The Tulbagh Valley, fringed on three sides by the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains, is one of the most fertile and luscious farming valleys in South Africa. At first sight these three mountains and their upper foothills seem covered in grey and green taffeta and tulle of the finest silk tucked into the creases and folds, complementing the wavy lustre of this wondrous vista.
When you lower your glance, you cast your eyes over a patchwork quilt in hues of gold, green, brown and blue that paint a picture of farming activity blending in with the natural landscape. Nestled in the centre, you will find the very vibrant village of Tulbagh. With its wide range of amenities, activities and a close-knit, cosmopolitan community, this town most certainly is a true treasure chest of fabulous finds for newcomers and tourists, as well as seasoned locals who still revel in the marvels the area holds as nature lets it unfold year in and year out. It has a platform for unprecedented market strength, has become a popular wedding destination, and annual long-running festivals like Christmas in Winter and the Tulbagh Arts Festival draw many visitors. The town is steeped in history, and after the earthquake in 1969 the 32 characteristic Cape Dutch historical buildings in Church Street were all lovingly restored and constitute the largest concentration of National Monuments in one street in South Africa. The valley is world-renowned for producing export quality deciduous fruit, vegetables and wine, as well as olives, grain, beef and pork. As a family tourist destination and adventure tourism hub, it offers historical and heritage tours, hiking, 4x4, abseiling, fauna and flora, fresh-water fishing, mountain bike trails, San Rock paintings, game and nature reserves, stargazing, birding, cherry and fig picking, and winter snowfall. The introduction of the steam train from Cape Town to Ceres in 2016, has promoted even more tourism to the valley.
Tulbagh is only a 90-minute drive from Cape Town and its location makes it ideal for day trips to the Mother City, the West Coast and the inland areas of the Breede River Valley, the Cederberg and Bokkeveld. It is within 60 minutes’ drive to towns like Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Worcester, and within easy reach of the area’s marvellous mountain passes such as Du Toit’s Kloof, Bain’s Kloof, Nuwekloof, Mitchell’s, Hex River, Rooihoogte, Burger’s, Gydo and Theronsberg.
