Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

It was on a beautiful winter's day a few weeks ago that we decided to stop off at the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens in Betty's Bay en-route home from Hermanus. After heavy rains the previous few days, the waterfalls were literally thundering down the mountainside, but in the warm sunshine the bright spring flowers had opened making for a lovely setting.

The gardens are set in the heart of the coastal fynbos zone between the mountains and the sea - it's quite special standing in the midst of the sloping lawns with the mountains as a backdrop, and then literally turning around and looking out to the turquoise sea.

The garden is well known for its waterfalls, amber rock pools and several kilometres of nature trails providing scenic views of forests, mountains and coastline. As well as the main fynbos families the garden is also home to irises, daisies and orchids; as well as the red disa in its natural habitat and South Africa's national flower, the king protea.

We particularly enjoyed exploring the 'secret' walkways laid out beneath beautiful trees; and the wooden walkways which meander through a marshy wetland area where we could hear a chorus of frogs - although we didn't manage to spot any on this particular visit.

The Leopards Kloof Restaurant is just inside the entrance to the gardens and has a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking a small pond fed by a little stream. It's a safe spot for kids to wander around, within sight, while you enjoy a coffee or even a glass of wine. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch as well as for tea, coffee, cake and scones. We enjoyed some excellent milkshakes and the filled wraps are generous and delicious.

Entrance fees are R17 for adults and R7 for children and the gardens are open from 08h00 - 16h30 Monday to Friday and 08h00 - 17h00 on weekends and public holidays.