The 18km pass that connects Wellington to Wolseley in the Western Cape was built by road engineer Andrew Geddes Bain with the use of convict labour and opened in 1854 as Bainskloof Pass.
At its peak, the pass reaches 594m where, at Eerste Tol, you will find a hamlet of old buildings, most of which are (or were) used by faith-based organisations as getaway locations.
McBains Lodge is in one such building. Since its purchase six years ago, the conversion into fullyrealised traveller accommodation continues to be a work in progress.
