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  INFORMATION:
   OVERBERG    | BOTRIVER  | VILLIERSDORP

Province: Western Cape
Region: Overberg
Route: Overberg Meander

ROUTE 1
Begin the mountain route in Grabouw, the heart of the South African deciduous fruit industry, established as a trading station in 1856. Then through Elgin and past the 100 year old Apple museum. Drive through ever changing orchards past the popular Theewaterskloof dam with its active water sports angling and sailing. On to Villiersdorp. Established by Field Cornet de Villiers in 1843 around the farm Boradynplaas and served by five mountain passes, old and new.

As an alternative stay on the N2 past the many fine farm stalls, turn into the village of Botrivier and the historical Compangnes Drift. Then take the romantic Van der Stel pass to Villiersdorp. Leave over the dam wall and turn into the Genadendal\Greyton gravel road and wind your way along the scenic Sonderend River. Spend some time in Genadendal, established as a Moravian Mission in 1738, the first mission station in South Africa. 

Stop over in Greyton, a village that grew around irrigation channels and market gardens. Today it is an oak-lined retreat that epitomises sophisticated country life. Follow the gravel road along the majestic Riviersonderend mountains through lush farms and pastures and end the route in the Village of Riviersonderend, once an important stop on the Old Cape Wagon Way.

ROUTE 2
Start this route in the beautiful town of Swellendam near the banks of the Breede river, founded by the VOC in 1745 and the third oldest district in South Africa. For many years the capital of the Overberg, it is rich in history and character. 
Drive on to Suurbraak, originally a mission station dating back to 1809, and then through the stunning Tradouw's pass, built in 1873 by Thomas Bain, using convict labour. 

Visit Barrydale, which was established after a church was built at a crossroads shortly after the completion of the pass. Local farmers built small houses to stay in when they came to church for communion, and soon the town developed. 

Return through the pass and over the N2 to Witsand, also known as Port Beaufort, the mouth of the Breede River where some of the best land based whale watching in the world can be enjoyed. This was a very active trading area in the 1800's, and the tiny Village of Malgas, where the last hand drawn ferry in South Africa still operates, was once a thriving inland harbour. The name was originally Malagas, a Khoekhoe name from the original inhabitants of the area, but was changed to Malgas after post for the town ended up in Malaga, Spain. 

Finally head for the De Hoop Nature Reserve, where the natural fauna and flora of the Overberg still exists the way it did centuries ago.

ROUTE 3
Start this route at the foot of the Houw Hoek Pass as you enter the undulating 'ruggens en rante' or humps and bumps. This rare geological formation stretches through the entire Meadows route and gives the central Overberg its unique landscape. 
The first town on the route is Caledon, home of the famous hot springs, used for centuries by local inhabitants and thought to contain healing properties. Much of the beer produced in South Africa contains malt produced in Caledon from the barley grown in the area. 

Then follow the R316 over rolling pastures and fields to Napier and Bredasdorp. The close proximity of these towns is due to a dispute between 2 prominent men in 1838 over the site of the building of a church for the people of the area. Unable to find common ground they each built one, and hence the proximity. Napier was named after Sir George Napier, a former British Governor, and Bredasdorp after Michael van Breda, the first mayor of Cape Town. The Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum is housed in a national monument and contains fascinating displays. The area has very rich agricultural history and both the Drakensberger cattle race and modern Merino sheep were originally bred in the area. 

From Bredasdorp strike back inland and head for Riviersonderend, where a short distance from the town you will find one of the original signal cannons at Tygerhoek. This cannon was one of a series throughout the Overberg used to signal the arrival of ships to the Cape Town harbour or to warn of attack between 1695 and 1806.

ROUTE 4
Start the Coastal route by turning off the N2 after Somerset West towards Gordons Bay on the R44. Follow the mountain around to Cape Hangklip. This scenic drive is the perfect introduction to the Coastal route. The villages of Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond share a fascinating history, from the ancient heritage of the early Khoekhoe people, to a safe haven for smugglers in the 1800's, whalers in the early part of the 1900's, and then grazing and agriculture. Sandwiched between the Ocean and the high mountains this area is steeped in history and is today a popular holiday destination. 
Follow the coast to Sandbaai, Onrus and Hermanus, famous for their Southern right whales and Riviera like atmosphere. Hermanus, once known as Hermanus Pietersfontein, was named after Hermanus Pieters, a Dutch teacher from the 1930's who popularised a fresh water spring in the area. 

Drive along the lagoon to Stanford, where in 1838, Captain Robert Stanford (retired) bought the farm Klein Rivier and supplied livestock to Cape town via Stanford's Cove, near Gansbaai. This bustling village owes its existence to Die Oog, a strong fountain that facilitated vegetable crops from as far back as 1731. Continue along to Gansbaai, De Kelders and Pearly Beach. 

After a short detour on the Meadows route through the Akkedisberg Pass one links up with the Coastal route at Struisbaai with its quaint fishing harbour. On to L'Agulhas past the famous lighthouse and the stark beauty of the southernmost tip of Africa. 

Finally enjoy the rustic charm of Arniston \ Waenhuiskrans and view the tidal cave large enough to turn an ox wagon and a span of oxen. Visit the old fishing village and soak up the traditions of the area.