The pretty town of Bredasdorp lies some 40 kilometres from L’Agulhas, the most southern point in Africa. Bredasdorp is a good base from which to explore De Hoop, Heuningberg, De Mond and Cape Agulhas Nature Reserves, as well as the fishing villages of Arniston and Struisbaai, the historic mission village of Elim with its quaint houses and church and Napier, known for the excellent wines produced there.
It is also one of many towns in South Africa that has been ‘discovered’, which means that foreigners and former city dwellers have made Bredasdorp home, and, in turn, have infused the town with a certain ‘quaintness’ that makes it well worth a stopover.
Bredasdorp, situated at the foot of the Heuningberg, is the commercial centre of a prosperous wool, grain and dairy farming region. This area is rich in fynbos and South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, is often seen in the wheat fields.
Bredasdorp has an interesting history because its founder, Michiel van Breda, after whom the town was named, not only built the first church on his farm, Langefontein, in 1838, but is also known for being the father of South Africa’s Merino wool industry and the first mayor of Cape Town. His old farm homestead, together with the original church and coach house, all national monuments, today houses a unique and fascinating collection of shipwreck memorabilia in the Shipwreck Museum.
At Soetendalsvlei, between Bredasdorp and Struisbaai, is southern Africa’s largest natural body of fresh water, where you will find plenty of birdlife. The 300 species present in large flocks of water birds as well as plenty of fynbos species. See the Country Life Magazine article on birding this whole area.
The 800ha Heuningberg Nature Reserve began as a wildflower garden and today boasts over 300 species of fynbos, including the Bredasdorp Lily, that usually flowers between April and May, giving a wonderful display. Other flowering species occur throughout the year and attract local bird species.
See the Merino Statue at the entrance to BNK Landbou, on the Swellendam Road, erected in honour of the merino sheep, which brought fame to this area, due to careful breeding by Michiel van Breda early in the last century.
Julian Keyser Ceramics are manufacturers of a unique range of objects d’art, fine art, hand-crafted ceramics and table linen in African and contemporary designs. His gallery is next door to Julian’s Restaurant, which has a charming setting and is open all day.
Kapula Candles offers a beautiful range of handcrafted candles and ceramics, designed with the colours and spirit of our beautiful country in the process of transition and rebirth.
The Overberg Air Show is held every two years, usually in April. The international standard air show is unique in the sense that it is the only air show in SA where the public has the opportunity to witness a SA Air Force Capability Demonstration with live weapon delivery from fighter aircraft and helicopters.
De Hoop Nature Reserve ranks as one of best whale watching spots in South Africa, between June and November. The setting is far from the madding crowd with amazing rolling white dunes, prolific fynbos, cliffs overlooking the ocean, birds including the blue crane and endangered Cape vulture, home to the bontebok and mountain zebra and the popular Whale Trail Hiking Trail and MTB trails.
De Mond Nature Reserve, situated between Arniston and Struisbaai, is managed as a satellite of De Hoop. De Mond has a rich birdlife, making it ideal for bird watching. See rare species such as the Damara Tern and the Giant Tern or enjoy superb angling and a number of wonderful hiking trails. The reserve offers picnic sites, but no overnight facilities are available.
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