The peaceful suburb of Pinelands is conveniently located between the international airport and the city of Cape Town. The suburb’s unique layout was based on an idea first conceived by Englishman Ebenezer Howard in his 1898 book entitled Garden Cities of To-morrow. His peers ridiculed the garden city concept but were proven wrong when Pinelands mushroomed into a suburban area cleverly designed around a central park and shopping facilities conveniently located for its residents.
In keeping with this concept, over 25ha of land is allocated to sporting facilities, churches of varying denominations are centrally clustered and homes along the main tree-lined thoroughfares are set back against the traffic.
The Elsieskraal River runs directly through Pinelands via a concrete canal, effectively creating a green belt.
Many large corporations have premises in Pinelands to enjoy the suburb’s park-like surroundings.
Things to do
Howard Centre is a compact, stylish mall in the centre of Pinelands. The mall management team have assembled a widespread mix of products and services.The Oude Molen Eco Village set in an old hospital complex is run by an association aiming to empower the disadvantaged. From here social products are undertaken, art is created and sold, and produce sourced from their food gardens incorporated into dishes sold at the farm stall café. The village also comprises a public swimming pool, frail care centre, horse-riding facilities and a traditional healer practice. Let the traditional healer throw the bones to reveal your future!
If you enjoy Scottish Highland Dancing, pop in to the Albion School of Highland Dancing for some instruction or just to watch the dancers.The Old Mutual Sports Club has a squash court available for visitors. They require a letter from your host and the squash court keys collected during office hours.
Three health centres - Top To Toe Natural Beauty Salon, Sublime Skin & Body and the Holistic Health Clinic are available for you to spoil yourself to all manner of beauty treatment.
Pinelands is bordered by the 18-hole Mowbray Golf course. Mondays are visitor open days with reasonably priced green fees. The clubhouse has a café and pro shop.
The Canal Walk Shopping Centre in Century City is a short 5km drive from Pinelands. This is a Cape Town premier mall where you can purchase most things, including a luxury vehicle! The shopping centre is surrounded by upmarket and sought-after apartments. A section of the property is nature reserve and a boat ride can be taken along the river course to view birds nesting amongst the bustle of Century City. Alongside the Canal Walk mall is Ratanga Junction, purchase a day pass for heart-pounding rides on more than 30 attractions offered by this theme park. Try the Slingshot if you dare!
Century City boasts one of the largest Virgin Active gyms nationwide. Purchase a day ticket to get your exercise on…
The Grand West Casino and Entertainment Centre is a 7km drive and has gaming facilities, movie theatres, a food court, various restaurants and bars, an Olympic-size skating rink, bowling alleys and arcade games.
Where to Eat
The two Italian owners of Magica Roma ensure that your meal is prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. A wide selection of wines is available to accompany your meal. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Sunny's Catering & Food Delivery Service brings you appetising Asian-style food and sushi direct to your door.The Joe Fish Seafood Restaurant is an institution in Pinelands, try the False Bay Frikkadels to experience something unusual.
Villagio Pizzeria is located in the Howard Centre mall and offers a good selection of pizzas and small kiddies menu. Open until 10pm most evenings.A 10km drive to the suburb of Parow is where the Harlequin restaurant is located, arguably one of the best Italian restaurants in Cape Town. The place attracts Italians (and lovers of Italian food) from all over the city and includes iconic dishes such as Gnocchi, Ravioli and the Antipasto al Italiana.
The Millstone Farmstall and Café at the Oude Molen Eco Village has the feel of an old, rustic farmhouse you may have once visited as a child. The breads are baked daily, the vegetables organic and the meals generous and wholesome. Outside play area for children.
Night Life
Hanover Street at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment Centre host live acts and resident DJs. Safe parking.
Lower Main road in the nearby suburb of Observatory (5km) and the lively streets surrounding Claremont’s shopping centre (8km) are both areas with a profusion of dance & club venues.
Where to Stay
The peaceful surroundings of Pinelands provide an idyllic location for a stayover. Accommodation options are varied and range from elegant guest houses to fresh backpacker lodges.
Transport
Air The nearest airport is Cape Town International, 12km from Pinelands.
Trains There are two train stations in Pinelands.
Car Rental Cape Town has many car rental agencies; however, car rental bookings can be organised online.
TaxisSeveral metered taxi companies operate from bases nearby. If you have the Uber app, order a taxi via your mobile phone.Easy Airport Transfers are based in Pinelands and offer shuttle services between Cape Town and the airport.Pinelands is a mere 12 minutes away from the centre of Cape Town.
Did you know?
Camels brought in by the British during the 1899-1902 South African War were abandoned in Pinelands and later trained here by the South African Post Office to take up postal duties in the Kalahari Desert.
The sprawling head office complex of Old Mutual, one of South Africa’s top 3 insurance companies, is based in Pinelands. Microsoft’s Cape Town office is based here too.
Pinelands was once a forestry station. Many of the pine trees from the original plantation are still present in Pinelands.
Prior to the construction of the concrete canal in the 1960s, the Elsieskraal River would form rapids and small waterfalls at the entrance into the Black River (south of Pinelands), a river course much loved by canoeists.
