Wacky & Wonderful Robertson!

Robertson

Located in the foot­hills of the Langeberg Mountains, on Route 62 between Worcester and Swellendam, is the small town of Robertson. With a his­tory span­ning more than 150 years, hav­ing been foun­ded in 1853, the town has plenty to offer, des­pite only hav­ing a pop­u­la­tion in the region of 17 000 people. Many of the ori­ginal Victorian houses still line the streets, along with the Jacarandas that have earned the town the nick­name of “Jacaranda cap­ital of the Western Cape.”

The Robertson val­ley is also one of the key wine pro­du­cers in the Western Cape, and the val­ley boasts no fewer than 31 wine cel­lars, many of which have won awards for their wines. Wine and food are so import­ant in this little town that the region hosts two events ded­ic­ated to them: the annual Food and Wine Festival, and the Wacky Wine Weekend, the lat­ter being held every June. Accommodation in Robertson ranges from relaxed self cater­ing to quaint bed and break­fasts and more up mar­ket hotels, so most tastes are catered for.

Given the his­tory of the town, a must see is the Robertson Museum, housed in the mys­ter­i­ously named Druids' Lodge, or take one of the guided walk­ing tours offered by the local tour­ism author­it­ies to learn more about the vil­lage. Because of its prox­im­ity to the Breede River, many activ­it­ies on and around the water are offered, from cuisine and cruis­ing com­bin­a­tions, such as the Nerina Guest Farms Kolgans River Restaurant, offer­ing local spe­cial­ties, to the Viljoensdrift Wines and Cruises, which offers pic­nics and wine tast­ing on the water.

Canoeing, fish­ing and river raft­ing are also on offer, of for those who prefer terra firma, hik­ing trails at Arangieskop and Dassieskop, or the Vroulikheid Reserve, with its excel­lent bird watch­ing, or visit the Klaas Voogds Game Reserve, or the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve for game view­ing, either on horse back or in open four wheel drive vehicles. Other out­door activ­it­ies in the area include 4 x 4 trails, quad bik­ing at Tradouw Quad Biking and sev­eral horse rid­ing trails, as well as a well appoin­ted golf course, being developed to a full 18 holes.

Some more unique options are a visit to Birds Paradise, where 260 enclos­ures house exotic birds, prim­ates, lla­mas and other exotic anim­als, where the facil­it­ies include a dam stocked with water fowl, and a cof­fee shop, or per­haps take a trip to the cac­tus and suc­cu­lent nurs­ery. Another animal related exper­i­ence pop­u­lar with vis­it­ors to the area is a visit to one of the stud farms in the area, where one can admire and learn about the top race­horses that the area has become famed for producing.

The Soekershof Hedge Maze, regarded by some as the largest hedge maze in the world is also loc­ated here, and offers yet another unique exper­i­ence for vis­it­ors. With food, wine, water sports and other unique activ­it­ies on offer, it almost seems that this small town has it all, and any tour­ist passing through would be well advised to stop and explore this lovely old world village.

Useful Links:
More des­tin­a­tion inform­a­tion at:
Robertson Attractions
Robertson Accommodation
Things to Do in Robertson