Towns and suburbs

Grabouw

Grabouw is an agricultural town in the Elgin Valley, situated on the N2 in the Overberg and known for fruit farming and mountain surroundings.

grabouw

Grabouw is a town in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, situated approximately 65 km south-east of Cape Town. It lies along the N2 highway and forms part of the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality.

Grabouw is in the Elgin Valley, surrounded by mountains and farmland and is known for its apple and pear orchards. It is South Africa’s primary apple-producing region.

The town is near Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and Sir Lowry’s Pass, which connects the Overberg to Cape Town.

History of Grabouw

Before European settlement, the area was home to the Chainouqua Khoi, pastoralists who lived on both sides of the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

In the early colonial period, the area served as a stopping point for wagons travelling east from Cape Town. It was known as Koffiekraal and later Groenland. A post office operated at Palmiet River near De Oude Brug, a bridge built in 1811. But when the postmaster position became vacant in 1849, it remained unfilled for eight years. The position was finally filled in 1852, following the construction of a more durable bridge.

In 1856, Wilhelm Langschmidt, a German painter from Cape Town, purchased a nearby farm and established a small settlement around his wife’s trading store. He named it Grabau after his hometown in Germany, which was later changed to Grabouw.

In the early 1900s, fruit farming began to define the area. Antonie Viljoen was among the first to plant apple trees, followed by the Molteno family and other farmers. Innovative approaches, including allowing workers to grow their own orchards, helped expand production. Grabouw developed into a key centre for deciduous fruit and timber.

The town was granted municipal status in 1956 and became part of one of Southern Africa’s largest export fruit-producing regions.

In 1966, Edmond Lombardi created Appletiser on his farm, Applethwaite, further linking Grabouw to the apple industry. By the late 20th century, the local economy expanded to include wine production and tourism. The Elgin Valley is now known for cool-climate wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

The license plate prefix for Grabouw is CEO. The postcode is 7160.

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Browse businesses and places to visit in Grabouw

 

Things to see and do in Grabouw

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape: regulations, permits, and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

Useful Numbers

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

  • Emergency Services

  • Police: 021 859 7726
  • Fire: Grabouw Fire Station-021 859 5525
  • Ambulance: 084124

  • Medical

  • Closest hospital;Elgin Medical Centre-021 859 2850
  • Clinic– 021 859 1301
  • Pharmacy;021 859 3383

  • Municipal & Utilities

  • Municipality-021 859 2507
  • Electricity: 028 212 9111

  • Transport & Roads

  • Traffic department: Caledon-028 212 2878

  • Community & Safety

  • NSRI 087 094 9774
  • 24-hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.
  • Childline South Africa: 116
  • SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140
  • SPCA: Grabouw Animal Welfare Society-076 549 6601
  • Animal Clinic: 0218593082

  • Local Contacts and Community Resources 

  • Community police forum: 021 859 7725
  • Elgin Grabouw Ratepayers: 0827839267
  • Museum;Elgin Apple Museum-021 859 2042
  • Tourism 021 848 9838
  • Home Affairs: 021 859 5697
  • Post office; 021 859 3595
  • Library: 021 859 2507

  • Schools in Grabouw

  •  Grabouw High School-021 859 4203
  • Umyezo Wama Apile Primary School-021 859 522
  • Groenberg Secondary School-021 859 2127
  • Kingsway Christian School-021 859 5022
  • Pineview Primary School-021 859 3700
  • Glen Elgin Primary School-021 859 3323
  • Groenberg Primary School-021 864 1126
  • Umyezo Wama Apile High School-021 859 1049
  • Glen Elgin Primary-021 859 3323
  • St Michaels Laerskool-021 859 2429

Towns in the  Theewaterskloof district include: Bot Rivier, Caledon, Grabouw, Genadendal, Greyton, and Villiersdorp

 

  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

 

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