Put on some comfy shoes and go walkabout at the V&A Waterfront, as a free audio-guided walking tour now highlights some of the special features of this historic property.
The one hour tour is easy to access on one’s smartphone or tablet, and allows listeners to pop their device in a pocket or bag and tune into the audio via headphones as you stroll the route.
Download the app
Visitors can download a VoiceMap app (available for download on Android and iOS), search for and download the ‘Reinventing the Tavern of the Seas’ tour, plug in their earphones, and tap ‘start’!
The tour begins at the V&A Information Centre (close to the Amphitheatre and Cape Wheel) and ends at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in the Silo District.
A GPS connection ensures that your audio always matches where you are on the property – no matter your walking pace. If anyone veers too far off course, the GPS location will ensure the audio reminds them to return to the tour route. Additionally, the use of GPS means that, once the app and tour are downloaded, visitors can switch off their mobile data and don’t need an active internet connection for the tour.
Seeking to answer FAQs, and educate visitors about the locale’s heritage, the tour’s content covers some of the V&A Waterfront’s best-known attractions, providing snippets of interest for history and trivia buffs.
“The heritage of the V&A Waterfront is woven into the very fabric of the property, with most buildings and structures around us having important historical significance. This history – which is an integral part of the history of Cape Town – can often be forgotten in the rush of modern life. We worked hard to develop a meaningful, educational, interesting audio tour for our visitors to ensure that anyone interested in this history, can explore it at their leisure,” says David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.
The walking tour draws attention to the likes of shipping containers and unfinished highways, and visitors also learn about the humble beginnings of this contemporary space, starting in 1989 with Ferryman’s Tavern, and are also introduced to some of the characters who’ve helped shape the property’s evolution.
Tour details
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Location: Start at the V&A Waterfront Information Centre, and finish at the Zeitz MOCAA in the Silo District
What you need
A smartphone or tablet
Internet connection (for download only)
Earphones
Note: Free earphones and wifi are available from the Info Centre – ask for earphones and the wifi password
How to download and use
Download and install the VoiceMap app
Sign up using Facebook or email
Select Cape Town
Select and download the free tour ‘Reinventing the Tavern of the Seas’
Once the tour has downloaded,plug in your headphones, tap tstart’
Note: The VoiceMap app works offline and uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place
VoiceMap’s CEO Iain Manley adds: “I get proud about what’s been achieved here. I’ve been to similar developments around the world and none feel as much like a working harbour as the V&A Waterfront. We haven’t focused on individual tenants, but how the districts developed.”
End point is the Silo District
Interest in the Silo District is gaining momentum, and foot traffic has increased from the CBD. The Zeitz MOCAA is obviously a huge draw card and as the walking tour ends here, Zeitz MOCAA patrons can also now enjoy the gallery’s latest African fusion bistro, Zeitz MOCAA Food.
“The menu changes frequently to showcase local suppliers and chefs. We have two to three new dishes weekly, and every three months a completely different menu. We have a diverse market – locals looking for a light lunch, and foreigners who want an amazing experience,” says Manager Rustum Blake.
What: V&A Waterfront free GPS audio tour
Where: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
Web: www.waterfront.co.za
Zeitz MOCAA Food reservations: www.zeitzmocaafood.com
WS
