Wolesley – Colour Dots

Fynbos Café and Farmstall

carynkaleido — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:24:31 +0000

Fynbos Café and Farmstall is a delightful country Café offering you delicious lunches, snacks and the most delicious all-day breakfasts. From a full to a mini breakfast, to spicy beans with melted cheese on toast cakes. Wolesley

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Fynbos Guest Farm and Animal Sanctuary

carynkaleido — Wed, 08 May 2024 09:00:39 +0000

Fynbos Guest Farm and Animal Sanctuary is a 64-hectare retreat of farm land, fynbos and renosterbos. We have self-catering cottages, Bed & Breakfast, caravan and camping facilities. Part of the farm is the Animal Sanctuary, started in 2006. We have given a home to various animals in need. From zebras, llamas, alpacas, to horses, ostriches and springbok, and a whole lot of other interesting furry and feathered friends. A wonderful family outing. Most of the animals you will see on our farm are rescues, even the cat! There are 2 DIY walks through the natural renosterveld and fynbos, a beautiful Labyrinth, an exquisite glass meditation room, gardens, a shoppe and a Café & Farmstall. Day visitors, by appointment only peter@fynbosguestfarm.co.za. 1 Boontjies River Road, Wolseley, Facebook

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Hoogwater farm

carynkaleido — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 09:29:06 +0000

Hoogwater Farm has a lovely outdoor activity for all. You can pick a wide variety of fruit during the summer months, including apples, nectarines, peaches, and figs. Plus you can eat as much as you want while in the orchards at Hoogwater Farm. Find other places to pick fruit and flowers here R43, Hoogwater Farm, Wolseley,

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Kluijieskraal MTB route

carynkaleido — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:47:10 +0000

The Mountain bike trails Kluijieskraal MTB route includes river crossings and passes waterfalls. This trail is a 41 km circular route. It is a challenging one with steep uphill sections and rocky technical descents. The route takes about 3 hours to finish. While the river water is drinkable, it is suggested that you take plenty f water to keep you going on this tough ride. There are no ablutions, and cell reception is intermittent. There are, however, a couple of alternative shorter routes and one longer route, 14km, 21km, and 63km. Get a map from Demars Bike Shop where you can pick up a permit 082 835 76 25 Get there Kluijieskraal MTB route On the N1 from Cape Town, before reaching Worcester, turn left on the R43, direction Ceres. Turn right at the T-junction at Bergsig Wine Cellar and then left again to Wolseley. Proceed to the Pine Valley /Voortrekker Road Corner and turn left towards the railway bridge (50m down the road), and cross the railway bridge to the T-junction. Turn left at the T-junction. 600m further on, the road surface becomes gravel. After 1.8km, you will see the sign for the Kluitjieskraal offices. Turn left and follow the sign to the parking area. This is where the trail starts. GPS: 33°25’33.5”S 19°10’49.7”E Wolesley

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Metro Rail

carynkaleido — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 09:24:16 +0000

Metro Rail is a public transport provider in Greater Cape Town that operates train lines. The Metro Rail Western Cape has 6 train lines in Cape Town and services 124 train stations. Find the train Schedules here See schedules app here. Find out the train lines, schedules and stops of Metrorail Western Cape. The trains operate from 4 am to 7 pm Transport Information Centre: 0800 65 64 63 (all hours) Transport.Info@capetown.gov.za

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Michell’s Pass Old Tollhouse

