Revive your love of touring on The Cape Country Meander
02-12-2010
Revive your love of touring on
The Cape Country Meander
Welcome to a World of Adventure on Cape Town’s doorstep …
Welcome to a land which is healthy, green and wholesome …
A vast, secret garden for the whole family
And revive your love of touring …
A project by the Theewaterskloof Municipality, the Development Bank of South Africa, and the Private Sector Tourism Industry.
It is with great excitement that we today launch The Cape Country Meander - a journey through eight towns offering the best of fine wines, cuisine and family adventures, along the trails cut by our indigenous peoples, travellers, adventure-seekers and wildlife, missionaries and farmers …
Located just outside of Cape Town, The Cape Country Meander is made up of eight towns – Grabouw, Botriver, Caledon, Riviersonderend, Tesselaarsdal, Greyton, Genadendal and Villiersdorp.
Today, eight towns and the countryside around us will be united into one powerful new tourism brand – to benefit the tourism industry, tourists, investors and the people of the region.
Tourism is one of the region’s most crucial industries, with great potential for all its citizens. The Cape Country Meander unveils on the best kept secrets as it introduces the world to a region with six mountain ranges, three magnificent mountain passes and seven dams, including Theewaterskloof Dam.
What our stakeholders have to say about The Cape Country Meander ....
“The launch of The Cape Country Meander makes me proud,” says Theewaterskloof Municipality Executive Mayor Alderman Chris Punt. “I remember when I was a child the idea of an adventure in the car was common. Today people just fly past on the N2. Too busy to even see what they are missing. We need to remind people to slow down and breathe in some of the country air, to revive their love of touring. What better way to do this then to meander along between our region.”
Western Cape Finance and Tourism MEC Alan Winde has expressed huge excitement about The Cape Country Meander: "Clusters of towns working together is exactly what is needed to drive tourism growth. It is not about competition, it’s about eight towns uniting their extraordinary wealth of wonders under one brand, and working together to uplift the entire region," said MEC Winde.
MEC Winde continued: "Theewaterskloof and its partners have provided a model for others to replicate,” he said.
“The Cape Country Meander region for me has always been a magical landscape,” says artist Jayne Beaumont whose family owns Compagnes Drift farm, now Beaumont Wines, in Botriver. “You feel as though it’s the gateway to a whole new world. People who come to this side of the mountain are astounded by the landscape. The diversity, the wonderful fynbos, the sea close by. It’s an area of interesting places if you care to look for them.”
The Cape Country Meander is about loving the Cape countryside. It’s about exploring nature, family adventures, outdoor sports and wholesome healthy living.
“The Cape Country Meander is home away from home. We offer excellent personalised service. On the meander no request is too large and no detail too small. As you stop to explore this special, rich and diverse region don’t forget to take home a bit of the country,” says Posthouse owner Peter Krunz. “If you know where to look the region is teaming with cottage industries and fresh country produce.”
Where is The Cape Country Meander?
The Cape Country Meander stretches for 100 kilometres along the N2 in the Theewaterskloof Municipality, and weaves through the surrounding countryside - mountains, dams, fynbos, wildlife, farm life, wilderness and tranquil nature.
The towns on The Cape Country Meander:
Botriver:
… The historic staging post of centuries past, where winemaking and country life are taken slowly. An authentic country treasure …
Caledon:
… The farming heart of the Cape’s rolling hills, one of seven oldest towns in SA and home of the famous hot springs, that emit their healing waters at the base of the Klein Swartberg mountains and were undoubtedly well known to the Khoi peoples.
Grabouw in the Elgin Valley:
… The natural home for lovers of fresh food, cool-climate wines and beautiful country living. Ringed by mountains, its green rolling hills are a tapestry of orchards, vineyards and olive groves … waiting to be explored by the whole family. Experience its magic!
