is a quaint little fishing village of yesteryear, unspoilt by development. The warm, turquoise ocean laps the golden sands of St Sebastian bay where you can see fishermen going about their daily work as they set sail early in the morning for their catch of the day. Here you will find Kassiesbaai Village which has been declared an historical monument in its entirety. Visit the Waenhuiskrans cave at low tide or trek over the beautiful sand dunes which are a feature of this area. Arniston is about 24kms from Bredasdorp on the R316.

So named from a Dutch word meaning “huge” because of its 14km long beach, is on the R319 further to the south of Arniston and is a popular holiday town for its beach, which is apparently the longest beach in the Southern Hemisphere. Struisbaai is about 25kms from Bredasdorp.

A small farming community famous for its hospitality, and holds a potato festival each year. Stop for a cup of coffee and a scone en route and then continue through Napier to Bredasdorp.

Historically South Africa’s first town with a railway terminus for the area’s wool and wheat farming. Here you will find a Ship Wreck Museum to transport you into the past, a candle factory (Kapula Candles) with its amazing hand painted and scented candles to delight you; wonderful for gifts and mementos. Also visit the Heuningberg Nature reserve. Hermanus to Bredasdorp is an hour’s drive; on the R43, left at Stanford on the R326 and then right on the R316, +- 100kms in total.

The southernmost tip of the continent of Africa where the warm Indian and cold Atlantic Oceans meet. Visit the interesting Lighthouse Museum. Access the Agulhas National Park by hiking or hiring quad bikes for the day. Enjoy fish and chips at a pavement café of this small fishing village where the ocean is steeped in history and where you will come to understand why this area is known as the “Graveyard of Ships”. L’Agulhas is about 30 kms south of Bredasdorp, on the R319 past Struisbaai.

Return home via Elim and Baardskeerderbos on the R317 (part gravel road). Elim is a picturesque 1824 Moravian missionary village with its friendly inhabitants who dwell in historic thatch roof cottages. The village has also been declared a national monument. Visit the Moravian Church, clock, and old watermill dating from 1833 with its tearoom and craft centre. Your journey will take you to the R43 and you will return via Gansbaai and Stanford to Hermanus.

A countryside village with a charming character and boasts a number of restaurants, an historic hotel, antique shop and gallery. It offers family picnic spots along the river as well as activates such as canoeing, fishing and sunset cruises. On the outskirts of Stanford you can find a wonderful cheese factory with farm animals, wine tasting at the wine estates and the famous Birkenhead brewery which offers lunches and dinners. Stanford is also well known for its fynbos flower growing area.

Continue south on the R43 and visit De Kelders, famous for its caves and warm water spring (which are presently closed to visitors for research purposes). Fishing, whale watching and hiking along the “plaat” from the Klein River Mouth are popular pastimes.

A working fishing village, lies further south on the R43 and is famous for its Great White Shark cage diving and viewing. Tours from the small boat harbour of Kleinbaai run daily, weather permitting. Varied restaurants, hiking trails through fynbos, tidal pools, pearly beaches and spectacular sunsets across Walker Bay make this town a must to visit. Continue further to the Danger Point Lighthouse. Danger Point Lighthouse is clearly visible from Hermanus on a clear day and its light can be seen flashing in the evening. Visit this dangerous rocky reef, part of the coastline where the HM Birkenhead sank in 1852. The memorial and lighthouse can be viewed on weekdays between 09h00 and 15h00.

An attractive settlement further along from Kleinbaai and is purely a holiday village.

Continue to Pearly Beach which is also one of the Overstrand’s developing holiday towns.

You may return along the R43 or you can cut inland from Quoin Point along the R317 to visit Elim and Baardskeerdersbos on your return journey

(R48 km) Take the R43 east from Hermanus, towards Stanford and turn right onto the R326. Visit the Cheese factory and Birkenhead Brewery and then watch out for the Salmons dam turnoff. Visitors can hike and picnic in the kloof and mountains. The reserve is home to many bird species and indigenous mountain fynbos.

From Hermanus proceed in a westerly direction along the R43 until you get to the R44 turnoff. Take the R44 towards Kleinmond. Arabella Golf Estate and Hotel and Spa. A round of golf on the Arabella course is a must for avid golfers. For those who would prefer a thorough pamper, a day at the Spa will rejuvenate you.

Drive from Hermanus on the R43 and then take the R44 to the Arabella Sheraton Hotel and stop for tea and cake and view the lush golf greens and the Botriver lagoon.
Proceed on the R44 to Kleinmond harbour waterfront where you can wander around the quaint shops with local art and ceramics and a have tasty lunch before proceeding to Betty’s Bay. En route from Kleinmond remember to glance up to the summit of the mountain on your right as you pass Elephant Rock restaurant on your left. You will clearly see the silhouette of a stone elephant standing guard. Proceed to Betty’s bay where you will find the lovely Harold Porter Botanical Garden Reserve. Enjoy an afternoon walk through the fynbos or have tea in their garden restaurant. You will also find the Stony Point Nature Reserve to visit one of South Africa’s endangered species of Jackass penguins. A sign is posted on the main road through Betty’s Bay. There is a nominal fee to enter the restricted area, but it is worth it to see the quizzical little creatures in their natural habitat.

Drive west from Hermanus on the R43 and take the N2 towards Caledon and then the R406 through the wheat fields and farm lands to Greyton, a peaceful and picturesque village at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains. Be on the look out for the beautiful blue crane in its natural habitat. Greyton is a very special village where you will find coffee shops, art galleries, antique shops and beautiful surroundings to refresh the soul. Genadendal is close by and offers you a step back in time as you discover the Moravian Mission Station with its interesting museum.

Visit the town of Caledon by following the R43 west and then taking the N2. Enjoy the hot springs, the casino, the Caledon Flower Garden and Reserve, The Caledon Museum, and Venster Rock. This farming area encapsulates the magic of the ever-changing face of the Overberg.

The road leading through the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley from the Sandbaai intersection will in the near future, when it is tarred, be the ideal scenic route to Caledon through the vineyards, wheat fields and farm lands.