The lighthouse at Cape St Francis is one of the oldest working lighthouses on the Eastern Cape coast, a white-painted tower on a rocky headland that has been guiding ships around this stretch of coastline for well over a century. It is the landmark the whole area is named after, and it looks exactly as a lighthouse should: isolated, functional and perfectly placed against the sky.
The walk from the car park to the headland is short and easy, suitable for most fitness levels and sensible footwear. The views from up top are worth every step: east along the coast towards Jeffreys Bay, west back across the bay towards St Francis Bay village, and out over the open ocean to the horizon. On a clear day, which is most days in this part of the Eastern Cape, it is one of the better vantage points in the whole region.
The lighthouse makes a natural pair with a walk along Cape St Francis Beach, which starts from the same car park and runs south along the coast. Together they fill a morning or afternoon comfortably. If you are at Milkwood Way for more than two nights, this outing belongs on the list.
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