Touws River

• Province: Western Cape
• District: Cape Winelands
• Coordinates: 33°20′16″S 20°02′01″E
• Area: 21.62 km2
• Municipality: Breede Valley

This Touws River refers to the town, not the Touws River near Wilderness on the Garden Route

Touws River is situated in the western Karoo region of the Western Cape, approximately 180 kilometres north-east of Cape Town. The town lies east of Worcester and west of Matjiesfontein, along the N1 national road. It sits near the Touws River watercourse and at the transition between the Breede River Valley and the arid Karoo interior. Touws River is surrounded by semi-arid landscapes and low mountain ranges, with rail and road routes forming a key east–west transport corridor.

History of Touws River

Route through the mountains

This town exists because of Cape Prime Minister John Molteno and the route he chose for the railway line over the Hex River mountains. The line was needed to connect Cape Town to the minefields in Kimberly.
When Molteno consulted the engineer, he was asked which route he suggested. It is reported that he took a ruler and drew a straight line between Cape Town and Beaufort West directly through the mountains. The engineer was dubious, but Molteno insisted that was the route that the line was to go.

Establishment of the town

The Cape government railways surveyed the region and found a viable route through the mountains from Worcester to the other side of the mountain, where the town of Touws River was established. The line from Worcester to Matjiesfontein was opened for traffic on the 7th of November 1877. The station “Montague Road” was where the track crossed the River, and the station was named Touws River in 1883. for the Ladismith locomotives that were changed here after the climb over the mountain. From 1924, the Touws River was also a junction. The opening of the Hex River tunnel reduced the importance of the depot at Touws River.

Touws is Khoi for ash

“Touws” is derived from a Khoi word for Ash. It is not known for sure if this refers to the Ash bushes or the colour of the soil. The Touws River was sometimes known as the Ash River.
This is a quiet town surrounded by farms and nature reserves. There are also old steam engines on display, harking back to the glory days of steam locomotive transport.

The license plate prefix for Touws River is CW, and the  postal code is 6880

Things to see and do in Touws River

• Burgers Pass (Koo Pass)
• Aquila Private Game Reserve is the home of the Big 5 as well as a significant amount of other wild game, which roam freely on the reserve. Join a sunset tour for an unforgettable wildlife experience.+27 (0) 21 430 7260

Resources

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

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