WHAT TO DO AND SEE

After a visit to Cape Town, the mother city, and the cape Winelands around Stellenbosch,
Franschhoek and Paarl, we invite you on a unique travelling experience to Port Elizabeth.

The route covered by this section includes the towns of
Wellington, Worcester, Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, Uniondale and Joubertina

WELLINGTON

Our tour starts in WELLINGTON in the picturesque valley next to the Hawequa mountains. It boasts a magnificent legacy of historical buildings and fine restaurants. A number of Co-operative and boutique wineries are situated on historic Hugenot farms, some with exelent examples of Cape Dutch homesteads. The area is also renowned for locally produced olives and 'waterblommetjies', an edible flower grown in water. Visit the Blokhouse, the most southerly relic of the Anglo Boer War.

Also visit:

Wamakersvallei
Wine Cellar

RAWSONVILLE

Our tour now follows the R303 and include the awe-inspiring BAINESKLOOF PASS and onto the R43, RAWSONVILLE and the scenic Slanghoek valley. An area well-known for its hot water mineral springs, 4x4 routes and canoe excursions along the Breede River and award winning wines.

Also visit:

Opstal Winery

Jasons Hill Winery

WORCESTER

WORCESTER with a rich and varied architectural heritage, museums and art galleries. Visit the Kleinplasie Living Open Air Museum and the Karoo National Botanical Gardens with its semi-desert indigenous vegitation set in landscaped gardens. Area well known for Wine and Brandy production and a large number of activity adventures.

In season, take a short detour off the R62 into the Hex River Valley for a kaleidoscope of autumn (fall) colour

Also visit:

Fairy Glen Nature Reserve

Karoo Botanical Gardens

ROBERTSON

Next on our route is ROBERTSON, also known as the "Valley of Wine and Roses" and home to a number of well known horse studs. Apart from the various architectural styles of buildings in this historic town, stroll through the Dassiehoek Nature reserve and try the quality wines from the area, experience the horse trails, mountain bike trails or 4x4 trails or traverse the rapids on the Breede River.

Alternative stopovers near Robbertson and worth a visit is McGREGOR and BONNIEVALE. (see 'other destinations')

Also visit:

Birds Paradise

ASHTON/MONTAGU

The route now leads past the village of ASHTON, through the Cogmans Kloof with Fort Sidney (another relic from the Anglo Boer War) on top of the tunnel and into MONTAGU. Known to some as little Switzerland, it is set in a fertile valley. It offers a dry and healthy climate with hot mineral water springs, game viewing drives, mountain biking, kloofing, rock climbing, 4x4 trails and many more.

Also visit:

Montagu Soetwyn

Tractor Ride to top of mountain

BARRYDALE

Next stop BARRYDALE can be reached by following one of two routes. The first, direct road, follows the R62. A more scenic alternative takes you back to ASHTON, then to SWELLENDAM, SUURBRAAK and the Tradouw Pass. (see 'other destinations' )

Also visit:

LADISMITH

Following the R62 from Barrydale, one cannot help notice the change in landscape. Past the Warmwaterberg Hot Water springs to LADISMITH, home to interesting architectural styles, numerous fruit farms and Cheese factories. Also try the hiking trails along the Klein Swartberg and up the majestic Towerkop with its split peaks.

Also visit:

Cheese Factory

CALITZDORP

Next stop, after a journey through the historical mission stations at ZOAR and AMALIENSTEIN and the spectacular Huisrivier Pass is the Port Capital, CALITZDORP. Attractions include wineries known for production of Port and other qaulity wines, ostrich farms, Bushman Rock art, mineral hot water springs, nature reserves and many more.
(see 'other attractions' for an alternative route to Oudtshoorn via the Swartberg Pass, Gamkaskloof and Prince Albert)

Also visit:

Various Wine Estates

OUDTSHOORN

OUDTSHOORN, the Ostrich Feather Capital of the world is our next stop. Here you can ride an ostrich. Visit a crock farm, touch a cheetah or dwell underground in the Cango Caves. If possible, do not miss the annual Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (March/April) for a week of cultural festivities.

(see 'other destinations' for the alternate route via the Swartberg Pass, Gamkaskloof, Prince Albert, Meiringspoort and De Rust to Uniondale)

Also visit:

Ostrich Farms

Cango Caves

Crocodile farm

UNIONDALE

Following along route 62 next brings us to UNIONDALE.

From here you have the choice of three ruotes towards Port Elizabeth.
A) The direct route, along the R62 past the fruit production areas of the Langkloof
B) The adventourous route along the Baviaanskloof (see'other destinations')
C) The scenic route over mountain passes to the coast andthen along the Garden Route (see 'other destinations')

Also visit:

Kammanassie Nature Reserve