Arniston |
 | 101 km from Gansbaai, lying next to the warm, turquoise Indian Ocean. "Arniston" is one of the two places in this area proudly carrying two names. Its other (and older) name is "Waenhuiskrans", named after the cave that is so big that a fully-fledged ox-wagon could easily turn around in the cave. The nucleus of Arniston, "Kassiesbaai" is still an unspoilt fishing town with traditional thatched fishing cottages. A restaurant in Kassiesbaai serves traditional fish dishes. |
Bredasdorp |
 | Situated +/90 km from Gansbaai - and the agricultural hub of the Southern Overberg. It houses the shipwreck museum - with a collection of more than 140 shipwrecks artifacts. Also worth a visit is the Heuningberg Reserve and the Kapula Candle Factory - the largest employer in the area. One of the farms outside of town grows the largest milkwood of South Africa - a national monument. |
Caledon |
 | Caledon is situated 71 km from Gansbaai - and one of the centers of wheat production in the Overberg. The roads around Caledon is the best place to spot flocks of the Blue Crane - South Africa's national bird. Flora, hot springs and hiking trails are its hallmarks. |
Cape Agulhas |
 | Cape Agulhas is the southern-most point of the African continent and the place where the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean officially meet. Cape Agulhas is reached through the coastal town of Struisbaai, thinly stretched out along a coastal road. At Cape Agulhas proper there is the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and -a short walk from the lighthouse- a plaque marking the "exact" border between Atlantic- and Indian- Ocean. Known as the "Graveyard of Ships". Cape Agulhas is part of the Agulhas National Park, an ambitious project to safeguard the enormous biodiversity in this area. |
Elim |
 |
Situated 30 km from Gansbaai, and artist's and photographer's dream founded by Moravian missionaries in 1824. Entire village has been declared a national monument. Moravian Clock and Church and Old Watermill (1833), Tearoom and Craft Centre are worth a visit. Also possibly the only monument commemorating the abolition of slavery (1835) in South Africa. There is a perfect little Guesthouse on the Kerkwerf, which enables visitors to enjoy Elim even more at leisure. |
Hermanus |
 | The home of the "whale crier" - this cosmopolitan town and its suburbs stretches out along the coast. A mere 40km from Gansbaai. If you like shopping, Hermanus is the place to be in the Overberg and there are various bars and splendid restaurants. The Klein River Mountains to the North of Hermanus are what botanist's dreams are made of. An abundance of plant-species, deep gorges and rare and localized beauties on isolated mountain tops. The Fernkloof Reserve is a short distance from town and offers stunning hikes. |
Kleinmond / Betty's Bay |
 | Lies on a small coastal belt planked by fynbos-covered mountains and the sea. A magnificent natural environment with many hiking trails, Kleinmond Lagoon; also home to the colony of Jackass Penguins at the Stony Point Reserve. The Harold Porter Botanical Gardens lie in the mountains behind the village. |
Napier |
 | Napier - 69 km from Gansbaai via Stanford
Napier is a rural village overlooking never-ending wheat-fields. It is a preferred settling place for people who have escaped city-life. When you enter Napier you will immediately feel invited to go for a stroll. There are some sympathetic places to eat or have a coffee in Napier. |
Stanford |
 | Stanford - 20 km from Gansbaai
Stanford is a charming Victorian village just off the R 43. At least you want to have driven through this town to get a glimpse of some of the beautiful old houses. You can stay longer though. Stanford is located at the Klein River that finds its outlet in the Klein River Lagoon between Stanford and Hermanus. The Klein River area is a famous birding hotspot. One can board a river-boat for a cruise over the Klein River. There are bars and good restaurants in and in around Stanford. |
Swellendam |
 | Swellendam - 143 km from Gansbaai
Swellendam connects the Southern Overberg with the Garden route. It is a must to leave the N2 to check out this old town. In every street it is still shown that Swellendam is one of the oldest settlements of colonial times. There are various restaurants and bars, a rather odd church and the best small museum in the country: The Drostdy Museum. This museum is housed in the old official buildings of the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) and shows the way of life and organization in the early days of Dutch rule.
|