carynkaleido — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:03:00 +0000

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹’𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 Tucked beneath ancient oak trees on Michell’s Pass near Ceres stands the Old Tollhouse, a quiet witness to nearly two centuries of history, travellers, and ghostly whispers. By the late 1700s, colonists used a steep and hazardous wagon track known as the Old Kloof Road to cross the mountain. Increased farming output from the Ceres area in the early 1800s created a need for a safer transport route. Construction of the new road began in 1846 under Charles Collier Michell, the Surveyor-General of the Cape Colony. It was completed in 1848 using convict labour and was named Michell’s Pass after him. Andrew Geddes Bain did not build Michell’s Pass; he later made road improvements in the region and constructed Bains Kloof Pass nearby (completed in 1853). Michell’s Pass remained a key transport route until the Michell’s Railway Tunnel opened in 1876, forming part of the railway line between Worcester and Ceres. The Tollhouse to fund road maintenance. was built shortly after the completion of Michell’s Pass in 1848. From 1 January 1849, tolls were collected here on every wagon, cart, and animal that passed through. The rates were precise: three pence per wheel of a four-wheeled vehicle, one penny per pack animal, and a halfpenny for each sheep, goat, or pig. The pass significantly improved access to the interior and supported trade in wheat, fruit, and livestock from the Ceres area. When diamonds were discovered in the north, Michell’s Pass became the main route from the Cape to the Diamond Fields. Wagons rattled through day and night, carrying fortune-seekers and goods from Ceres Station, now Wolseley, across the mountains. The pass, named after Cape surveyor-general Charles Michell, featured the Grey Bridge, a 12-metre stone span across the Breede River, later replaced by the Witbrug after floods destroyed the original. Before Bain’s pass, Jan Mostert had built the first route to Ceres in 1765, the rough and narrow Mostertshoek Pass. Michell’s Pass changed everything, making the journey easier and connecting Ceres to Tulbagh, Worcester, and the Breede River Valley. The Old Tollhouse remained in use for nearly a century until a modern concrete road opened on 31 March 1946. Parts of Bain’s stone retaining walls still line the pass today, reminders of his craftsmanship and vision. But not all of the Michell’s Pass Old Tollhouse stories are about engineering. Local folklore says the Old Toll House on Michell’s Pass is haunted. Over the years, it has had many residents, and some say one who never left. Staff at the bistro that once operated there in 2009 spoke of a gentle presence they called Nellie, a young Victorian woman seen drifting through the rooms and along the veranda. . Another story tells of a toll keeper who once lived there with his wife in the 1800s. Legend has it that the wife died under mysterious circumstances and was buried nearby. Soon after her death, travellers began reporting strange happenings around the toll house. Many claimed to see a silent woman in old Cape colonial dress appear beside the road at night, vanishing moments later. Others spoke of unexplained knocks on the toll house door or footsteps heard inside when no one was there. The woman’s identity has never been proven, and no official record links a death to the building. Still, the tale endures in Ceres as one of its best-known ghost stories. Now, the little cottage stands quietly, its whitewashed walls fading and timbers weathered. Though forgotten by most who rush past, it remains one of the oldest and most atmospheric landmarks on Michell’s Pass — a relic of Bain’s genius and a keeper of restless tales from South Africa’s early roadways. Ceres Updated October 2025

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Ramkiekie Plaasmark

carynkaleido — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:56:45 +0000

Ramkiekie Plaasmark/Market at Mountain Ridge Wines in the beautiful Witzenberg area about 10 km from the town of Wolseley. A country market for everyone to join every second weekend of the month offering crafts, food, wine, cash bar, children’s activities, and music. De Liefde Road, 6830 Wolseley

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Route 62

carynkaleido — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 13:22:59 +0000

Route 62 is one of South Africa’s most scenic and historically significant road routes. It runs through the Western and Eastern Cape, offering a shorter, more varied alternative to the N2 highway, which was completed in 1958. The R62 route between Cape Town and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is around 70 kilometres shorter than the coastal route. It follows sections of the provincial road and passes through the Breede River Valley, the Klein Karoo and parts of the Langkloof, linking farming towns, wine regions, mountain passes and historic settlements. Route 62 is popular with self-drive travellers who prefer inland scenery and quieter roads. Route 62 is considered the longest wine route in the world, but it offers more than wine tasting. Along the route are museums, cultural sites, craft markets, antique shops and historic churches. The combination of mountain passes, farmland, historic towns, and biodiversity offers outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, and caving. Accommodation ranges from farm stays and self-catering cottages to guesthouses and small hotels, making it easy to explore the route at a relaxed pace. Take in the hospitality of the towns below. Click on the town name to read more about each one. Paarl, Wellington, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Ceres, Worcester, Robertson, McGregor, Bonnievale, Ashton, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, Prince Albert, Swellendam, Uniondale, and Haarlem. Excellent road conditions and frequent towns make Route 62 well-suited to self-drive travel. The western section of Route 62 begins near Ceres, a major fruit-producing area at the foot of the Cederberg Mountains. From here, the road runs through Worcester and Robertson in the Breede River Valley, one of South Africa’s most productive wine and fruit regions. The Robertson Wine Route forms part of the wider Breede River Wine Route, often described as the longest wine route in the world. Wine estates, brandy distilleries, orchards and vineyards line this stretch of the journey. Montagu lies near the heart of Route 62 and marks the transition into the Klein Karoo. Surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges, Montagu is known for its historic architecture, hot springs and dry, healthy climate. The town is a base for hiking, cycling, nature walks and 4×4 routes, as well as a popular stop for food, wine and brandy tastings. From Montagu and nearby Bonnievale, Route 60 links back to the N2 via Swellendam, another historic Cape Dutch town and a gateway to Cape Agulhas and the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Beyond Montagu, the landscape becomes drier as the route enters the Klein Karoo. The Langeberg Mountains form a natural barrier between the fertile Breede River Valley and the semi-arid interior. A series of rugged mountain passes connect this region to the Great Karoo and the Garden Route, including Seweweekspoort, Huisrivier Pass, Robinson Pass and the Swartberg Pass. These passes are highlights of the route and showcase the area’s dramatic geology. Barrydale is one of the best-known small towns along Route 62. Located at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, it is unexpectedly green compared to the surrounding Karoo landscape. The town is known for its creative community, roadside stops, local brandy production and relaxed pace of life. Further east lies Ladismith, set beneath the Swartberg Mountains, followed by the historic mission settlements of Amalienstein and Zoar, where many residents still maintain traditional lifestyles. After taking part in these outdoor activities, there are also several areas with hot springs where you can relax. Calitzdorp is a key stop in the Klein Karoo and is widely known as South Africa’s Port wine capital. The town is home to several wine cellars that specialise in fortified wines, as well as red, white and dessert wines. Calitzdorp is also recognised for its indigenous flora, particularly succulents. The surrounding area supports hundreds of succulent species, many of which are endemic to the region, making it of interest to botanists and plant enthusiasts. With the completion of the N2 highway in 1958, Cape Route 62 has become the road less travelled, but is recommended, and you will be welcomed in the villages along the way. Oudtshoorn, the largest town on this section of Route 62, was once the global centre of the ostrich feather industry. Many grand Victorian-era homes, often referred to as “feather palaces, remain well preserved. Oudtshoorn is also the gateway to the Cango Caves, an extensive system of limestone caverns with guided tours that explore large chambers, stalactites and stalagmites deep within the Swartberg Mountains. North of Oudtshoorn lies Prince Albert, a small town at the base of the Swartberg Pass. Known for its Karoo hospitality, water furrows, gardens and orchards, Prince Albert is a quiet stop well suited to walking, stargazing and sampling local produce such as olives, cheese and wine. Continuing east, Route 62 skirts the Kammanassie and Kouga mountain ranges before entering the fertile Langkloof valley, one of South Africa’s oldest agricultural regions. Wine Farms on Route 62 Route 62 passes through some of the Western Cape’s best-known wine-producing regions, including Robertson, Worcester, Ashton, Montagu, Barrydale, and Calitzdorp. Stretching from the Cape Winelands into the Little Karoo, the route is known for its scenic mountain passes, historic towns and diverse wine styles. The region produces a variety of wines, from crisp white wines and full-bodied reds to the port-style wines for which Calitzdorp is famous. Many wine farms along Route 62 offer tastings, restaurants, accommodation and cellar tours, making them popular stops for travellers exploring one of South Africa’s most iconic road-trip destinations. Browse our list of Route 62 wine farms, or learn more about the story of wine-making in the Western Cape. Read more See Tips for road trips See some other scenic drives and road trips, and browse the complete Western Cape guide FAQs about Route 62 1. What is Route 62?Route 62 is a scenic inland route between Cape Town and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), known as South Africa’s answer to the USA’s Route 66. It passes through mountain passes, vineyards, and semi-desert landscapes in the Klein Karoo. 2.

