Helderberg
The Helderberg is a wine-producing area in the Western Cape of South Africa and is made up of Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay and a few other smaller towns. The district takes its name from the imposing Helderberg Mountain.
Somerset West
A town encircled by exquisite mountains and hills covered in vineyards, with views of the nearby ocean and sandy beaches. It is a veritable paradise for all who appreciate scenic beauty, wine and fruit, decadent cuisine, hospitality, good taste and sense of history.
Somerset West enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate. Winter can be unpredictable since its rainy periods are often interjected with many sunny days. Somerset West summers are dry and hot tempered by soothing sea breezes. Spring and Autumn are idyllic, with mild days and warm evenings.
Strand
A seaside resort town situated on the eastern edge of False Bay and at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Its geographical position is just between Macassar and Gordon’s Bay, and is about 50 km southeast of Cape Town. Strand’s main attraction is the beach; 5 km of white sandy beach lapped by the waters of False Bay.
Gordon’s Bay
A harbor town close to Strand situated on the northeastern corner of False Bay about 50 km from Cape Town. Gordon’s Bay is the smallest of three towns in the Helderberg region and was originally named “Fish Hoek”, many years before the town of the same name, located on the western side of False Bay, was founded.
The older part of Gordon’s Bay is host to the South African Navy’s Naval College, an officer training center located adjacent to the old harbor and yacht marina. Above the harbor on the mountainside is a giant anchor and the letters “GB”. Many think that this stands for Gordon’s Bay, but in fact it stands for General Botha, which was the original name of the Naval station in the town.
