Swartland
This is the Gateway to the West Coast where one finds more Sunshine, More Space, more Soul. It is not only the breadbasket of South Africa but is also known for its awards winning wines and olives as well as the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in South Africa.
Yzerfontein
Just 80km north of Cape Town, tucked away on the sandy shoreline, hides Yzerfontein, one of the West Coast’s most lustrous pearls. The village is an urban conservancy with an interesting history, where man and nature live in harmony. It boasts natural unspoilt fynbos, beautiful sunsets, and 16 Mile Beach, the longest uninterrupted beach on the South African coastline, with views of Dassen Island and Table Mountain. Yzerfontein is the perfect choice for a getaway, just off the R27, and situated within close proximity of the town of Darling, the !Khwa ttu San Cultural & Educational Centre, the West Coast National park with its lagoon and abundance of flowers in the spring, and the West Coast Fossil Park. Endangered African Black Oystercatchers roost on the rocks and between July and January whales and dolphins can be seen from the lookout points. The small-boat harbour has launching slips and the annual Snoek Classic and Galjoen Derby are highlights during the holiday season. If you are a bird watcher or appreciate wild flowers and fynbos, then Yzerfontein is the place to visit.
Explore the coastline from Pearl Bay to Rooipan on foot, cycle or jog the streets in safety, or experience a choice of mountain bike trails in the vicinity. Yzerfontein is a surfer’s and windsurfer’s haven with Schaap Island and the Main Beach being the local surfing hotspots. Accommodation is plentiful and varies from a caravan park, luxurious beach houses, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, to self-catering apartments, many with stunning views over the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Whether you are searching for a peaceful stretch of beach where you can stroll for hours on end, or a scenic spot to tie the knot, Yzerfontein caters for a variety of preferences. Our close-knit community welcomes you with open arms!
Riebeek-West
The quaint villages of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West lies at the foot of
Kasteelberg, about 20 km from Malmesbury, just off the R46, surrounded by
orchards, vineyards and olive groves. The area is better known as the
Riebeek Valley, home to many artists, wine makers and gourmet chefs. It is
also deservingly called the Shiraz Valley, as it is well known for producing
world beating Shiraz grapes and -wines.
Discover this secret valley, a place of captivating charm and creative
energy. Owing to a pleasant Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild and pleasant winters, Riebeek Valley is ideal to visit at any time of the year. The Kasteelberg is 974m high and has unique flora with a mix of Sandveld and Table Mountain fynbos. The Riebeek Valley essentially offers a place of relaxation , a place where one can enjoy the countryside at one’s own pace. It is the epitome of country life ~ breathing in fresh, green air and rejuvenating the body and soul, coupled with excellent accommodation options, active or relaxing activities and restaurants that cater for a variety of tastes and preferences.
Riebeek-Kasteel
The quaint villages of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West lies at the foot of
Kasteelberg, about 20 km from Malmesbury, just off the R46, surrounded by
orchards, vineyards and olive groves. The area is better known as the
Riebeek Valley, home to many artists, wine makers and gourmet chefs. It is
also deservingly called the Shiraz Valley, as it is well known for producing
world beating Shiraz grapes and -wines.
Discover this secret valley, a place of captivating charm and creative
energy. Owing to a pleasant Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild and pleasant winters, Riebeek Valley is ideal to visit at any time of the year. The Kasteelberg is 974m high and has unique flora with a mix of Sandveld and Table Mountain fynbos. The Riebeek Valley essentially offers a place of relaxation , a place where one can enjoy the countryside at one’s own pace. It is the epitome of country life ~ breathing in fresh, green air and rejuvenating the body and soul, coupled with excellent accommodation options, active or relaxing activities and restaurants that cater for a variety of tastes and preferences.
Moorreesburg
Moorreesburg is valued as much for its wheat industry as for the warmth
and friendliness of the locals. Just 40 minutes from mountains to coast, it is
the perfect base from which to explore the region and the perfect getaway
for weekends and holidays. Visit the 11-circuit labyrinth in the park to relax body and soul, or the Wheat Industry Museum, one of only two of its kind in the world, where you can also see wheat fossils found in an Egyptian Pharoah’s Tomb. For the more energetic there is clay pigeon shooting, water sports on the Berg River and Misverstand Dam, golf and hiking trails. Now is your opportunity to indulge in mouth-watering traditional Swartland cuisine, accompanied by a glass of fine Swartland wine. The annual Agricultural Show is a festival for the whole family and well worth a visit.
Malmesbury
Malmesbury, the pulsang ‘Heart of the Swartland’, is just 40 minutes
scenic drive from Cape Town and enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate. Despite its tranquil settng, Malmesbury has a bustling business centre and
an active informal sector. In winter, or ‘green season’, swathes of green
wheat fields and yellow canola fields blanket the countryside. The sandy,
marsh and Renosterveld vegetation erupts into a kaleidoscope of colour in
spring and can be viewed between June and September. For the energetic outdoor enthusiast, there are 4×4 trails, game drives, nature drives, clay pigeon shooting and mountain-biking. For the gourmand there are several fine restaurants and wine cellars. Beautifully maintained and restored historic buildings along the “Historic Walkabout Route” are of interest to historians, architects and tourists alike. Tranquil Malmesbury is the ideal getaway destination.
Darling
Only one hour from Cape Town, but a million miles away! Stroll in beautiful natural surroundings or let yourself be entertained at Evitase Perron, a stress-free zone where a dose of laughter will make your day. Tillage your taste buds at one of the wineries on the Darling Wine Experience and turn a day into a weekend or a weekend into a holiday to remember. Hello Darling Tourism, Pastorie Street, Private Bag X1, DARLING 7345 Drive along the R27 until you reach the R315, and follow the road through sweeping vineyards and spectacular wildflower displays, particularly in spring, to the quaint Swartland town of Darling. Join us for the regular village happenings and festivals. Energetic visitors can participate in an exhilarate 4×4 or game drive, trail run or MTB trail, but if aleisurely round of golf or a sociable game of bowls is more your style, head on over to the Darling Golf Club. Learn more about the historical origins of the town at the Darling Museum, a charming reflect on of 19th century living, and gain a fascinating insight into the traditions of South Africa’s first people at !Khwattu, the San Educational and Cultural centre. Explore the town on foot, browse through antique shops, linger awhile on the veranda of a coffee shop and watch the world go by, or view original local art at new concept galleries that fit in with the village’s quirky nature. TOURIST INFORMATION
Tel: 022 492 3361 | Email: info@darlingtourism.com
