Observatory is a suburb in Cape Town known affectionately as 'Obs', the area is best known as a student neighbourhood, most of whom attend the University of Cape Town located close by. It is also the home of the South African Astronomical Observatory headquarters as well as Groote Schuur Hospital.
It is an alternative part of town, with 'New Age' style stores, South Africa's only anarchist infoshop. It is served by the Observatory railway station on the Southern Line.
Observatory is the location many backpackers and student lodgings choose to base themselves, who cater for particularly North American and European students. Lower Main Road is lined with music venues, restaurants and alternative shops.
CLIMATE
Cape Town has a Mediterranean-style climate with wet, cool winters, and dry warm summers. The average summer temperatures are 24ºC with January and February averaging 26ºC.
Cape Town lies on the 34th latitude south, however, Cape Town’s climate is a collection of micro-climates of which the Northern Suburbs has more than one. Apart from air pressure, wind and temperatures, the cold current, mountains, and built-environment are additional factors that influence the local weather. Check with the forecasts for the daily weather.
The front view of Table Mountain is famous for its tablecloth, the south-east wind blows cool air off the sea which is forced up over the mountain, this air condenses into clouds which ‘spill’ over the front. The tablecloth is a good indicator that the southeaster (the prevailing summer wind) is blowing and that the beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard are a better bet than those in False Bay.
WHEN TO GO
For beach and sightseeing holidays, the summer months are best from October to April, however, in both April and October the weather is variable and unpredictable. Winters are mild with temperatures in a range of 8ºC and 17ºC but winter is the rainy season. There is something to be said for a warm fireside, sipping the Cape’s award-winning red wines, while the wind and rain rage outside. Winter is also whale-watching season. December/January is the time most South Africans take their annual holiday and the summer break for school children, so booking is often essential, but there is always more to do and see.
The transition between mountain and flat the change in vegetation becomes clear, there are patches of Afromontane forest in the kloofs of Table Mountain, the higher and lower slopes the fynbos is characterised by large protea bushes, and as the land gets flatter so does the vegetation with Strandveld fynbos growing on the ‘Flats’. There are literally hundreds of flowering species.
Fynbos comprises four major plant groups:
● Proteas: large shrubs with broad leaves
● Ericas: heath-like, low-growing shrubs
● Restios: reed-like plants; are the only group that are found in all fynbos habitats
● Geophytes: bulbs; these include watsonias and disas both of which occur mainly in wetland areas and are prominent after fires.
Fynbos is a fire-dependent vegetation that needs to burn around every 15 years to stimulate new growth and ensure that plant and animal communities remain healthy. If it doesn’t burn in about 20 – 30 years, it stops producing seeds which could cause the extinction of some species. If fire is too frequent due to human intervention seed banks are depleted which can change the diversity of plant species in the area.
There are nearly always flowers to be seen. Ask the Fynbos Guy what is currently flowering on the Table Mountain Chain.
FAUNA
The Southern Suburbs are built-up residential areas of Cape Town. Large mammals are no longer abundant in these regions small interesting and often endemic animals such as mongoose, otters, tortoises, snakes, lizards, frogs and toads can be observed especially in the nature reserves.
Reptiles
Look out for the bright blue-headed Southern Rock Agama, the prehistoric looking Black Girdled Lizard and the Cape Skink.
There are some interesting endemic and endangered Amphibians, the Table Mountain Ghost Frog is a special find, but look out for the Cape Chirping Frog, Cape River Frog, the endangered Leopard toad and the tiny Arum Lily Frog.
Two species of Tortoises are common, the Angulate Tortoise and the Parrot-beaked Tortoise.
There are 22 snake species, ten of which are non-venomous, although they can still deliver a nasty bite if provoked. Some of the venomous species include the Cape Cobra, the Puff Adder, Boomslang, Rinkhals and Berg Adder. The good news is it they are mostly shy and will avoid human contact. The one you are most likely to encounter is the Puff Adder which enjoys nice warm spots, such as rocks and pathways (best to keep out of its way).
Insects
Insects play an integral role in the fynbos ecosystem either by directly pollinating plants or as a vital source of nutrient for birds and animals. Some are especially adapted to pollinate specific plants. Look out for butterflies such as the Mountain Pride Butterfly that is the exclusive pollinator of a variety of red plants such as the red disa, and the red crassula.
Birds
The many niches and habitats that exist (ocean, shoreline, cliff-face, rocky highland, fynbos, forest and suburbia) contributes to a large species count, as does the geographical positioning at a continent's corner, many vagrants and seasonal visitors can be spotted.
