- Grabouw
Apple, mountain bike and adventure country.
- Greyton
Rural tranquillity and quaint country scenes.
- Betty's Bay
One of those places that grew up as a holiday home from home.
- Kleinmond
Because of its isolation Kleinmond was an outlaws’ stronghold for some 200 years. Nestled between two estuaries and bordered by fynbos covered mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Kleinmond is an appetising stop for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s a hikers paradise, and with consistently good swell, not bad for surfers either.
- Hermanus
This is one of Cape Town's favourite weekend getaway spots. It has lots of good, long beaches and a humping social scene over weekends and in season.
- Fisherhaven
10 kilometres outside Hermanus.
- Gansbaai
Named after the wild geese in the area, this small fishing village is renowned for its shark cage diving and spectacular whale watching. The cliffs at De Kelders offer good viewing all the way along the coast to Pearly Beach.
- Bredasdorp
Situated 25km north of Cape Agulhas, Bredasdorp is a centre for wool, grain and dairy farming and lying in the heart of the Overberg, you’ll certainly know that you are in the “bread basket” of Africa…
- NapierWC
A tranquil and quirky country village.
- Cape Agulhas
The true southernmost tip of the continent. Is it really where the two oceans meet? Go there to see for yourself.
- Arniston
This lovely little fishing village is set against an backdrop of impossibly blue seas and whitewashed cottages. Meander down to the harbour and choose a fish fresh off the boats, or take a walk to the caves and shout something you’d like to hear a few times.
- Riversdale
Set halfway between Cape Town and Knysna, this little town boasts some classic country attractions.
- Montagu Western Cape
Situated on Route 62, the road to wine and roses, this charming little village lies snoozing in the embrace of the mountains.
- Witsand
Known as the whale nursery of the East Coast, with the largest concentration of whales on the South African coastline, Witsand is at the mouth of the Breede River. It’s a peaceful town with excellent fishing.
- Robertson
This little town in the Breede River Valley is on Route 62, one of the longest wine routes in the world.
- Barrydale
Barrydale is situated at the top of the Tradouw pass and is on the R62
Swellendam lies beneath some of the most spectacular peaks in the Langeberg range. These peaks used to be used as sundials by the farmers who called them 10, 11, 12 and 1 o'clock. Today, old oak trees, wide roads and whitewashed homesteads recall Swellendam’s past as a frontier town. From here there’s easy access to a myriad outdoor wilderness experiences.
Swellendam is close to the De Hoop, Bontebok and Marloth National Parks and well worth visiting just for its charming beauty but especially if you’re into hiking.
The town was established in 1746 and is the third oldest white settlement in South Africa, after that of Cape Town and Stellenbosch. For a memorable three months in 1795, Swellendam was one of the capitals of the world. Its citizens - enraged at misrule by the Dutch East India Company - dismissed their magistrate, declared an independent republic and appointed a president. Soon afterwards however, the British occupied the Cape and the rebel republic - all twenty houses scattered along the valley of the Korenslands River - faded back into obscurity.
The backpackers in town has been around for years and they offer an awesome service.
Places to Stay
- Swellendam Backpackers Lodge
Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam Backpackers is set on a massive property with its own mountain stream.
