Just because you’ve lived in the Mother City for years, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue returning to Cape Town’s top attractions. Here are some great reasons to head back to the Cape Town Big 6.

Kirstenbosch

Kirstenbosch has a great nursery which is open to the public. The Kirstenbosch Garden Centre is situated at Gate 2 and specialises in indigenous plants, and the staff are on hand to offer expert advice on a range of topics. They’ll recommend plants based on the area in which you live, the type of soil present in your garden, and they’ll alert you of other factors to take into account when purchasing plants. Planting indigenous is not only good for the environment, but it also requires very little maintenance, making it a no-brainer for your home garden.

Kirstenbosch also holds a plant fair each year, where indigenous plants are sold at great prices to raise funds for the garden. Expert Kirstenbosch horticulturalists are on hand to offer advice and assistance, and it’s a great way to spend a morning and leave with superb bargains.

If you’re a regular visitor to Kirstenbosch, or would like to become one, join the Botanical Society – it offers you unlimited access to the gardens for a year, as well as a number of other benefits.

Table Mountain

It’s no secret that there are a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy Table Mountain. You simply need to look up at the iconic mountain from anywhere in the city to realise that you could hike the mountain every day for the next year, and still not scratch the surface of what’s on offer.

If you’re a fan of exploring the mountain, but don’t have the time, or inclination, to hike up and down every weekend, then Table Mountain Cableway’s Cable Card offers an amazing way to truly explore the natural wonder without over-exerting yourself.

The card, which is available from the lower Cableway Station, offers you a return trip up the Table Mountain Cableway every day, for a year, which means it’s ideal for anyone looking for quick mid-week sunset trips and regular weekend visits, or as the ultimate incentive to reach the top after a long hike up one of the many challenging paths criss-crossing the mountain. For more information on the Cableway’s Cable Card, click here.

Cape Point

Cape Point offers a range of fantastic picnic options, which you can read about here, but there are also a number of other ways in which to continue to explore Cape Point through new eyes each time, and without breaking the bank.

The My Green Card is your best bet if you truly want to get to the heart of Cape Point. It costs just R105, and provides the holder with 12 free entries into Cape Point and any other Table Mountain National Park pay points, including the popular pre-Cape Point stopover, Boulders Penguin Colony. With your My Green Card in hand, you’re free to explore the wild, deserted beaches, amazing hiking trails and various overnight options at your leisure, for just a fraction of the cost.

Groot Constantia

Wine tasting at Groot Constantia is an experience that continues to draw regular local visitors – it’s an amazingly cost effective way to spend a morning, and get to grips with some of the country’s best wines. And with a new chocolate pairing, that’s taken 6 months to perfect, there’s just one more reason to revisit this superb estate.

And while you’re there, the new popup restaurant BB’Ques is getting rave reviews and is already a local favourite. This home-style grill serves up the best of America’s Deep South style cuisine, and it’s located right next door to Simon’s, in the heart of Groot Constantia.

V&A Waterfront

Most locals experience the V&A Waterfront on a regular basis as a shopping and entertainment hub. There’s an impressive array of stores, and the entertainment – in the form of a cinemas, regular free concerts outdoor concerts, and now a fantastic comedy club – will keep you coming back regularly.

The Two Oceans Aquarium is another amazing option that is often overlooked by local Capetonians. As a constantly evolving aquarium there are regular updates to the displays and exhibits, and getting a few centimetres away from giant predators will never get old. If you’re a fan of aquatic life, the Two Oceans Aquarium Solemates membership is the only way to go – it offers you free entry into the aquarium for an entire year, along with a number of other incredible specials and offers, including discounts at the store, café and the predator tank diving experience. For more information on the Solemates membership, click here.