The Republic of Greater Swellendam
Bountiful Buffeljags: Agricultural hub - everything is grown here! Vegetables, citrus, peaches, canola and persimmons. Lavender and peppers.
Incredible Infanta: The whale nursery - unspoilt beaches, Breede River estuary for fishing and ski boating.
Stunning Suurbraak: time stands still: traditional farming methods, coal ovens, handcrafted furniture, organic restaurant. Tranquility - paradise.
Incredible Infanta: The whale nursery - unspoilt beaches, Breede River estuary for fishing and ski boating.
Magnificent Malgas: the last remaining hand drawn pont in South Africa, great fishing and bird watching.
Superlative Splendid Swellendam: at the heart of the area, with its history, heritage, arts and crafts, nature reserves, hiking, biking, berries and bonteboks.
Marloth Nature Reserve
Farie Sanctuary
Drostdy Museum
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Peace Pagoda
Hot Mineral Springs
Tradouw Pass
Wine Estates
Berry Liqueurs
Brandy Estates
Dance for All
Unplugged Festival
Outdoor Expo
Up the creek www.upthecreek.co.za/
Finalist in Kwela / Rapport Town of the Year (awaiting result)
Tou trek World Champions
70% of South African Youngberries grown in Swellendam
The Republic of Greater Swellendam is comprised of seven beautiful small towns all of which share a dedication to country life, simplicity, good food, home comforts, friendship, outdoor adventure, hospitality at its best and unparalleled service.
The Republic, which was declared on June 18th 2011, (216 years after it first showed the independent nature of its inhabitants by declaring itself not only a Republic, but capital of the world!) is “A Republic of community, unity, love, art, music, good food, and beauty. A Republic in which people show that they care about one another and about the environment in which they live, that they treasure wildlife and nature. A Republic which draws together the towns and villages that make up the Greater Swellendam Area – Barrydale, Buffeljachts, Infanta, Malgas, Stormsvlei, Suurbrak and Swellendam”
.
Image Gallery
User reviews
Average user rating from: 1 user(s)
Reviewed by Schoone Oordt July 01, 2011
Swellendam... a place of rest and replenishment
Surrounded by rolling fields and embraced by the majestic Langeberg Mountain range, lies the picturesque town of Swellendam. Your first stop on the garden route and home of Schoone Oordt Country House. Echoing the past, Swellendam continues to be a place of rest, relaxation and replenishment for travellers.
After Cape Town and Stellenbosch, Swellendam was the third settlement to be founded in South Africa by the Dutch East India Company. In 1745 Swellendam was declared a magisterial district. The district was given its name in 1747 in honour of governor Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife Helena Ten Damme. In 1795 the burghers of Swellendam rejected the increasingly incompetent rule of the Dutch East India Company and declared themselves an independent republic. This lasted only a few months until the British took over the Cape and re-instated the Landdrost.
Central to a thriving agricultural district, Swellendam continues to be a bustling country town. Wheat, wool, canola and youngberries are the predominant crops, whilst tourism continues to grow. More and more travellers are choosing to stop over in Swellendam on their way through the glorious and diverse Garden Route. This lush little town is a welcome peaceful stop after the buzz of Cape Town and the perfect place from which to explore the Overberg and surrounding winelands.
Swellendam really does have something to suit all tastes. For nature-lovers and hikers, the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Cape Agulhas - the Southern-most tip of Africa - and Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve are a short drive away. The Marloth Nature Reserve and Bontebok Park are virtually on the doorstep! For golfers, there’s the beautiful nine-hole golf course overlooking the Hermitage Valley. For the more adventurous, kayaking on the breathtaking Buffeljags Dam or exploring the magnificent Langeberg Mountains on horseback is a must. Get down to earth and experience picking (and eating) your own berries or tasting delicious berry liqueurs, jams and other products at a working youngberry farm in the Valley. For the slightly more hedonistic, the renowned wine estates of Robertson, Barrydale and Montagu are an easy drive away, whilst Swellendam itself hosts a selection of country culinary delights. Finally, for the child in all of us, the world-renowned Faerie Sanctuary cannot be missed.