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Seven Oaks Winery

carynkaleido — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 19:40:17 +0000

Seven Oaks Winery is a working wine farm, and both white and red wine grapes are grown on 55 hectares of vineyards. The Seven Oaks vines are rooted in river-worn sandstone boulders and gravel-mixed soil with varying amounts of sand and clay. Our rainfall is mainly during the winter, with the occasional snow-capped mountains towering over the valley to ensure that the vines are dormant in winter. With a typical Mediterranean climate, the summers are warm, dry, and windy, with the hottest months promoting the ripening of the grapes during January and February. Due to the topographical diversity over short distances, the soils vary, resulting in different tastes in the same cultivar block. Stay at Seven Oaks Winery and Vineyard Cottages: Select one or more of our four self-catering cottages and escape into nature, situated amongst the vineyards. The cottages are 1,6 km from the nearest tar road and have uninterrupted views of the magnificent surrounding mountains Seven Oaks Farm Off R43, Wolseley, . .

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Voelvlei Nature Reserve and dam

carynkaleido — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:53:19 +0000

Voëlvlei Nature Reserve is situated in the Tulbagh Wine Valley between Tulbagh and Wolseley at the foot of the Winterhoek Mountains. The Voelvlei dam with its 10-metre high and 2,910 metres long wall covers 1,524 hectares it has a capacity of 168,000 megalitres and was built in 1952. Water from the reservoir is supplied to water treatment works of the City of Cape Town and the West Coast District Municipality. It can also be released into the Berg River for agricultural purposes or to fill the Misverstand Dam. The dam was constructed to increase the capacity of the Voelvlei Lake, within a natural depression. The farm on which the dam was built had been in the Walters family since 1734. The farm was expropriated in 1948, and the amount of 44 thousand pounds was paid. Fish found here include carp, sharptooth catfish and bass. Freshwater fishing species in the Western Cape are explained in our illustrated guide Fishing code of practice Read about the dams of the Western Cape and find a comprehensive list of the principal Western Cape dams Voelvlei supports a big bird colony and there are masses of birdwatching opportunities. The Western Cape is home to hundreds of bird species. For full identification and seasonal details, see this comprehensive Western Cape bird guide. Latitude: -33.3751783 Longitude: 19.0661253 Tulbagh .

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