Riversdale

• Province: Western Cape
• District ; Garden Route
• Coordinates:34°05′49″S 21°15′44″E
• Area:100.45 km2
• Municipality: Hessequa

Riversdale is a town in the Hessequa Local Municipality of the Garden Route District Municipality. It lies inland along the N2 National Road, near the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains. Riversdale is an agricultural hub known for wheat, fruit, and dairy farming, and it serves as a service centre for surrounding communities.

History of Riversdale

Riversdale was founded as a church town on the farm Doornkraal and named after Sir Harry Rivers, who was a civil commissioner at Swellendam. It was proclaimed in 1848 and is the seat of the Hessequa municipality.  In 1849, the municipality was established with a small group of commissioners overseeing town affairs. It is considered the Westernmost point of the Garden Route and is known as the “Floral Paradise of the Garden Route.”

In 1667, Hieronymous Crüse led an expedition to the region to barter cattle with the local indigenous people. In 1792, another expedition was led by Izak Schryver, who befriended Goukou, the leader of the Hessequa people. By 1772, there were 5 cattle posts in the Overberg region, and farmers began to settle in the area. The growing number of farmers necessitated a church, so the farm Doornkraal was bought to establish one.
By 1882, there were about 250 buildings in the area. Life centred around the main street, which was planted with rows of oak trees.

The license plate prefix for Riversdale is CCC, and the postal code is 6670

local WEATHER  TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Riversdale

Things to see and do in Riversdale

• Classical Baltic Wheel labyrinth, planted with indigenous plants and succulents. 3 Long Street 028 713 1651
• The Old Jail, built in 1838, originally served as a trading post before being converted into a prison.
• In town, you will see a Class 7 steam locomotive. This is like the first ones that hauled trains when the railways reached Riversdale in 1903
• Hessequa art route
• Jurisch Park Botanical Garden
• Voetpadkloof pass
• Soetmelksrivier pass
• A prominent landmark above the town is the Sleeping Beauty peak, visible from the main road.
• Garcia’s Pass, a mountain road built in the 19th century, links Riversdale to Ladismith and the Little Karoo. The pass was named after Maurice Garcia, the town’s commissioner during the 1860s and 1870s.
• Julius Gordon Africana Museum (also known as Versfeld House)
• 
• Riversdale library mural

Resources

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

Useful Numbers in Riversdale

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

• Emergency Services

• Police: 028 713 8500.
• Fire: 028 713 2222
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital: 028 713 2445
• Pharmacy;028 713 1089

• Municipal & Utilities

• Municipality: 028 713 8000
• Emergency service number (all Hours)-084 014 1828.
• Water: 028 713 8000
• Electricity:028 713 8000

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department: 028 713 7817
• Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204

• Community & Safety

• Childline-116
• 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.
• NSRI 087 094 9774
• SPCA: Garden route 044 878 1990

• Local Contacts and Community Resources

• Museum;Julius Gordon Africana Museum-028 713 7939
• Tourism -028 713 4139
• Post office;028 713 1168
• Riversdale Sportsground: 028 713 8000
• Library:028 713 8014 / 7899

• Schools in Riversdale

• Langenhoven High School-028 713 1065
• Laerskool Volschenk-028 713 1064
• Gerrit Du Plessis Secondary School-028 713 2555
• Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale-028 713 2549
• Voorwaarts Primary School-028 713 1695
• Panorama Primary School-028 713 1086
• Molenrivier Primary School-028 713 3512