SUNDAYS ON 12
The Twelve Apostles sets the scene for an early Sunday drive in the fairest Cape.
The drive along Victoria Road, stretching from Sea Point to Hout Bay, is one of Cape Town's most scenic yet underrated routes. Winding its way along the Atlantic coast, this 8.5-kilometer stretch weaves past majestic mountains and tranquil beaches, creating a route celebrated by locals and visitors alike.
The journey begins near Sea Point and leads toward the suburb of Camps Bay, eventually passing the iconic Twelve Apostles, a series of impressive sandstone buttresses that seem to rise directly from the ocean’s edge. This mountain range, now part of Table Mountain National Park, was initially known by Dutch settlers as Kasteelbergen, or Castle Mountains. In 1820, Governor Sir Rufane Donkin coined the name “Twelve Apostles,” inspired by the twelve strikingly distinct buttresses along the mountainside, each with its own name—from Kloof and Porcupine to the aptly named Llandudno Peak.
One of the most charming aspects of Victoria Road is the way it’s engineered to hug the mountainside, offering a drive that is both smooth and scenic. With its banked turns and gentle curves, the road allows you to soak in the scenery without needing to rush. Just past Bakoven, as the road curves toward Hout Bay, you’ll catch sweeping views of the Atlantic and the dramatic cliffs that drop into the sea.
While the drive itself is captivating, there are numerous pull-off points where you can stop, step out, and truly appreciate the landscape. Whether it’s the tranquil shores of Llandudno Beach, the striking outline of Lion’s Head, or the jagged peaks of the Twelve Apostles, each viewpoint along this route provides a distinct snapshot of Cape Town’s natural beauty. The view of Llandudno from Suikerbossie Hill, in particular, is a favorite among photographers for its panoramic coastal views.
Historically and scenically rich, Victoria Road has become a favored route for those looking to experience the beauty of Cape Town beyond its urban center. The drive is especially popular among cyclists and motorcyclists, who relish the road’s curves and the open Atlantic vistas. Though the route can be a commute for locals, taking it at a leisurely pace allows even frequent travelers to rediscover the road’s hidden charm.
Victoria Road is more than just a road; it’s an experience of Cape Town’s coastal grandeur. From the rocky formations of the Twelve Apostles to the pristine sands of Camps Bay, each turn offers something new, making it a scenic drive not to be missed.
Wild Shores Collection
Welcome to our wild shores, where the two worlds of turning ocean tides meet and dance with rocky, tumbling coasts and serene sandy shorelines. This is our place to taste the salty air that brings so much oxygen to our joy.
We explore the ever-present energy of the sea as it welcomes those who ride its tumbling waves, push through placid moments, and absorb its vast expanse. The sea, an ocean of the infinite, provides Mother Nature's oceanic forces to live in and find ourselves. We delight in its beauty, fly with its waves, and move through its tidal zones to find our moment of infinity.
