Hi, I’m Marion from Farr Out in Paternoster, Cape West Coast, South Africa.
Paternoster IS BEST KNOWN FOR for its endless beach and peace and tranquillity in an old fishermen’s village.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Farr Out, as you do have a beautiful elevated view over Paternoster and its beach.
THE BEST early morning PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the fishmarket once the boats go out for their daily catch.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the Cape Columbine Lighthouse. This lighthouse was commissioned in 1936 and is situated approximately 5lm from the town. It is open daily from 10h00 to 15h00 and you can take a tour here. The grounds are open to the public and there is a resident lighthouse keeper on site …
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO enjoy the outdoor living by taking long walks along the beach or through the veld. Why not make a day of it and head to the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve which offers visitors a number of picnic spots and braai facilities.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO hibernate in a nice cosy bedroom with a glass of wine and a thick book. Pick up a bottle of wine or two on your way to Paternoster from a visit to the Darling Wine Route? Or if you are in a hurry stop off at the Vyge valley farmstall on Route 27, as they stock some of the local wines at cellar prices.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS all year around, BECAUSE there is never bad weather just the wrong clothing!
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS at Farr Out – we offer a continental breakfast during the week and an English breakfast on weekends.
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Voorstrandt Restaurant located on the beachfront of Paternoster. The restaurant is an old fishermans house with a corrugated tin roof. It’s advisable to book during the summer months if you’d like to sit at a table on the verandah. The menu boasts delicious fresh seafood dishes as well as some meat dishes.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Blikkie Pizzeria which can be found at 32 St Augustine Road, TRY THE Paternoster Snoek pizza. Open from Tuesday to Thursday from 12h00 to 20h00 and Friday and Saturday from 12h00 to 21h00. You simply must try the Paternoster Snoek pizza which was awarded second place in the South African leg of the Global Pizza Challenge!!
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM the Noisy Oyster – here you will find modern South African cuisine and the menu is changed daily so you can go back time and again. You will find a lively vibe with plenty of friendly people.
MY FAVOURITE hangout SPOT IS Skatkis as one can oversee the bay. This restaurant can be found at the Paternoster Lodge on 64 St Augustine Road.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY The Panty Bar at the Paternoster Hotel. This is a completely unique place as this used to serve as the Paternoster jail until 1940 and then became the managers, Mr Tollman, living quarters from 1940 to 1968. In 1974 a collection of “honeymoon panties” was started, but removed in 1983 because a reverend had tea at the hotel and reported this “unholy” tradition to the police. The collection was started again in the 1990’s and it is still a thriving tradition.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO go to fish market or to the hotel for a beverage or two.
PATERNOSTER’S BEST KEPT SECRET IS the unspoilt beaches and the working fishermen village.
FOR SOME LIVE MUSIC, I LIKE TO GO TO Skatkis as they sometimes have live music to enjoy with friends and family.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO go for long strolls in Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY the Beach Buggy Trip with Deon at Farr Out. Deon is a THETA accredited tour guide with extensive knowledge of the area. Why not book a Dunes Stroll which is approximately 2 hours long where you will travel from Paternoster to St Helena Bay and enjoy some stories during the journey.
MY FAVOURITE pottery SHOP IS Paternoster Pottery here you will find lovely earthware, kitchenware and basins by Gerhard van den Heever.
MY FAVOURITE birdwatching WATCHING SPOT IS Farr Out due to the diversity of birdlife on your doorstep. With Paternoster being home to more than 250 bird species make sure you look out for cormorants, sacred ibis and the Oystercatcher.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN September, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the Paternoster Heritage Festival where we aim to raise money for the Paternoster Children’s Fund. Purchase something from one of the arts and crafts stalls or take part in one of the games and adventurous competitions.
MY FAVOURITE GALLERY IS West Coast Experience (at the 4-way stop turn right, after 400m on your right). CHECK OUT THE photo art work.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS Cape Columbine Lighthouse, NOT ONLY FOR ITS history but also for the fantastic view.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS frolicking in the ponds amongst the rocky outcrop of Columbine Nature Reserve.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS whale watching in season and flowers in spring. After we have had our first spring rainfalls the landscape is completely transformed by gorgeous indigenous flowers. Come and see the buds of colour from late July to September – don’t forget your camera.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO go to Gaaitjie Salt Water Restaurant. You will find them tucked into the rocks right on the beachfront just off Sampson Street. All of the food is cooked to order so you can expect something delicious on your plate. They are open Thursday to Monday for both lunch and dinner.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS teepees at Farr Out.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Farr Out in Paternoster, even living here, I can’t get enough of the peace and tranquillity on the outskirts of Paternoster.
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I support the plans of the recycling swop shop.
I Love Paternoster because I live here!
Paternoster Links:
- Paternoster Attractions
- Paternoster Guest Houses
- Paternoster Accommodation
- Western Cape Accommodation
- Western Cape & Cape Town Hotels
Desirable Digits
Farr Out: +27 (0)22 752-2222
Cape Columbine Lighthouse: +27 (0)21 449-2400
Vyge Valley Farmstall: +27 (0)22 492-2586
Voorstrandt Restaurant: +27 (0)22 752-2038
Blikkie Pizzeria: +27 (0)22 752-2246
The Noisy Oyster: +27 (0)22 752-2196
Skatkis: +27 (0)22 752-2023
The Panty Bar: +27 (0)22 752-2703 / 773
Paternoster Pottery: +27 (0)22 752-2061
Gaaitjie Salt Water Restaurant: +27 (0)22 752-2242
