• marvellous-montagu-attractions-hometown

    Marvellous Montagu Attractions: Visit My Hometown

    1 March 2026 - By 

    Founded in 1851 on the farm, Uitvlucht, and named after then-Colonial Secretary of the Cape, John Montagu, Montagu is a small dorpie in the Western Cape where I grew up. For nearly 15 years, my daily life involved knowing this town and its surrounds, streets and small shops in tedious detail. As a child, it was a fun place to live. As a teenager and adolescent, it was stifling. But now, as a wiser adult and a mother myself, I can see why people want to raise their children here. It’s a town where the world functions at a slower…

  • struisbaai-overberg-town-tamlyn-amber-wanderlust

    To Struisbaai and Back: My Darling Overberg Coastal Town

    1 February 2026 - By 

    Whenever people ask me what my favourite Overberg beach or Western Cape coastal town is, there’s always a resounding favourite. In fact, before they can even finish asking the question, I have fired out a single name: Struisbaai. And I say it with the all-seriousness of a true ocean lover. If they even know about this small coastal town, they usually have a follow-up question, “Why Struisbaai; what makes it so special to you?” Honestly, I don’t have any singular, clear answer to that. It’s a mystery even to me sometimes but it’s undoubtedly my happy place, my favourite beach…

  • rose-garden-cape-winelands

    Dreamy Gardens to Explore Year-Round Near the Cape Winelands

    5 January 2026 - By 

    I love all things garden-related and over the years, I have had the pleasure of exploring many wonderful gardens in and around Cape Town and the Western Cape. Some have been during special, annual Open Garden events while others have come from impromptu solo missions. Regardless of the occasion, the Cape has some glorious gardens to explore. And in this post, I share my pick (so far) of the best gardens to explore year–round near the Cape Winelands! Cape Winelands’ Gardens for Every Season Gardens are always great during spring and summertime. But I want to show that in the…

  • de-hoop-collection-family-getaway

    A Magical, Tranquil Family Getaway at De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve

    14 November 2025 - By 

    For several years, a visit to and stay at De Hoop Collection Nature Reserve has been on my bucket list. Despite being invited to stay a few years ago now, it seemed destined to never happen. But eventually, our little family (with baby in tow) was able to enjoy the most special family getaway at this beautiful part of the Western Cape. In this post, I share the highlights from our stay at De Hoop Collection, along with our cherished experience of this South African nature reserve. Please note: While the natural area is maintained by Cape Nature, all tourist…

  • koppie-alleen-bites-beach-cafe

    My Best Gems in the Cape Overberg Region

    4 November 2025 - By 

    The Cape Overberg Region is one of the most verdant, beautiful and untamed parts of South Africa. With everything from seasonal whale watching and cheery canola fields to pristine cape nature, hikes and some wonderful wine farms and beaches, this special part of the Western Cape offers plenty to enjoy. In this post, in no particular order, I look at some of my favourite gems that I have unearthed in the stunning Cape Overberg Region. From cosy, family- and pet-friendly accommodation stays to gorgeous hiking trails, beaches and pristine nature reserves. 1) Elgin Railway Market and Visiting Steam Train (Elgin…

  • barn-on-62-pet-friendly-accommodation-montagu

    A Cosy, Tranquil Stay in Montagu: Karoo Prinia, The Barn on 62

    6 September 2025 - By 

    Having grown up in Montagu, I was excited to show off this charming small town to my own little family and to take us on our first big Route 62 road trip. We were headed to one of the town’s most highly rated accommodation stays, The Barn on 62. This elegant, cosy accommodation stay offers several cottages and a delightful on-site café and restaurant and is perfectly situated along Montagu’s historic main street, Long Street. This meant we had the ideal base from which to explore town, especially with our baby in tow. We were originally going to also travel…

  • the-farmhouse-hotel-langebaan

    A Tranquil Family Stay at The Farmhouse Hotel in Langebaan

    21 July 2025 - By 

    Our little family’s West Coast trip continued and this time, we were off to the beautiful, historical grand old dame, The Farmhouse Hotel. Tucked further away from the town’s centre, this lovely family- and pet-friendly hotel offered us a quiet glimpse into the peaceful suburbs and life near the yacht club. With stunning views of the expansive lagoon, with distant lighthouse beacons interrupting the nighttime sky and the most beautiful sunsets we’ve seen in months, this was the perfect home base from which to further our West Coast adventure. Happily with our granny cat, Lucy, and our young baby in…

  • windtown-lagoon-hotel-west-coast

    A Dreamy Coastal Stay in Central Langebaan: Windtown Lagoon Hotel

    21 July 2025 - By 

    When you travel as much as I do (and have done over the course of my life), there are always places, people and towns that stand out to you. That retain a special place in your travel-loving heart. For me, the Cape West Coast is one such place. I love everything about it. From its pristine, almost unchecked beauty to the wild flora and fauna, the annual wild flower season and picture-perfect beaches and of course, the beautiful West Coast National Park. And yes, you guessed it: the charming coastal towns, which dot the expansive coastline like little pockets of…

  • winelands-farm-shops

    Best Cape Winelands Farm Shops

    2 January 2025 - By 

    The Cape Winelands offers visitors and locals a treasure trove of food and drink experiences, outdoor adventure and Cape history but one of the most underrated wine farm offerings are local farm shops. My Pick of the Best Cape Winelands Farm Shops to Enjoy Personally, I love a wine farm shop almost as much as any other attraction on our local wine farms – and in this post, I share why. We look at wine farm shops across the Winelands – everything from local farm grocers and wine shops to local cheese shops brimming with local delicacies. Farm Grocer, Laborie…

  • cakes-and-catering-in-cape-town-tessas-bakery

    Great Cakes and Catering in Cape Town

    13 November 2024 - By 

    Ever since starting Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust – Travel Writing and Photography blog, my goal has been to support local businesses. When the pandemic hit, I redoubled my efforts to support local in a more tangible way. Through this, I have found some incredible homemade cakes and catering services that operate exclusively in the Mother City. In this post, I share these excellent, local Cape Town-based home businesses, bakeries and catering services with you. In the hopes that they might offer something special for you and yours too. The Value of Supporting Local What started as consciously buying products from local…