Activities in Montagu

Arts & Crafts

Each town has a great variety of artists, galleries, and many studios. Paintings, sculptures, wire-work, clothing, linen, pottery – it’s all here. Please consult the local tourism bureaus for the complete list of artists in the area.

Tractor Trips

Montagu Tractor Trips - a legendary outdoor activity since 1985 and certainly one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. It takes you to the summit of the Langeberg with stunning views of the Koo and Robertson Valleys. Fresh fruit, grown on this working farm, is served on your way up, with local muscadel being served at the summit. Afterwards enjoy traditional South African “Potjiekos”, served under magnificent pine trees. Booking at the Montagu Tourism Bureau. Weltevrede Wine Estate offers informative Terroir Tractor Trips, outlining the Jonker’s passion for Chardonnay and the area. Both these trips are great for families.

Bird Park

Bird’s Paradise in Robertson is ideal for families with over 260 exotic birds, monkeys, lamas, crocodiles and ponies, kids will be well entertained while you relax and enjoy something from the coffee shop. Open 7 days a week.

Cheese Shops

Langewater, La Montanara, Parmalat, Mooivallei and Stillerus are just some of the cheese making establishments we have in the area. Before you leave, be sure to visit some of their shops – find out more at the local tourism bureaus.

Dusty Sprocket Mountain Bike Trails

Offers a choice of ten mountain bike trails, with a variety of riding experiences, the longer rides take you into relatively wild and unexplored territory, whilst other routes may take you along the original wagon trails used by the early pioneers. To get to even more off the beaten tracks, enquire at Mimosa about our facilitated rides.

Fishing

A great outdoor activity for the family. Bass is plentiful – try your luck at the following wineries, all bordering the river: BurCon Wines, Viljoensdrift Wines, Wolvendrift Winery or Weltevrede Estate. If you don’t have a fishing rod, visit Outdoor Arena in Bonnievale, where a large variety of fish such as largemouth bass, carp, barbel, blue Tilapia, blue gill and grass carp are kept in their well stocked ponds. Fishing rods can be hired.

Farm Tours

Merwenstein offers one-hour guided “Fruit About” tours on a working farm, where you can view the vineyards, apricot, plum, peach and persimmon orchards and pick fruit in season.
End the day with some wine tasting and a traditional South African meal on the river bank. Only for groups of 10 or more by appointment only.

Have a Picnic

Enjoy a picnic at one of our wine estates. Try Viljoensdrift, Janeza, Goedverwacht or Rietvallei, each of which offers (pre-booked) picnic baskets. Otherwise bring your own picnic and visit Buitehof, Rooiberg, Zandvliet, Wolvendrift or Weltevrede. Be sure to phone ahead and let them know of your visit.

Hiking

Robertson Wine Valley is a must for hikers, with plenty trails to choose from: Arangieskop (Robertson-20.9km), Bloupunt (Montagu-15.6km), Cogmans (Montagu-12.1km), Dassieshoek (Robertson-34km), Boesmanskloof (McGregor-Greyton-14km), Rooikat Vrolijkheid (McGregor-19km) and Fish Eagle Trail (Van Loveren-8km) to name but a few. Contact the local tourism bureaus regarding bookings and/or permits.

Historic Houses Route.

Mimosa Lodge offers you a meander through the town to gaze and learn about the architecture of the many Cape Dutch and Georgian style properties which populate Montagu and have been given National Monument Status.

Horse Riding

If you love horses and the outdoors, this is a must. No experience is needed, safety-helmets are provided and, with groups no bigger than 6 (minimum 2), each rider will receive personal attention. Trails vary from 1 hour, half day, full day (which includes wine tasting and lunch at a nearby organic wine farm) to 3 day trails. We love Rene Burger of Nerina Guest Farm for her patience and “never-give-up” attitude.

Game Drives

Klaas Voogds Game Reserve situated on the Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve offer affordable game drives led by a trained personal guide in open viewing vehicles. Game drives available Wednesday’s – Sunday’s at 10h00 or 16h00, other days and times by appointment. Game includes Black Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Vaal Rhebok and Zebra to name but a few. We recommend the sunset-game drive with breathtaking views as the sun sets over Rooiberg Mountain.

