CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE CELEBRATES ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Chapman’s Peak Drive celebrates its 100th anniversary on May 6th 2022 and the celebration parade will be held on the 8th of May 2022. The world-famous Drive first opened to the public in 1922, is a vital artery that connects communities in Cape Town and attracts thousands of international and local visitors to the Southern Peninsula on daily basis.

To celebrate this momentous achievement, the operators of the Drive, along with the Western Cape Government and SANParks invite visitors to participate in a photographic competition with a series of prize giveaways spread out over 100 days in the lead up to the centenary weekend and have erected a special frame at the main picnic site.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, or Chappies as the drive is affectionately known, was named after an English skipper, John Chapman, the captain’s mate of an English ship that sailed into what is now known as Hout Bay in 1607.

John Chapman rowed to shore in search of provisions while on a journey around the Cape of Good Hope in the same year. Hundreds of years later in 1915, work began to cut a road along a series of ridges to connect Hout Bay to Noordhoek. It was a feat of engineering back then, and when it was officially opened on the 6th of May 1922 it was called Chapman’s Peak Drive.

Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town, South Africa, is considered one of the best coastal and scenic drives in the world. With a dramatic mountain on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Chappies, should be on everyone’s must-do list when visiting the Mother City. The twisting 9km Drive has 114 curves, gives you spectacular 180° views of the Atlantic coastline, and hugs the near-vertical face of the mountain, linking Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Combining the drive with the Cape Peninsula makes a perfect day trip out of Cape Town. Chapman’s Peak Drive is also part of the route of two of South Africa’s biggest mass-participation races, the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon.

There are numerous viewpoints along the Drive, including three main picnic areas, all of which make perfect pitstops for scenic pictures or a chilled picnic with the views of the Atlantic Ocean, Hout Bay, The Sentinel Peak, and surrounds, as well as over Noordhoek Beach. Each of the picnic areas is equipped with tables and seating.

Over 5000 Capetonians are registered as frequent users of the Drive, passing over the scenic route daily. However, far more people visit the drive daily to take in the stunning vistas over Hout Bay and Noordhoek’s Long Beach.

For locals, the drive is a source of pride, and businesses and individuals from communities from the area are offering a series of prizes to the general public as part of their support for Chappies. The prizes will be awarded over a 100 Day period to visitors who take a photo of themselves or their group at a specially constructed frame located at the main picnic area along the drive.

The frame is located before the day pass turnaround on the Hout Bay seaside of the Drive, and to enter, simply take a picture in the frame, upload it on your preferred social media account, and use #CPD100YEARS for a chance to win amazing prizes. Prizes offered by one of the participating businesses, Cape Point Vineyards, include several vouchers for lunch for 2 as well as sushi and wine pairings valued at over R1000 each.

Following the prize giveaway build-up, the centenary will be marked by a series of events over the anniversary weekend. There will be a series of special events planned and a special ceremony will be held with the Provincial Minister of the Department of Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell, and events in both Noordhoek and Hout Bay will be facilitated by allowing free access to the Drive at particular times over the anniversary weekend.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Chapman’s Peak Drive may be closed during severe weather, or as a result of road maintenance. Contact the customer service line (021 791 8220) to check the current status.

TOLL-ROAD FEES

Light-motor vehicles: R61
Motorcycles: R40
Day Pass (Picnic areas): Free

LOCATION

Chapmans Peak Drive, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, Cape Town.

CONTACT DETAILS

Tel: 021 791 8220 | info@chapmanspeakdrive.co.za (Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza)
Tel: 021 712 0527 | E-mail: tablem@sanparks.org (Table Mountain National Park)
Emergency Tel Numbers: 086 110 6417 or 021 480 7700

For more information visit www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Some businesses may revise their operating hours and menus due to the season and COVID-19 pandemic. Other businesses may close, either temporarily or permanently without notice. Please check their websites for updates and book well in advance.

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