Over, not out!
Some people say that the Overberg has become too busy and commercialised, but have those people ventured as far as Malgas and crossed the Breede River on a pont? Have they watched the wheat fields between Baardskeerdersbos and Elim give way to the stormy beauty of Agulhas? We’d wager not.
The Overberg is one of those regions that gives us South Africans bragging rights. It has its obvious attractions, like Hermanus and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, but if you follow the sedan-friendly dirt tracks off the N2, you might be surprised by what – and who – you’ll meet.
On this 10-day road trip you’ll experience contrasting landscapes, from fynbos and canola fields to coastal vistas and rugged mountain ranges. You’ll also never be far from a perfectly brewed cup of coffee or cold glass of wine.
Enjoy!
DAY 1 Hermanus
Get up early, fill a thermos with coffee, pack some rusks and head to the start of Clarence Drive outside Gordon’s Bay. Drive slowly along the slopes of the Kogelberg, with proteas and pincushions on one side and the deep blue sea on the other. Pull over at a viewpoint and drink your coffee while you wait for a whale or a dolphin to come up for air.
In Hermanus, visit Burgundy for brunch. Have a croissant with scrambled eggs (R55) or two poached eggs with geelperske boerewors, hollandaise sauce and biltong powder (R135) while you look out over the Old Harbour.
Stroll through town and pop in at Romantiques and Chilli Pepper for an enamel coffee pot, an Elvis record or a vintage school bench. Bookworms can look for special finds at Hemingway’s or Quirk & Leopard.
Whales visit Walker Bay from June to November. Listen out for the call of the whale crier Bravo Thembinkosi. Gearings Point next to the Old Harbour is the best place to look for whales, but you can see them from anywhere along the cliff path.
In summer, have a swim in the sea at Grotto Beach or take the kids to the tidal pool in front of the Marine Hotel.
Hermanus is sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, and there are hiking trails for all levels of fitness. The cliff path is an easy stroll – it runs along the sea for 7 km from the New Harbour to Grotto Beach. Another laid-back option is the 1,2 km path up Hoy’s Koppie behind Hermanus Primary School. Fernkloof Nature Reserve (entrance is free) also has several hiking trails; dogs are even allowed on some of them.
Have dinner at Bientang’s Cave Restaurant in the Old Harbour – the sea is so close you won’t even have to add salt to your food! Note that Bientang’s Cave is only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings during the off-peak season. If you’re here during the week, Rossi’s is a good option – they serve Italian food washed down with locally brewed Old Harbour beer.
DO THIS!
Bird alert! About 3 km from Kleinmond in the direction of Hermanus, turn off and visit Rooisand Nature Reserve (entrance is free). A wheelchair-friendly boardwalk runs to a bird hide overlooking the Bot River lagoon. Also see if you can spot the wild horses that sometimes graze in the vicinity.
Go paddling. Walker Bay Adventures offers activities year-round, including kayaking with whales and seals, and
