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EXPLORE THE OVERBERG
DAY TRIPS FROM GANSBAAI
ELIM
A unique historical village, situated halfway on the fynbos road from Gansbaai to Bredasdorp. It was founded as a Moravian mission station in 1824 dedicated to establishing a self-supporting church of indigenous people. Dominated by the “Kerkwerf”, the area around the beautifully maintained historical church, the village consists of neat rows of cottages on more or less equal plots, the majority of which date back to the 19th century. The houses are built of mud-brick, plastered with lime plaster made of sea shells and originally thatched with “restio-grass”, harvested from the surrounding Fynbos.
The working water mill, which used to grind the flour for the local bakery, has been restored to its original historical state. The local museum, with a collection of historical handicraft, shows the history of the village with a large collection of historical photos. The museum is situated in the original mission store. The original school building, a dark-red plastered building, now houses the municipal library, in front of it, as far as we know, the only monument celebrating the abolition of slavery (in 1835) in South Africa.
BAARDSKEERDERSBOS
In 1660 it first entered written record notably due to a small spider like creature called Baardscheerder (Beard Shaver) that was known for cutting human hair to make its nest. Today the locals refer to it as B’bos and is home to a growing artist community and other interesting folk looking for an alternative life.
STANFORD
A charming Victorian village next to the Klein River, at the foot of the majestic Klein River Mountains. Over the weekend it comes to life with a good selection of little restaurants and bric and brac browsing.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
- Boat trip on river & lagoon (need to book)
- Go for a walk along the Klein River, excellent Bird watching
- Explore the Junk/antiques shops & galleries
- Birkenhead Brewery – for beer tasting (on R326)
- Panthera Africa – Big Cat Sanctuary – pre-booking essential
- Klein Rivier Dairy – Cheese for tasting & picnic in season on the R326 (closed sun)
- Raka & Boschrivier Vineyards for some local wine tasting on the R326 (closed sun)
- Saturday market—10 to 12
- Stanford Hills – wine tasting & lunch
- Robert Stanford Estate – wine tasting & lunch at Madre’s
- Springfontein Wine tasting, lunch & dinner
BEST PLACES TO HAVE LUNCH OR DINNER
- Ou Meul Bakkery – (L:)
- Havercroft’s (L: fri, sat & sun)
- Springfontain Eats (L: thur – sun) (D: tues – sat)
- Graze – (L: sat ) (D: fri )
HERMANUS
Originally a fishing town, Hermanus has now developed into the best known tourism hub of the Overberg. Especially in season, Hermanus is so popular with both South African and overseas tourists that parking becomes the same challenge as in big cities. If you like shopping, Hermanus is the place to be.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
- Hemel & Aarde Valley for wine tasting: Bouchard Finlayson, Newton Johnson Wines, Creation Wines
- Hemel & Aarde Village – Great Wine Shop, Galleries, Pottery studio, HPF Hermanuspietersfontain Wine Cellar
- Hermanus village square & surroundings for arts, craft and clothing. Funky Vibes for good selection of music (where most of our music can be found)
- Saturday Food Markets – HPF (9h00 till 13h00) & Hermanus Country Market 8-12
- Cliffpath meanders along the coast of Hermanus, 7km
- Fernkloof Fynbos reserve for well-marked hiking trails
- Hermanus Golf Course
- Just Pure – 100% natural body products
BEST PLACES TO HAVE LUNCH OR DINNER
- Harbour Rock in the new harbour. –Seafood & sushi and a great view
- Creation Wine (Hemel & Aarde Valley) – platters and food & wine pairing
- The restaurant at Spookfontein
CAPE AGULHAS - SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN AFRICA
It’s a perfect day trip, one can do a circular route, taking the fynbos road past the hamlet of Baardskeerdersbos; fondly referred to as B’bos, through the Moravian Mission village of Elim, a National Heritage Site, onto Struisbaai & Agulhas (1½hr). When leaving the Southern tip, take the tar road (R319) straight up to Bredasdorp. From there drive the R316 over rolling Wheat and Canola fields in a quilt of green and gold (in autumn) passing through the village of Napier. Continue with the R316 till you get to the R326 turning left over the Akkedisberg Pass passed Raka Wines & Klein River Cheese to Stanford and back to De Kelders.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
- Baardskeerdersbos where we run an occasional dining restaurant, LOKAL in Bbos
- Take a walk round historical Elim
- Wine Tasting at Black Oystercatcher, Strandveld Wines
- Southernmost tip of Africa & Agulhas Lighthouse
- Detour to Arniston 150yr old fishing village, Waenhuiskrans Cave, Swimming in Indian Ocean
- Bredasdorp square, Julian’s & Kapula Candles for some shopping
- Shipwreck museum in Bredasdorp
BEST PLACES TO HAVE LUNCH OR DINNER
- Black Oystercatcher Wine Estate
- Pelicans Harbour Café in Struisbaai
- Julian’s & Bredasdorp Square in Bredasdorp
- Farm Stall & Renéessance in Napier, take a stroll down the main road. See if the Private Gallery is open.