Genadendal:
… South Africa’s oldest mission, bursting with history, beautifully preserved … A charming village and home to the oldest Moravian mission village in Africa with church buildings and school dating back to 1738
Greyton:
… A country village paradise for the whole family. One of the country’s most pristinely preserved country treasures. Mighty oak trees, original thatched cottages, leafy lanes and breathtaking mountain views form the backdrop to this country gem that will take you completely by surprise. You’ll love it!
Riviersonderend:
… A river runs through it. A land of wide open spaces, beneath a range of majestic mountains. Find yourself again in nature’s wilderness …
Tesselaarsdal:
… The Cape’s best-kept secret, where time has stood still, sitting snugly between the mountains behind Hermanus.
Villiersdorp:
… “The Apple of the Cape”, home of fresh fruit and the bountiful fresh waters. Villiersdorp is in a valley surrounded by fruit and wine farms, picturesque Waterval and Baviaans mountains and lies next to the magnificent Theewaterskloof Dam, South Africa's 7th largest dam
Each boasts its own distinctive character, yet shares the same authentic country flavour and charm. United, these eight towns are poised to become one powerful new tourism destination.
How to enjoy The Cape Country Meander
Capetonians and visitors from around the world are invited to our world, to Meander by road, by bicycle or on foot … To explore the best of country life, just an hour out of Cape Town.
Stretch your stay to experience it to the full!
Think green rolling hills, the rich cultural history of village life … feel the space of unspoiled natural wonder …
We’re about food, wine, adventure and culture, farming and nature … about fresh fruit-flavoured country experiences.
… a must for every traveller to explore.
What awaits visitors on ….
The Cape Country Meander?
Our landscape is characterised by mountains, dams, fynbos, wildlife, farm life, wilderness and tranquility.
We’re about food, wine, adventure and culture, farming and nature … about fresh, fruit-flavoured country experiences.
Think hidden farm cottages set amidst green rolling hills, or nestling at the foot of our mountains …
Think the rich cultural history of village life …
Feel the space of unspoiled natural wonder … an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, far from the madding tourist crowds.
We offer a vast, secret garden for the whole family …
A peaceful country experience …
Where time slows … and memories of a lifetime are forged.
Some facts about
The Cape Country Meander.....
Did you know that The Cape Country Meander:
• Is home to the Blue Crane, the national bird
• Follows the old Cape wagon route that brought soldiers and then settlers to the interior
• Is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, has six mountain ranges, four mountain passes to travel through and seven dams, including the Theewaterskloof Dam
• Is mountain bike heaven with a network of trails for every skill level. It is therefore little wonder that the ABSA Cape Epic has included The Cape Country Meander in its route each year
• Is a water-lovers’ paradise offering sailing, water-skiing, canoeing, fishing and swimming
• Is recognised as the premier sauvignon blanc region with 3 five star wines and numerous other award winners
• Is the largest apple growing region in South Africa and home to Appletiser’s main factory producing 70,000 cans/bottles an hour. The region also produces the best freshly-squeezed fresh apple juice
• Is home to the largest malting plant in the Southern hemisphere, SAB Maltings
• Was the largest settlement outside Cape Town at Genadendal in 1798 and the home of the country’s first teachers’ training college
• Is home to two of the oldest Watermills in the Overberg – one at Beaumont wine farm and one at Genadendal.
• Produced the first black player to wear the rugby Springbok green and gold, Errol Tobias.
Marketing information about The Cape Country Meander:
Carefully choose your perfect getaway – using:
• Our new Website – www.thecapecountrymeander.co.za
• Our Brochure
• Our Map
Whether you escape for a mid-week escape, a weekend sojourn or a full holiday break, stay longer, you’ll find that The Cape Country Meander offers fantastic value. Stay put in one place to soak up our scenic vistas. Or revive your love of touring, but moving from town to town.
We’re just one hour away from Cape Town …
Welcome to The Cape Country Meander!
Your new country home.
Come experience the magic. You’ll love it!
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