activities in and around montagu

Activities

Hot Springs - At Avalon Springs Resort day visitors can swim in pools fed by hot mineral springs. There are also braai areas, picnic facilities and a waterslide. Entry is from R40 per adult and R30 per child. Tel +27 (0) 23 614 1150, email reservations@avalonsprings.co.za

Tractor rides - Protea Farm offers tractor rides to the top of Langeberg Mountain with spectacular views of Robertson. Back at the farm, enjoy a three-course potjiekos lunch. This tour runs Wednesdays and Saturdays and is a 2.5 hour trip (without the Potjiekos). It costs between R35 and R80. Tel +27 (0) 23 614 3012, email: info@proteafarm.co.za, www.proteafarm.co.za

La Mont Cheese & Wine Deli - where visitors can enjoy cheese & wine pairing, an absolutely gourmet experience. La Mont is nestled on the slope of a hill, with a fantastic panoramic view from the Deli’s wooden deck. La Mont also offers freshly baked bread and locally produced delicacies and handmade products. Tel: +2 7 (0) 23 615 1929, email:lamont@lando.co.za, www.lamontcheese.co.za

Viljoensdrift Wines and River Cruises - Enjoy the peaceful setting at the Breede River with a boat cruise, and/or a picnic from the delectable deli menu. Viljoensdrift is situated on the beautiful stretch of country road (R317) between Robertson and Bonnievale. Cost for the cruise (approximately 1 hour) is R40 for adults and R15 for children (3 - 16 years). Tel +27 (0) 23 6151017, www.viljoensdrift.co.za

Nature parks and Animals

Bird-watching – Birdlife squawks, bustles and squabbles in the famous bird tree at Leidam, on the corner of Bath Street and Barry Street. Some 18 species use it as a breeding ground and more than 52 species have been identified. There is a bird hide from which to admire the show.

Montagu Nature Garden – Montagu Nature Garden is situated in Montagu South. It is well worth a visit to enjoy its stunning mountain views with eagles and other astounding nature. There is a 1.7 km circular walking trail within the garden with a stream and stretches of fast flowing water. Benches are placed along the stream at the foot of the hill and provide a welcome break after the walk. Tea and eats are served every Tuesday morning from 10.00am until 11.30am from April until end October. Parking for the elderly is available in the garden on these days, or by arrangement. For further information please contact the Montagu Information Office. For further information please contact the Montagu Information Office. Tel. +27 (0)23 614 2471), www.montagu.org.za

mountain tractor ride

[click thumbnails to enlarge]

contact us

Villa Victoria Guesthouse
26 Berg Street, Montagu
Western Cape, South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 23 614 3219
Cell: +27 (0) 83 856 3585
email:

map & directions

gps co-ordinates

33° 47' 15" S    20° 6' 33.5" E

upcoming events

Hands-on Harvest
25th - 27th February 2011
handsonharvest.com

Wacky Wine Weekend
2nd - 5th June 2011
wackywineweekend.com

Robertson Slow
5th - 7th August 2011
robertsonslow.com

Wine On River
14 - 16 October 2011
wineonriver.com

Donkey Cart Rides - Enjoy a ride on the donkey cart and experience the unforgettable sights and sounds of our village. Tickets R25 adult, R10 child, Route 62 Farmstall & Restaurant, 1 Long St, Tel +27 ( 0) 23 614 2209

Horse riding - African Game Lodge near Montagu, has a 1,5 hour horse riding trail that has proven to be popular with our horse riding enthusiasts. Cost for 1.5 hours horse riding trail is R150 for adult and R 50 for children (when they are lead around with a groom). Tel +27 (0)23 614 3176 (during office hours), www.africangamelodge.co.za

Birds Paradise in Robertson has over 260 exotic birds, monkeys, lamas, crocodiles and ponies. Also a play park and a coffee & curio shop. Open 7 days a week. Entrance is R30 adults, R 20 high school, R 15 for primary school, 4 years and under free.

Novello Alpaca Farm - is home to a small herd of gentle Huacaya Alpacas in Montagu. Open to visitors on Saturday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm. Nominal entrance fee where visitors can enjoy the unique experience of life on an Alpaca stud farm, as well as learn more about these beautiful creatures and the unique and luxurious products we design and produce from their fibres here. Tel +27 (0) 23 614 2674, email: info@novello-alpacas.com, and www.novello-alpacas.com

Museums and Galleries

Montagu Museum and Joubert House – Housed in the old Mission Church built in 1907, the museum has an eclectic and slightly eccentric collection of objects charting the town’s history. Just down the road, Joubert House depicts life in the late 1800s. Entry to both is R5. Montagu museum: 25 Long Street, Tel +27 (0) 23 614 1950. Joubert House, 25 Long Street , Tel: 27 (0) 23 614 1774, email: mmuseums@telkomsa.net.

