Since the extensive redevelopment of Cape Town's historic waterfront in the early 1900s, the old harbour has been transformed from a forlorn dockland into the city's most vibrant attraction.

The development is centred on the old Alfred and Victoria basins, which were completed in 1870 and 1905 respectively.  These are both still working harbours, and it is this authentic nautical atmosphere together with excellent tourist facilities, that makes the waterfront such an interesting place to visit.

Informative storyboards are located at strategic positions, providing an insight into the colourful history of the harbour and its workers.  Highlights of the waterfront include an undercover craft market, a huge food emporium, a brewery, the elegant Victoria Wharf shopping centre, a theatre, a new marine aquarium, two floating museums, guided walks, boat trips, live entertainment, luxury hotels and many fine restaurants and pubs.

The penny ferry is a rowing-boat service that has been used since 1914 by workers wishing to cross 'The Cut', the original entrance to Cape Town harbour.

* The octagonal Gothic-style clock tower, built in 1882, has a tide-gauge mechanism which once allowed passing vessels to determine the ebb and flow of the harbour waters.  Time Ball Tower nearby enabled navigators on ships to set their clocks as the time ball dropped at noon.

* Robinson Graving Dock, opened in 1882, was built to accommodate tall ships and is still in use today.

* Early last century, a great number of obsolete ship's guns were offloaded at the Cape.  Many of the yellow painted bollards on the waterfront were made from the muzzles of old cannons, which were cut in half and set into the ground.

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