The Champagne Mile

Name: The Champagne Mile
Brand: VoiceMap
SKU: 184
Price: 1.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.9 (13 reviews)
Author: Jennifer

(13 reviews)

This is a 0.6mi walking tour

It takes an average of 20 mins to complete.

Hermanus

South Africa

$1.99

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About the Tour

Explore Hermanus' thriving biodiversity on a walk from its Old Harbour, along the breathtaking Cliff Path. Hear the story of the town's first sanitorium-turned-hotel, encounter incredible millennia-old rock formations and, in the colder months, treat yourself to the best land-based whale watching in the world.

Tour Producer

Jennifer Beattie

1 tour

Jennifer runs an architectural practice in Cape Town where she lives with her husband and daughter. Her family's connection to Hermanus goes back over a century.

Preview Location

Location 1

Old Harbour

Welcome to the Hermanus Champagne Mile VoiceMap walk. My name is Jennifer Beattie and I have enjoyed walking along Hermanus' cliff path since I was a little girl growing up here. Let me be your guide today as we meander along the cliff path from the Old Harbour in a westerly d... Welcome to the Hermanus Champagne Mile VoiceMap walk. My name is Jennifer Beattie and I have enjoyed walking along Hermanus' cliff path since I was a little girl growing up here. Let me be your guide today as we meander along the cliff path from the Old Harbour in a westerly direction. Before we begin walking, let’s make sure we’re in the right place. You should be facing the sea, in front of two cannons and a memorial honouring the residents of Hermanus who gave their lives during World Wars I and II.

The Old Harbour lies just beyond and below. You'd need to walk right to the cliff edge to see the harbour wall, but not to worry, we'll get a better view of it later. Behind you are the Whale House Museum, De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum and the Village Square Market, all well worth a visit. There are also a number of restaurants and shops in the vicinity. On a clear day you can see the other side of Walker Bay ahead of you, ending in Danger Point, site of the sinking of the British troopship, The Birkenhead, when the phrase “women and children first” was uttered by the captain of a sinking ship for the very first time.

The Old Harbour below is a National Monument and open air museum commemorating the town’s involvement with the fishing industry from its origins in 1855, until the opening of the New Harbour in 1951. The first inhabitants of what was then known as Hermanuspietersfontein were five families who moved from a site known as Herrie’s Bay in modern day Hawston to the safer and more convenient harbour that is now at the centre of historic Hermanus. Here, fish were dried on platforms or salted and then sent inland to Caledon and farms in the district. Later, markets were found in Cape Town and fish from here was even exported as far as Madagascar. Some of the local fisherman had amusing nicknames such as “Kasterolie” (or “castor oil”) du Toit and “Floukoffie” (or “weak coffee”) Swart, which were recorded by historians like Hercules Wessels. The boats themselves had more conventional names, including Britannia and Victoria. Today, there is a provincial museum on the site which tells you these, and other, stories.

Let’s start walking now, towards your right, always staying close to the sea, always following the cliff path. VoiceMap uses your GPS location to play commentary automatically. You can put your phone in your pocket and soak up your surroundings. You’ll hear my voice again when you get near to the next waypoint, Gearing’s point, which is also the start of the Hermanus Biodiversity Walk. I’m going to talk about the area from more of an historicaI – and, at times, personal – perspective, so I urge you to take the time to read the signs along the way as they will complement what I have to say. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Hermanus Cliff Path Biodiversity Walk

Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
64 Marine Dr, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
Total distance

982m
Final location
21 Marine Dr, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
Distance back to start location

618.05m

Directions to Starting Point

Follow the R43 all the way into Hermanus. You are in the centre of Hermanus when the road makes a sharp turn to the left or right (depending on which direction you’re coming from) at a set of traffic lights. Find parking and walk in the direction of the sea. Ask for the Old Harbour. The walk starts at the stone war memorial, above the Old Harbour, flanked by two cannons.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

The Old Harbour, Gearing's Point, Biodiversity Park

Best time of day

Daylight Hours

Precautions

Although the cliff path is patrolled between sunrise and sunset, it is never a good idea to flash your valuables.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Questions and Reviews

3.9 / 5

13 Ratings

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