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Giant Flag
A viewing deck at the Valley of Desolation viewpoint looks down on this 6600-sq-m flag, which is being created from millions of coloured desert plants. When completed, it will be the worlds largest flag – visible from space.
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Fick House
Fick House, also known as the Burgerhuis, is a fine example of Cape Dutch style from the late 18th century. Most of this building is now occupied by Historical Homes of South Africa, established to preserve important architecture.
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AECI Dynamite Factory Museum
The AECI Dynamite Factory Museum, housed in an original 1895 homestead 16km northeast of the city centre, charts the development of South Africa’s explosives industry (a crucial factor in Jo’burg’s development as a mining centre).
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Glen Carlou
Sitting south of the N1, the tasting room has a panoramic view of Tortoise Hill. Enjoy a glass of the sumptuous chardonnay or renowned bordeaux blend, Grand Classique, over lunch (three-course meal R340). There’s an art gallery too.
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Sugar Terminal
Maydon Wharf, which runs along the southwestern side of the harbour and south of Margaret Mncadi Ave, is home to the Sugar Terminal, which offers an insight into the sugar trade. The trade was the backbone of Durbans early economy.
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Warwick Estate
Warwick’s red wines are legendary, particularly its bordeaux blends. The winery offers an informative ‘Big Five’ wine safari (referring to grape varieties, not large mammals) through the vineyards and picnics to enjoy on the lawns.
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Waalburg Building
The Waalburg Building has a facade decorated with bronze and Table Mountain–stone panels depicting scenes of South African life. Opposite is the Western Cape Legislature, its grey bulk enlivened by stone-carved animal heads.
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Gately House
Gately House was the residence of the first mayor of East London, John Gately, and still contains all his original furniture. It’s near the entrance to Queen’s Park, but it’s easiest to access the house by walking up from the zoo.
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Iziko Social History Centre
Behind Jan Hendrik’s statue in Church Square is the handsome facade of the old National Mutual Building, which is in the process of being turned into the Iziko Social History Centre to house the museum organisation’s library.
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Hely
This is one of five reservoirs created on top of Table Mountain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1904, this one holds 924 megalitres and was named for Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, the last governor of Cape Colony.
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Crooks Corner
On the outskirts of a beautiful fever-tree forest, Crooks Corner marks not only the confluence of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers but also the historic meeting place of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and smugglers (its all in the name).
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Karamat of Sheik Abdurachman Matebe Shah
At the entrance to Klein Constantia is this karamat (saint’s tomb) of Sheik Abdurachman Matebe Shah, who was buried here in 1661. The tomb is one of several that encircle Cape Town, supposedly providing protection against natural disasters.
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Bird Island
Sitting just 100m from the mainland, Bird Island is an important breeding site for the Cape gannet. Youll likely spot Cape fur seals too. The island is accessible on foot via a breakwater. Theres a bird hide and plenty of informative signage.
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Bethesda Arts Centre
This community arts centre exhibits huge tapestries made locally. Julia Malgas, the granddaughter of Helen Martinss assistant Koos, or another artist can explain the myths and beliefs of the San people portayed in the tapestries designs.
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South African National Museum of Military History
If you’re fascinated by guns, tanks and aircraft, you can see artefacts and implements of destruction from the 1899–1902 Anglo-Boer War through to WWII at one of Jo’burg’s most popular museums. It’s at the eastern end of the zoo’s grounds.
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Anura
Foodies could hang out here for a while, tasting cheese made on the premises, grabbing a platter or picnic featuring cured meats from the deli, or swapping grape for grain and sipping a beer from the microbrewery alongside the pretty pond.
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Natural Science Museum
This museum at City Hall boasts an impressive, if pleasantly retro, display of stuffed birds and insects, plus African animals. Check out the cockroach and dung-beetle displays, the reconstructed dodo and the life-size dinosaur model.
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KWV Cellar
Although not as famous as its counterpart in Paarl, this cellar and brandy distillery is the largest of its kind in the world under one roof. A must-see for brandy enthusiasts looking to sample the product; hour-long tours kick off at 2pm.
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House Museum
The House Museum is a restored Victorian home full of black-and-white photos, old dolls and furniture, including a wooden carved commode in the main bedroom. Admission includes entry to the Printing and House Museums and Dresden Store.
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San Paintings
About 10km southeast of town near Qomoqomong is a collection of San paintings. Several minibus taxis ply this route daily; once in Qomoqomong, ask at the General Dealer’s store to arrange a guide for the 20-minute walk to the paintings.
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