About City
Situated on the south west coast of South Africa, Melkbosstrand is a coastal village and beach. It is 35 km north of Cape Town. In Afrikaans language, it means "Milkbush beach".
It was named after the species of Euphorbiacesase bushes. These bushes spring up on the dunes and produce a latex like substance that is milk-like. Generally, it is referred to as Melkbos. The town is impor
It was named after the species of Euphorbiacesase bushes. These bushes spring up on the dunes and produce a latex like substance that is milk-like. Generally, it is referred to as Melkbos. The town is impor">Situated on the south west coast of South Africa, Melkbosstrand is a coastal village and beach. It is 35 km north of Cape Town. In Afrikaans language, it means "Milkbush beach".
It was named after the species of Euphorbiacesase bushes. These bushes spring up on the dunes and produce a latex like substance that is milk-like. Generally, it is referred to as Melkbos. The town is important because it has a 7 km patch of white sand beach that is located on the Atlantic coast. Surfers love the beach. It is also significant as one of the points for the South Africa-Far East and South Atlantic/West Africa submarine cable systems.
After 1994, it became a part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. Bloubergstrand and Atlantis are the neighbouring towns. Since it is located in the nature conservation zone, it is insulated from the urban boom of development. Hence, it remains an ideal seaside hotspot.
In history, Melkbosstrand was known as Losperd's Bay. In old Dutch, it means the Bay of Lost Horses. Melkbosstrad is the place where Battle of Baauwberg was fought. The Cape Town was then no longer under the control of French-Batavian troops and became a colony of the British Crown. The area abounds with Colonial, Dutch vernacular architecture. Melkbosh, the farmhouse, established by the Dutch East India Company is still in place.
In 1961, Melkbosstrand became important because of the SAT-1 copper cable between South Africa and Sesimbra, Portugal. In 1992, the SAT-2 fiber optic cable replaced the cable. At present, Melkbosstrand continues to be the landing point for the SAT-3/WASS undersea cable system. Big Bay which is a world famous surfing spot is merely 5 km away. There are a number of beaches for tourists as well as film shoots.
There is the Atlanic Beach Golf Resort, the oldest "fish and chips" restaurants and Cafe Orca are some of the tourist attractions. West Coast National Park along with Geelbek is equally fascinating for tourists. Morningstar Airfield, Flight Academy, the historic West Coast Ostrich Ranch and The Cape Town Polo Club also draw crowds. Spring Wild Flowers area starts in the outskirts of Melkbosstrad that goes all the way up to Namaqualand.
Ou Skip, Zonnekus Holiday Resort and Caravan Park, Melkbos 4x4 are popular destinations to explore. Pick n Pay Melkbosstrand, Clicks Pharmacy - Melkbosstrand, The Farmyard can cater to your shopping requirements. Damhuis Restaurant, I Love Melkies, Castella Amare Restaurant are restaurants that provide tasty delicacies.
Melkbosstrand High School, Melkbos Pre-Primary School, Melkbosstrand Private School, Van Riebeeckstrand Primary School are well known schools in the area.
For many years, Melkbosstrand has earned a dubious label of "rich man's town" because it is home to many South African celebrities. Retired rugby players, actors, writers etc. prefer to relocate to Melkbosstrand. Hence, it is called so. A lot of high profile people prefer it because of its natural beauty, strategic location and first rate facilities. International best-selling novelist Deon Meyer was a long time resident of Melkbosstrand as well as South-African French philosopher Philippe-Joseph Salazar.
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