldanha railway line and bridge

carynkaleido — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 14:55:49 +0000

Sishen Saldanha railway line and bridge The potential of a deep-sea harbour at Saldanha was recognised as early as 1907. It is the deepest and safest harbour and is South Africa’s largest natural anchorage. Saldanha Bay is partly protected by a 3.1 km-long artificial breakwater. When ISCOR began mining at Sishen in 1953 in the Northern Cape, it became necessary to build a railway line to transport large quantities of ore. Construction of the railway line began in 1973. The fully electrified line is 861 kilometres long and crosses a large part of the West Coast. Sishen Saldanha railway line and bridge The only tunnel near Elands Bay is the Bobbejaansberg Tunnel which is 840m long, The impressive Sishen Saldanha railway bridge over the Olifants River is worth a visit if you find yourself in the area. It was completed in 1975, the bridge is 1035m in length, supported by 22 pillars that each extend 45m into the riverbed. Record-breaking train On 26 August 1989, South Africa set the world record for the longest and heaviest train ever assembeled covered the distance. There were 660 fully loaded wagons of iron ore. The total length was about 7.2 km, and it weighed in at nearly 70 000 tonnes. The iron ore cargo alone weighed in at more than 68 000 tonnes. The train used nine electric locomotives and seven diesel-electric locomotives positioned along the length of the train, which had to be coordinated to distribute the pulling and braking forces. The line was specifically engineered for heavy haul operations. It was built with continuously welded rail lines on concrete sleepers. It was designed to accommodate very heavy axle loads. Long passing loops, steep gradients. A centralised traffic control system has enabled the movement of some of the world’s largest freight trains. Find out more about railways in the Western Cape Length of train – 7 303km Gross mass of the train – 71,210 tons No. of loaded trucks – 660 No. of locomotives – 9 electrical and 7 diesel Distance covered – 861km Maximum speed – 80km/h Average speed – 38,04km/h b It took 27 hours to complete the journey. Regular tours are arranged at the unloading point in Saldanha Bay harbour. Longitude 17º 58′ E and Latitude 33º shadrack.tshikalange@transnet.net. 022 703 5314

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Vensterklip Guest Farm

carynkaleido — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 15:14:51 +0000

Vensterklip guest farm offers blissful country breakaways in a 300-year-old barn restaurant, farmstead accommodation, and camping on the banks of the Verlorenvlei. On the wild West Coast of South Africa, just 220km north of Cape Town and 5km from Elands Bay, lies a historic World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty. A perfect spot for bird watching, horse riding, hiking, ﬁshing, surﬁng, rock art, wild ﬂowers – or just enjoying a wonderful piece of wilderness. Time stands still. Chill out in the outback of the West Coast. | info@.vensterklip.co.za

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Verlorenvlei

carynkaleido — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 15:28:14 +0000

Verlorenvlei is an estuary that lies between Elands Bay and Redelinghuys, about 25 kilometres south of Lambert’s Bay. Verlorenvlei is one of the most important estuarine systems in the Western Cape and is one of the largest natural wetlands along the West Coast. It is also one of the only freshwater coastal lakes in the country. The lake is about 13.5 km long and 1.4 km wide. There are karroid and fynbos vegetation types with a great species diversity typical of an ecotone area. It is a great spot for birdwatching. The lake supports over 5 000 birds regularly and 20 000 birds occasionally. See ducks, great crested grebe, red-knobbed coot, gulls, cormorants, African marsh harrier, great white pelican, African black oystercatcher, red-chested flufftail, moorhens, and swamphens Other waterbirds seen here include herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and flamingos. The presence of Glossy Ibises and African Spoonbills is important since these species are not common in the area. . The Western Cape is home to hundreds of bird species. For full identification and seasonal details, see this comprehensive Western Cape bird guide. Flamingos appear when other vlei areas, such as Rocher Pan 35km to the south, and Wadrifsoutpan 13km to the north, dry up. Flamingos are listed in the South African Red Data Book as requiring conservation

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