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Cape Columbine Lighthouse
was commissioned on 1 October 1936 and derives its name from the barque
Columbine, which was wrecked there on 31 March 1829.
Several ships were wrecked in the area, which is known for its multitude of
submerged rocks and reefs.
The Columbine Nature Reserve surrounds Cape Columbine Lighthouse. On the
southern side of the lighthouse is Tieties Bay where one will find a
caravan/tent park. The coastline is well known for its sea life, especially
for crawfish and abalone. Langebaan Lagoon, the West Coast National Park, a
Fossil Park, and a number of private game lodges may also be found in the
area.
Cape Columbine Lighthouse is
situated on a prominent headland ±5 km from the picturesque fishing village
of Paternoster (meaning Our Father) deriving its name from the heartfelt
prayers of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors. The lighthouse, built on rising
ground at Castle Rock, and usually the first lighthouse sighted by shipping
coming from South America and Europe, is about 30 km from Vredenburg on the
West Coast.
How to get there:
Latitude: 32° 49’ 39” S
Longitude: 17° 51’ 23” E
Take the R27 from Cape Town to Vredenburg – your journey will be about an
hour and a half and you will travel through some very scenic areas past
Yzerfontein and Langebaan and en route stop in Saldanha Bay. Then continue
to Vredenburg, through the quaint Paternoster, a fishing village famous for
its “West Coast Houses” often depicted in paintings. Paternoster is on the
doorstep of the Columbine Nature Reserve, which, in spring, is carpeted with
a riot of fynbos flowers.
On offer:
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Guided tours of the
lighthouse
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Curios and memorabilia
on sale
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Self-catering
accommodation - 2 self-catering cottages (graded by SA Tourism as
4-star), accommodating 6 persons each, a cottage for 2 persons, and a
park home cottage facility accommodating 4 persons
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Conference facility -
can accommodate at least 30 persons (banquet style) and 100 persons in
cinema seating style.
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Swimming pool
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The large premises
lends itself ideally for special events, as there is plenty of space for
erecting a marquee tent, where weddings and wedding receptions and other
events may be held.
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Jungle Jim
Accommodation:
Blue Bells
3 x Bedrooms / One Bath Room
1 x Queen size bed
4 x ¾ beds
Tumble Weed
3 x Bedrooms / One Bath Room
1 x Queen size bed
4 x ¾ beds
Forget-Me-Not
1 x bedroom
/ One Bath Room with Jacuzzi
1 x Queen size bed
Desert Rose
2 x Bedrooms / One Bath Room
2 x ¾ Double Bunks
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