Golfing

Bonnievale and Montagu both have 9 hole courses. (Robertson course is currently being expanded to 18 holes). Also try Outdoor Arena’s Kaps ‘n Raps course - played on a 9 hole par 3 course on lovely green lawns between the fish ponds.

Mineral Spa Resort

The famous hot water springs can be visited by day visitors, relax in hot mineral water originating hundreds of feet below ground level, reaching the surface at a temperature of 43C.
Open from 8 in the morning until 11 at night, those suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, and other muscular ailments can benefit from the warmth and healing properties of the water.

MontEco Nature Reserve

26 km out of Montagu is a 11 000 ha property, well-worth a visit for its undulating nature of the terrain, with mountains, dry riverbeds, trees and 350 million year old fossils.

Olive Tours and Tasting

The Robertson area is ideal for olive growing and many farmers have planted olives trees in the last decade. The quality is as good as anywhere in the world and the value is unbeatable. Join an olive tour, learn about the different varieties and styles and sample some products such as smoked olives, olive chutney, olive oil and even … olive chocolate.
Two worthwhile stops are Rhebokskraal in McGregor and Olyfberg in the Eilandia area – remember to book in advance though.

River Cruises and Rafting

The Breede River is the lifeline of the area and there is plenty to do on and around the river. You can choose between 3 different boat cruises: Kolgans River Restaurant, Viljoensdrift’s Uncle Ben and the Breede River Goose, which offer cruises lasting between 1 and 2 hours. Or if you want to be more hands-on, join one of Rafting Route 62 trips paddling down the river, something the whole family can do together. Booking is essential and can be done at the local tourism bureaus.

Rock Climbing

Montagu is one of the top sport climbing areas in South Africa, offering routes for the absolute beginner to the hardest route in the country. Slabs, Cracks, Face steep, Roofs they’ve got it all. Contact Montagu Tourism Bureau for more information.

Quad Biking

Bonfrutti (Bonnievale) offers guided farm tours, with stops at the ostrich camps, and the trips extend drives half way up the Langeberg Mountain. Personal attention, with a maximum of 4 people per group, no experience needed, makes a great family outing. Views are stunning, so don’t forget to bring the camera. Waboom Mountain in Montagu also offers quad biking.

Tradouw Quads

Experience the Karoo landscape with Tradouw Quads; guests are welcome to pick peaches in the orchards when in season and visit the waterfall, the main source of water for the farm. For the more experienced riders, take a day trip up the mountain ridges and enjoy a picnic lunch at the top of the mountain with breathtaking views of the valley.
www.tquads.co.za

Visit Our Markets

With so much fresh produce it’s to be expected that there will be some markets. Products range from fresh fruit and veggies (including organic), breads, croissants, rusks, olive oil, local cheese, freshly cut flowers to arts & crafts. Visit the Montagu Craft Market (09h00 – 12h00) and McGregor Morning Market (09h00 – 11h00) every Saturday morning and the Robertson Farmers’ Market the 1st Friday (08h00 – 10h00) of every month. Come early as products tend to sell quickly. Consult the local tourism bureaus for more information.

Wine Farms

Robertson Wine Route, just a stones throw away from Montagu, offers a variety of award winning wines to be enjoyed, these farms include Bon Courage, De Wetshof, Graham Beck, Major’s Hill, Springfield, Van Loveren, and Zandvliet. A local wine maker in the area produces Mimosa’s own delicious blend and a personal wine tasting can be arranged by Mimosa.
www.robertsonwinevalley.co.za

Soekershof

After a warm welcome just before 11 AM during opening days you can try to uncover the mysteries of a cycling Dutchman and a womanising German in the Maze and earn a handcrafted memento. Or choose for an interactive discovery in the succulent gardens (>2500 different succulent plants) including South Africa's oldest cactus.

In between or there after you can enjoy your picnic; have a stroll through the other gardens; discuss the different locally made Land Art objects; support local artists/craftspeople in buying exclusive gifts in our Visitors Centre; be challenged by the shortest hiking trail in South Africa; explore 'Our Little Nursery' with organically grown succulent plants and get personal advise about their cultivation. And there is more...
www.soekershof.com