A Whale of a Town Trivia Quiz

Answer: Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean runs down the west coast of South Africa before it meets the Indian Ocean at Cape Agulhas which is the southernmost point of Africa, which is about 145 kilometers east of Hermanus.

Answer: Grotto Beach

Grotto Beach is the longest and biggest beach in the area stretching from the Klein River Lagoon to Die Plaat - a solid five hour walk. The Blue Flag programme is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education and is a voluntary eco label awarded worldwide based on criteria such as water quality, environmental management and safety and security.

Answer: Southern Right Whale

Since the moratorium on killing whales was introduced in the 1950s the once endangered species has found its numbers steadily rising. The Southern Right Whale (Eubaleana australis) is so called as it was considered the "right" whale to hunt by early whalers as it floats when dead.

Answer: Whale Crier

The first Whale Crier was Pieter Claasens and he was appointed in 1992 to alert people to the whereabouts of the whales. This is done by blowing, on a kelp horn, a series of "codes" which correspond to different points along the coast where whales have been spotted.

Answer: Hemel-en-Aarde

The Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley is noted for international award winning estates such as Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson where the climate and soils are ideal for the early ripening classic varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Answer: Champagne Air

Harley Street doctors in London used to prescribe "Champagne Air Visits" to their patients. The local farming communities of the surrounding districts used to make their way to the new town of Hermanuspietersfontein (as Hermanus used to be known) to escape the long hot summers of the hinterland and enjoy the crystalline air which today is still known as Champagne Air.

Answer: To showcase and encourage Afrikaans talent

Held in August every year, Kalfiefees achieves all of the above but its main focus is to promote and showcase Afrikaans performers. It has featured such well known personalities as David Kramer, Tobie Cronje and Marius Weyers.

Answer: It is the world's largest carnivorous plant

Fernkloof covers some 1800ha in the Kleinrivier Mountains above Hermanus and was established in 1957. Over 1600 species of plants have been identified and are stored in the Herbarium. The Vlieebos can get up to 2 meters tall and is so uncommon that is a red data book species.

Answer: Great White Shark

The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharios) is protected in South Africa and, since the film "Jaws" (1975), has become one of the world's most feared creatures. It grows up to 7 meters long and, despite its name, is not white but has a dark blueish grey back and light belly. Excursions are offered which include cage diving in Shark Alley where sharks of up to 6 metres long have been found.

Answer: Railway Station

Hermanus has no railway lines or trains. This is thanks to Sir William Hoy who was General Manager of the Railways at the time the station was built. He wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the town and blocked all attempts to extend the railway to Hermanus.

The upside of this decision was the establishment of the Magnetic Observatory here as the sensitive equipment was not disturbed the vibrations from the trains running on tracks.