Recommended daytrips from Montagu

Day 1: Follow the R62 towards Ashton and stop at the tunnel (1877 Thomas Bain) in the Cogmans Kloof – a declared national monument - to visit the 1899 British Fort atop the tunnel. On to Worcester (R60), the largest of the Western Cape’s three fruit and wine producing valleys. Visit Kleinplasie “Living Open Air Museum” and experience life as the pioneer’s did in years gone by. Next is the KWV Brandy Cellar, largest of its kind in the world. Drive to Tulbagh (R43/R46), a charming historical town with a wealth of Cape Dutch Architecture, and Ceres with its oak trees and beautiful architecture. Back to Montagu (R46/R318) through the KOO and Keisie Valley with breathtaking views as you drive down Burger’s Pass.

Day 2: Take the scenic R60 to Swellendam, a charming town founded as a military outpost in 1745 with buildings dating back to the 18^th and 19^th century. The Bontebok National Park is 6km south of the town. From Swellendam drive (N2/R324) through Zuurbraak, a mission station and over the magnificent Tradouws Pass to Barrydale, one of the prettiest villages on the Route 62. The road (R62) back to Montagu runs through the most fertile fruit growing area with magnificent mountain views.

Day 3: Drive the Robertson Wine route with famous wine farms like Springfield, Bon Courage, Van Loveren and Zandvliet, to mention a few.

Day 4: On Wednesdays and Saturdays an internationally famous event can be experienced. Drive to Burger’s farm (about 30km from Montagu on the R318) and take the tractor/trailer trip up the summit of the Langeberg through the most unbelievable “fynbos”. The trips normally run at 10:00 and 14:00 and an optional traditional potjiekos-lunch is served at 12:00. (bookings essential – please ask us to do it for you)

Day 5: Drive through Bonnievale and Stormsvlei to Bredasdorp (R317) and visit the Shipwreck Museum. Then on to Elim (R317), with its Moravian Church (the entire village is a national monument) where nobody may live unless they are members of the church. The old watermill (1833), the largest wooded watermill in South Africa was renovated in 1990 and is in use again to grind wheat. On to Agulhas (R319) – the southern most tip of Africa, where the needle of the compass shows no deviation between true north and magnetic north, and the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The lighthouse at Agulhas is the second oldest lighthouse in South Africa built in 1849 to resemble the Egyptian Pharaohs-style lighthouse in Alexandria. Then, on to Hermanus (R319/R316/R326) where the best land based whale watching in the world can be done. The southern right whales come to the peaceful waters of Walker Bay to mate and calve each year – arriving in June and leaving in November. From Hermanus drive via Botriver, Grabouw and Villiersdorp (R43/R321) to Worcester and then back to Montagu (R60/R62).