Behind it lies the Green Point Common, where numerous playing fields and a golf course are situated.

In the early 18th century ships were often swept ashore in Table Bay and the then governor decided that a breakwater (mouille in French) was needed to protect vessels at anchor.

All farmers who delivered their goods to the city were required to load up their wagons with stones, drive out to Mouille Point and offload.

Slaves and convicts were used to build the breakwater but after three years of labour and high seas, just 100m had been built and the project was abandoned.

For many years (c. 1960s) there was, opposite the lighthouse, a drive-in roadhouse named "The Doll House", where people used to go for a snack and coffee during the day, or after a movie at night, which was served on a tray clipped to the window of the vehicle.