Along the Breede River - 305km

ROBERTSON

Lying below the Langeberg in the Breede River valley, Robertson is surrounded by vineyards and orchards, while the streets of the town are lined by numerous fine Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian houses and cottages. Robertson was established in 1853, and among its historic buildings are the ‘Pink Church’ (1859), the Powder House – once used to store gunpowder – and Druid’s Lodge (1860), a long rectangular house which is now occupied by the town’s museum.

Siyabona Africa Travel recommends guest house accommodation in Robertson.

Robertson enjoys a high reputation for its wines, roses and thoroughbred horses, and is also an important producer of apricots, peaches and nectarines. With its lime-rich soil and dry climate, the Robertson Valley is one of the Western Cape’s largest wine-producing regions under irrigation. It enjoys acclaim for its excellent dessert wines, and also produces outstanding whites (notably chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and colombard).

The Robertson Valley Wine Route, embracing the Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson districts, comprises 24 wineries open to the public. The 865-ha Dassieshoek Nature Reserve lies on the northern outskirts of the town on the slopes of the Langeberg and preserves a tract of montane fynbos.

WORCESTER

Worcester is located amid rugged mountain scenery on the banks of the Breede River and is the ‘Capital of the Breede River Valley’. Worcester is a well-known education centre and one of South Africa’s most important wine-producing areas.

THE KAROO NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

The focus of the Karoo Garden, on the northern outskirts of Worcester, is the conservation of the succulent flora of the Karoo. The garden provides protection to about 400 plant species occurring naturally in the 114-ha flora reserve. About 10 ha of the garden has been developed for the cultivation of Karoo plants from the arid summer and winter rainfall areas, as well as the flora of other arid areas, such as the Richtersveld, Knersvlakte and Namib Desert. In addition to the 400 species occurring naturally, some 6 000 other arid-adapted species have been established.

Siyabona Africa Travel recommends Western Cape nature reserve accommodation

HEX RIVER VALLEY

Bounded by the Hex River and the Quadu mountains, the 22-km-long Hex River valley is a beguiling mixture of vineyards, orchards and dams. One of the most scenic valleys in South Africa, the Hex River is especially attractive in autumn, when the vineyards are transformed by a kaleidoscope of autumn hues. In winter, snow often mantles the peaks, which are dominated by the Matroosberg (2 250 m). Planted with over eight million vines on 3 500 ha under irrigation, the Hex River valley is the largest producer of export table grapes in southern Africa.

Over 50 per cent of the country’s export table grapes, mainly Barlinka, are produced here. The town of De Doorns owes its name to the many thorn bushes that grew here when stock farmers first settled the valley. For visitors travelling by train, the scenery is no less spectacular. To eliminate the many tight curves of the original railway line, a new one – featuring four new tunnels totalling 16 km in length – was brought into service in 1989.

DIE KOO and DIE KEISIE

Apples, peaches and wheat are the main agricultural products of the fertile Koo valley, nestling between the Waboomberge and the Langeberg. Named after the Koo River, a Khoi name which has been interpreted to mean ‘cold’ or ‘an edible plant’, the name is used for a well-known brand of canned fruit, jams and vegetables. To the east of Die Koo lies Die Keisie, a valley which owes its name to the Keisie River, a Khoikhoi name translated as ‘ugly’.