mzanzi addition 6 digital text2

Road Travel
than tunnel. Here, atop the rock formations, sits an old English fort dating
back to 1899 and the Anglo-Boer War. You will also find the Kogmanskloof
Mountain Pass built in 1877 and the Montagu Mountain Local Nature
Reserve here.
With numerous hotels, lodges and B&Bs, and the famous Montagu
or Avalon Hot Springs resort, there is no shortage of accommodation.
Much of it comes in the form of old cottages in the Cape Dutch building
style, historical homesteads or other buildings, some even being national
monuments. Some of the best preserved examples of Victorian, Cape
Dutch and Georgian architecture are found here. Resident artists, writers,
charismatic characters and other interesting and hospitable people
abound in this charming little town that has retained its 19th century soul,
charm and appearance.
The town is also known for its dried fruit, orchards, vineyards, herbs, and
of course the healing hot waters from the mineral springs. A walk through
the tranquil and beautiful Montague Nature Garden is a must. For more
boisterous fun there is the annual Whacky Wine Weekend and Muscadel
Wine Festival.
Other things to do include mountain biking, hiking routes, kloofing,
abseiling, 4x4 routes, paragliding, fishing, river boat trips up the Breede
River, the Saturday farmers’ market, the Museum Art Gallery, three
museums, a donkey sanctuary, a tour of the district in classic American
dream cars, the Montagu arts and crafts route, wine tasting and tractor
drives to the Guano Cave. And plenty more.
Barrydale
Continuing our journey to the town of Barrydale, Route 62 now winds its
way through a long valley flanked by the 250km-long Langeberg range,
passing the Twistniet ans Zuurberg Nature Reserves and Boosmansbos
Wilderness Area. A picturesque patchwork of mountains, vineyards, fruit
orchards and veld accompanies you all the way.
Just before you enter Barrydale, the R324 branches off to the right and
becomes the 16km-long Tradouw’s Pass, built by the famous Thomas
Bain. It follows the course of the river by the same name as it winds its
way through the mountains to Swellendam and Heidelberg, providing a
window on some of the most beautiful and rugged mountain scenery in
the Langeberg. Here you can still see part of the first path through the
mountains made by the original Attequa Khoi inhabitants of the area.
Barrydale is situated on the border between the Overberg and Klein Karoo
(Little Karoo) regions and is named after the legendary James Barry, a
trader, lawyer, agent, auctioneer, deputy sheriff and military commander
who established a trading empire at nearby Swellendam. It is said the wife
of Adolph van Coller, the first white settler in the valley, was in love with
Barry and persuaded her husband to name the town after him. Which adds
a wicked little romantic touch to the delightfully maverick character of the
place.
The town developed around its first building, a magnificent church that still
dominates the surrounding buildings to this day. Barrydale is home to the
Karoo Art Hotel, previously the Barrydale Hotel, with each room designed
as a work of art. With its lively bar, restaurant and Bioscope Theater, the
hotel is a favourite meeting place for locals and travellers.
Guided walking tours of the town and area will enlighten you about the
history, people and heritage of Barrydale. Some 30km out of town you
will find the Warmwaterberg Spa, a collection of mineral springs in the
mountains. Don’t be surprised to find an authentic vintage American diner
in the town, called Diesel and Crème, which serves delicious burgers, fries
and milkshakes. It is right next to the strangely-named Karoo Moon Motel,
in an old stone building that appears to have been a church at one time.
Other hotels and B7Bs in the town also have eccentric names like Blue Cow
Barn, The Whitehouse (but without Donald Trump), Red Rooster, Gila’s
Artistic Home, Plaaswegbreek and Ruth62.
On Van Riebeeck Street you will find the House of Books, a treasure trove of
second-hand books. Pubs, restaurants, the Net-vir-Pret youth project, art
galleries, a brandy distillery, wine cellars, a labyrinth, crafts, hand weavers,
and an abundance of outdoor activities are among the many things to be
discovered here. Be warned: you will need more than a weekend to take
it all in.
84 |ISSUE 6|www.mzanzitravel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL
Diesel & Crème, Barrydale Grobler du Preez / Shutterstock
Karoo Moon Motel, Barrydale Grobler du Preez / Shutterstock