For a full bird list or birding checkllist see the SANparks website or for further information on birding in the Cape Peninsula, contact: The Cape Bird Club on 021 559 0726 or www.capebirdclub.org
THINGS TO SEE & DO:
1) South African Astronomical Observatory
SAAO’s Cape Town headquarters are on the site of the former Royal Observatory (1828-1971). Apart from administration facilities and engineering workshops, there are also historic telescopes and a museum.
2) Visit the SAAO in Observatory on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 8pm.
Park near the Main Building then make your way to the Auditorium for a 45-minute presentation. The topic of the talk is advertised on the SAAO homepage. The evening’s programme will also include:
● an introduction to the historic McClean telescope
● the observatory museum
● the observatory building.
If the weather is clear, there will be a chance for everyone to look at something in the sky using the McClean and other telescopes set up for the night.
1 Observatory Road, Observatory
enquiries@saao.ac.za
+27 21 447 0025
3) Heart of Cape Town Museum
The first human heart transplant took place on the 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital. One of the greatest moments in medical history. The Heart of Cape Town Museum honours all those who played a major role in the surgical feat that pushed the boundaries of science, into the dawn of a new medical era, an era in which it became possible to transplant the symbol of the essence of life, our human heart.
Groote Schuur Hospital, Main Road, Observatory.
Guided tours start at (7 days a week) 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm
Specially pre-arranged tours are available for 5pm
info@heartofcapetown.co.za
+27 21 404 1967
Source Reference
http://www.heartofcapetown.co.za/index.htm
4) Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary
The Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary is a section of the Liesbeek River between the Hartleyvale football ground and the South African Astronomical Observatory.
This stretch of the river is grassed with picnic sites and shady trees along Liesbeek Parkway. The sounds of seagulls, sacred ibis, Egyptian geese, provide a buffer to the traffic noise as they squabble over scraps of food. The more secretive herons, coots, ducks and smaller birds hide in the reeds across the river. Raapenberg is an important breeding site for many duck species.
Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary is part of the new Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP), an open space initiative of Cape Town, priorities are to rehabilitate the polluted rivers for recreational activities, to control alien vegetation and create walkways along the rivers.
Source Reference
https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/parks/Pages/RaapenbergBirdSanctuary.aspx
5) Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium
The Hartleyvale Olympic Hockey Centre is a world class venue which has hosted both local and international events and seats approximately 3,000 spectators.
6) River Club - Driving range, mashie course and restaurant
A conference centre and golf club which includes a Mashie 9-hole course, a floodlit driving range, a golf shop, restaurant and a bar.
Open
Mon: 11am – 9pm
Tues - Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 9pm
Sun: 8am – 8pm
+27 21 448 6117
info@riverclub.co.za
7) Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC)
The Cape Town Science Centre is a not-for-profit science centre in Cape Town. There are more than 250 interactive science exhibits and mind-boggling puzzles, the Cape Town Science Centre is a world of discovery under one roof.
370B Main Rd, Observatory
Open
Mon to Saturday 9am – 4:30pm
Sunday 10am – 4:30pm
+27 21 300 3200
8) Lower Main Road – Observatory
Lower Main Road in Observatory which links Albert Road in Woodstock with Main Road, has a fascinating character of her own. Situated in the Bohemian, Artistic and Student-vibe Southern Suburb of Cape Town called Observatory or “Obs”, Lower Main Road promises an interesting spectrum of businesses, restaurants & cafes along her pavements.
- Bohemian/artistic area with an incredible vibe
- Based at the foot of Table Mountain
- Home to the Cape Town Science Centre
- Enjoy The River Club which offers a mashie course, superb driving range and restaurant
- Short drive from the fabulous Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock
- Very close the the V&A Waterfront and a host of land and sea-based activities
- Visit the Heart of Cape Town Museum (Medical museum)
- Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary
- Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium
Governor of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck decreed that a fortified building called “Fort Coornhoop” be built as one of several small forts to protect against the khoekhoe (who raided Cattle from the Dutch). Part of what was developed as Koornhoop became Uitwyk, which is now known as Malta Farm.
The suburb is named for the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope which houses the McClean Telescope. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. The original buildings now serve as the headquarters of the South African Astronomical Observatory, with an on-site museum exhibiting various historic instruments and telescopes.
During the years of apartheid, Observatory was one of the few suburbs where people of all races lived together. In December 1993, three men entered a popular student venue on Station Road, called the Heidelberg Tavern and opened fire, killing four people and injuring five. The three APLA operatives for what became known as the Heidelberg Massacre. In 1998, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission granted the three amnesty.
