Travel Adviser : Tulbagh in ‘Het land van Waveren’

HOW TO GET THERE

From Cape Town: Tulbagh is a 90-minute drive from Cape Town. Via the N1, take the R303 left to Paarl and Wellington. Continue through Wellington and turn right at the T-junction at the end of the town, towards Gouda, and follow the signs to Tulbagh. Alternatively, turn right opposite the imposing Dutch Reformed Church and follow the longer, more scenic Bain’s Kloof road towards Wolseley and Ceres. Signs point the way to Tulbagh. During harvest times (late summer) trucks laden with fruit can slow you down and the N7 route through Malmesbury, Hermon and Gouda may be preferable. From Johannesburg: Turn right onto the R46 some 9 km outside Touwsrivier on the N1. This quiet road will take you past the beautiful Koue Bokkeveld Mountains and Ceres fruit-growing area.

WHERE TO STAY

In Tulbagh
De Oude Herberg: 6 Church Street, Tulbagh 6820.
Kliprivier Park Holiday Resort is a municipal resort which has en suite cottages with carports and braai areas. There are 250 caravan sites with electrical power points, ablution facilities and laundry. Write to PO Box 3, Tulbagh 6820. Tel (0236) 30-0506 or 30-1020, fax (0236) 30-1250.
Tulbagh Hotel has 10 rooms. Tulbagh Hotel is located at 22 Van der Stel Street, Tulbagh 6820. Tel (0236) 30-0071, fax (0236) 30-0207.
Witzenberg Hotel has eight en suite bedrooms. Write to The Witzenberg Hotel, Piet Retief Street, Tulbagh 6820. Tel and fax (0236) 30-0159.

Outside Tulbagh
Edenhof Farm accommodates four people and, although it is self-contained, you can indulge in expertly prepared meals from the farm kitchen. For more information write to PO Box 80, Tulbagh 6820. Tel (0236) 30-0655.
Hunter’s Retreat on the farm ‘Ruimte’ has two comfortable en suite bedrooms. Children under 12 are not permitted. For more information contact Christine Hunter, PO Box 248, Tulbagh 682O. Tel (0236) 30-0582, tax (0236) 30-0101.
Kloofzicht has a self-catering, three-bedroomed guest cottage. The daily rate for two persons is R130 and R25 for each additional adult or child. An English breakfast is served for an extra R20 per person. For more information contact Sharon or Roger Fehlmann, PO Box 101, Tulhagh 6820. Tel (0236) 30-0658.
La Bruyere Farm Cottage provides self-catering accommodation for up to six people. For more information write to La Bruyere, PO Box 274, Tulbagh 6820. Tel and tax (0236) 30-0808.
Moddersrivier Farm has a self-catering house situated in a field of fruit trees beneath the Winterhoek Mountains. The house sleeps six to eight people. For more information contact PO Box 138, Tulbagh 6820. Tel (0236) 30-0746.
Schalkenbosch has four luxury cottages. For more information contact Buck or Monica Burke, PO Box 95, Tulbagh 6820. Tel and tax (0236) 30-0654.
Wild Olive Farm has one-, two- and four-bedroomed self-catering cottages. Write to PO Box 222, Tulbagh 6820. Tel (0236) 30-1160.

WHAT TO DO

Museums
Oude Kerk Volksmuseum: Opening times are: Monday to Friday 08h00-13h00 and 14h00-15h00; Saturday: 10h00-13h00 and 14h00-16h00; and Sunday 11h00-13h00 and 14h00-15h00. The entrance fee is R2 for adults.
4, 14 and 22 Church Street: These annexes to the Oude Kerk Volksmuseum are open Monday to Friday 09h00-13h00 and 14h00-17h00. During school holidays they are open on Saturdays.
De Oude Drostdy Museum is open Monday to Saturday 10h00-12h50 and 14h00-16h50. On Sundays it is open in the afternoon only. For more information, tel (0236) 30-0203.

Wine and sherry tasting
Drostdy Wine Cellar has wine and sherry tasting tours at 11h00 and 15h00 daily. There are no sales. For more information tel (0236) 30-1086.
Kloofzicht is open for tasting and sales by appointment only. Tel (0236) 30-0658.
Lemberg is open for tasting by appointment only. Tel (0236) 30-0659.
Montpellier is open Monday to Friday 09h00-12h00 and 13h30-16h00 and on Saturdays 09h00-12h00. It is closed on public holidays. Tel (02362) 30-0723.
Paddagang is open for wine tasting 10h30-16h00. Tel (0236) 30-0242, fax (0236) 30-0433.
Theuniskraal is famous for its riesling wines and is situated on the Winterhoek Road. Visits and sales are by appointment only. Tel (0236) 30-0690.
Twee Jonge Gezellen offers tasting, sales and tours. Tasting and sales are open Monday to Thursday 09h00-12h00 and 13h30-15h00; Friday 09h00-12h00 and 13h30-16h00; and Saturday 09h00-12h00. Tours of the underground cellar are conducted Monday to Friday at 11h00 and 15h00 and on Saturdays at 10h30. It is closed on public holidays. For more information tel (0236) 30-0680, tax (0236) 30-0686.

Eating and drinking
De Oude Herberg offers lunches daily (except Tuesday) and dinners on Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Tel and fax (0236) 30-0260.
Paddagang Restaurant serves traditional Cape cuisine and is open daily 09h00-15h00 and in the evenings by special arrangement. Tel (0236) 30-0242, tax (0236) 30-0433.
Pieter Potter Restaurant is open from Tuesday to Friday 12h00-14h30 and from 19h00 until late. Tel (0236) 30-0626.
Tulbagh Hotel’s Gerzinlicht Restaurant offers lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch. Tel (0236) 30-0071, tax (0236) 30-0207.
Pilgrim’s Tavern in the same hotel serves light meals. Both are open from 11h00 until late. Tel (0236) 30-0071, fax (0236) 30-0207.
Witzenberg Steakhouse is open daily for lunch and dinner but is closed on Sunday evenings. Tel and tax (0236) 30-0159.

Arts and crafts
Tulbagh has craft shops where paintings, pottery, antiques, home-made food, shoes, etc. are on offer. You can follow an Art and Country Route on the first weekend of every month. A useful map is available from the Tulbagh Tourist Information Office.

Special attractions
Annual events include the Tulbagh Agricultural Show in September, a flower festival at the Oude Drosdy in October and a mountain-bike tour in March.

WEATHER

Summer average temperatures are 32oC (maximum) and 15o (minimum). Winters are cool with an average maximum of 22oC and minimum of 6oC. Snowfalls are fairly common on the surrounding mountains during winter.

RECOMMENDED READING

Church Street in the Land of Waveren (Tulbagh Restoration Committee) by G and G Fagan is a detailed account of Tulbagh’s restoration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tulbagh Tourist Information, 4 Church Street, Tulbagh 6820. Tel and fax (0236) 30-1348.