Francois Krige Gallery – South Africa’s most renowned impressionist artist lived and worked in Montagu from 1967 until his death in 1993. Krige’s studio in Long Street has been transformed into a gallery with a retrospective selection with some of his best work. Viewing by appointment only. Tel: 27 (0) 23 614 1204 or Cell + 27 (0) 73 194 5755, 33 Long Street, Montagu.
Old Mission Church: The old neo-gothic Mission Church dates back to 1907 and displays a collection of valuable furniture, paintings and objects d'art from Montagu. Herbal remedies and herbal products for sale. 41 Long Street, Montagu.

Shopping

Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts Factory - A self guided tour through Montagu Dried Fruit factory with tasting of the products. It is just outside town on the road to Avalon Springs. They also offer a Tractor ride from its farm stall in Bath Street to an old fort on every day of the week. Tel: +27 (0) 23 614 2862, 102 Bath Street, Montagu, email montdry@lando.co.za.

Montagu Market - Featuring a mix of local craft, plants, fresh produce and much more. This is a wonderful way to spend your Saturday morning in Montagu. Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm in Euvrard Park, Bath Street. Try the apricot mustard and the cherries in vodka. Tel +27 (0) 83 494 0661, e-mail m.mmitchell@mweb.co.za.

Herbal remedies from the Joubert House Museum treats every-thing from anaemia to whooping cough. The farmers who settled in this area used the indigenous medicinal plants and herbs of the Khoi and San people. A packet of herbs costs R50. Tel: Tel: +27 (0) 23 614 1774, 25 Long Street, Montagu.

Cacti from Sheilam Cactus Farm, which has 2,000 different species of cacti, succulents and cycads and is recognized as one of the finest specimen gardens in the world. It is off the R60 between Robertson and Ashton on the Klaasvoogds West road. The garden is open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. Saturday and Public Holidays 8am - 4pm. Tel: +27 (0)23 626 4133, email: sheilam@lando.co.za, www.sheilamnursery.com

Mirihof Olive Farm - Buy your olives, olive oil and delicious tapenade at Mirihof Guest House and Olive Farm situated in Long Street in the heart of Montagu. Tel: +27 (0) 23 614 2512, 3A Long Street, Montagu.

Klipdrift Gold Brandy is only available from the Klipdrift distillery in Robertson. It is a multi-award-winning blended potstill brandy at a ridiculously good price (R240) and makes an excellent gift. The distillery also offers tours, tastings and a restaurant. Tel +27 (0) 23 626 3027, Vortrekker Road (Main Road) Robertson.

Wine, and lots of it! If you run out of time to visit all the wine farms, the wine shop next to the Total garage in Ashton has most local wines at cellar prices.

Wine farms

Wine tasting – More than 15 per cent of South Africa’s total area under vines is in the Robertson Wine Valley and there are 50 wineries from which to choose. The area signature reds are Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and whites are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Tel +27 (0)23 626 3167. Email: manager@robertsonwinevalley.com or visit their website www.robertsonwinevalley.com

There are many, many more but below are our favourites:

Sport

Montagu Golf Club - A nine-hole course with beautiful surroundings and with Montagu’s good weather all year round, playing this course will delight golfers of all ages. Tel +27 (0) 23 6141860

Rock climbing – Montagu is the best developed sport climbing area in the Western Cape and is one of the top climbing Hot Spots in the World. There are about 400 single pitch routes as well as some multi-pitch routes. The crags vary in grade and steepness with excellent quality rock. The town gets very little rain, so conditions are normally perfect for climbing. Find everything you need to know about climbing in Montagu at www.climb.co.za or email justin@climb.co.za

Hiking – there are three main hiking trails in Montagu, all of which starts from Die ou meul. Bloupunt Hiking Trail is 15.6 km long. It is steep, strenuous and takes 5 to 9 hours. Cogmans Kloof Trail is 12.1 km and a moderate route which takes 4 to 6 hours. Badskloof is only 2.2 km along the river and takes you to the pools at the Hot Springs, as well as offering access to several climbing routes.
Bloupunt and and Cogmans Kloof costs R20 and Badskloof costs R1. For guided hikes, cell +27 (0) 82744 3655

Mountain biking – There are plenty off-road cycling opportunities in the area. You can either explore yourselves or get a map of mountain-biking routes from Montagu Cycle hire in Kloof Street, cell +27 (0) 83 702 5465.

Quad bike - In the beautiful Tradouw Valley between Montagu and Barrydale on Route 62, Tradouw Quads offers guided tours for children and adults. Bring your own or rent a quad bike from R 230 (1 hour). Cell +27 (0)82 055 4096, www.tquads.co.za

Skydiving in Robertson: A Tandem Skydive is the ultimate way to experience the thrill of freefall with minimum preparation. Tandem jump R1 600 or 1- day skydive course R 1080. Cell +27 (0) 83 462 5666, email:bookings@skydive.co.za and www.skydive.co.za

accreditations