WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK IMAGES: NATASH LASSEN
It’s close to town with the beach on its doorstep, that iconic view of Table Mountain and horizons embellished with a colourful confetti of swooping kites – so there’s no surprise that Milnerton has caught the eye of families and young professionals.
“Milnerton is conveniently situated, close to town and on the MyCiti bus route,” says resident Liete van der Eems. “On top of that, having surroundings such as Table Bay Nature Reserve, the Milnerton beach front and lagoon all just five minutes away, creates a tranquil feel.”
As well as the surrounding nature reserves and beaches, the larger properties are part of the attraction. “I grew up in town and always said I would never ever move to the ‘burbs, but after my parents moved to Milnerton 15 years ago I started thinking differently,” says Neighbourhood editor, Carla Redelinghuys. Needing more space for their young children her family moved here seven months ago. “I can honestly say we’ve never been happier. I feel like I’m living on a small farm, but I’m 15 minutes from town on a bad day and I have the sound of the ocean in the background. And there’s an excellent library too.”
Residents are proud of Milnerton’s history. Local hero Wolraad Woltemade made his name in the 18th century saving the lives of shipwrecked sailors and losing his own, his house still stands in the suburb. The wooden bridge that gave Woodbridge Island its name, originally built in 1901 by the military, is currently being restored, as part of the Point to Beach Project. This is a community initiative by The Milnerton Central Residents Association with support of the City of CT, to uplift the area surrounding Woodbridge Island, encompassing upgrades to footpaths, lighting, landscaping, a new outdoor gym, and the restoration of the old Milnerton Town Hall.
Property
Milnerton offers a wide variety of property types from large family homes to one-bedroom apartments. Houses with lagoon or ocean views in security complexes on Woodbridge Island or Sunset Links Residential Estate are in the upper price bracket for the area, and the more affordable family homes in the residential streets of Central Milnerton within walking distance of the schools, are equally sought after. Milnerton Ridge borders on the wetlands of Table Bay Nature Reserve appreciated for its quiet residential streets and generous plot sizes, and Royal Ascot offers newly-developed complexes of apartments, townhouses and free-standing houses on what was once the Milnerton racecourse.
Schools
A big drawcard for families is the schools. Milnerton High School attracts students from all along the Western Seaboard, and Milnerton Pre-primary, Woodbridge, Milnerton, and Seamount primary schools are all popular choices. For private options Abbotts College and Curro in Century City are easily accessible, and the wellknown Parklands private schools are a comfortable drive against the traffic.
Explore
Every single watersport is on your doorstep – from kite-surfing, surfing and SUP on the beach front to flat-water windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and water-skiing on Rietvlei. A flourishing lifesaving club keeps watch over the beach front and an annual event is the extreme Lighthouse Swim from Milnerton Lighthouse to Big Bay. And you couldn’t ask for a more scenic position than Milnerton golf club’s course sandwiched between the lagoon and the ocean.
There are plenty more leisurely activities, too. “I love taking walks on the beachfront or lagoon, visiting the Table Bay Nature Reserve or bargain hunting at the Milnerton Flea Market, a family and pet-friendly market happening on Saturdays and Sundays,” says Liete. The Milnerton Playhouse is home to an active amateur theatre company and hosts regular productions.
Milnerton’s central location means that it’s easy to explore the rest of Cape Town. “You can be climbing Table Mountain or relaxing on a Durbanville wine farm within 30 minutes,” says Caroline Marx, resident for 30 years. Convenient location and an abundance of water, nature and stunning views are Milnerton’s secret recipe for easy living.
Close to town, close to the beach, established still reasonably affordable houses on huge plots, excellent schools, close to shopping centres for big shops but with great family-owned smaller convenience stores where you can find anything you’re looking for at odd hours… Milnerton really has everything you want CARLA REDELINGHUYS, RESIDENT
Agent insight
Property World, Century City & Burgundy Estate | 021 555 0105 | propertyworld.co.za
Milnerton and its immediate neighbouring suburbs are currently enjoying the growth and roll-out of a few choice affordable residential developments, together with the addition of new schools, hospitals, commercial and industrial developments, as well as the upgrade of surrounding infrastructure. Sustained investment in prime locations such as Century City and Burgundy Estate, together with its ideal location in relation to the Cape Town CBD, Cape Town International Airport, the Winelands and the West Coast, result in continued buoyancy of property sales and the residential rental market.
Brian Usher, Sales director 082 571 7024 | brian@propertyworld.co.za
SHOP
- The Paddocks Mall: Spar and neighbourhood mall with restaurants
- Centre Point Shopping Centre: brand-new mall with Pick n Pay
- Canal Walk: serious retail therapy
- Montague Gardens: light industrial parks with a wide variety of factory shops
EAT
- Maestros on the Beach: good food and amazing views
- Wang Thai: sushi and classic Thai food with a beach terrace
- Italian Club: classic Italian food, wood-fired pizzas, Sunday buffets
- Cowboys and Cooks: excellent steaks
- Unwined: tapas, wine and pizza
- Tessa’s Bakery: cakes and coffee
- Dales Black Angus Grill: steakhouse
PLAY
- Milnerton Flea Market every weekend
- Milnerton Playhouse Theatre
- Kite-surfing, wind-surfing, SUP and every form of watersport
- Golf at Milnerton Golf Club and Atlantic Beach
- Bird-watching in Table Bay Nature Reserve and Rietvlei
- Beach walks and sundowners with those mountain views
- Cycling on the network of cycle paths that go all the way to Blouberg
