Exploring the area
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There are many hiking and mountain bike trails in the area (Tesselaarsdal Mountain bike trail is very popular). Please enquire about routes and Permits.
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Eat out at De Poskantoor Restaurant in Tesselaarsdal or any other restaurants in the area
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Caledon Casino and Spa
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Wine Tasting at one of the wine estates in the area
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Klein River cheese farm in Stanford
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Whale viewing in Hermanus
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Shark-cage diving in Gansbaai
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River-rafting, zip lining, paintball, sand boarding, river tubing or quad bike tours – SA Forest Adventures go to http://www.saforestadventures.co.za/ for more information
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The choice of activities and things to see is vast, with many different types of activities, adventures and tourism attractions to explore within a few hours drive from Cape Town, Hermanus and the Garden Route.
The list of activities is endless: whale-watching, great white shark cage diving, wine tours, safari parks to see African animals roaming free, penguin colonies, sea kayaking, tree top zip-lining, Cessna plane flights over the whales and beautiful scenery, township tours, bird-watching, big cat sanctuary, horse riding along huge deserted beaches, quad biking through vineyards and olive groves, sea fishing, golf, cosmopolitan night-life, world-class cuisine and vibrant African cultures.
Wild Flower Garden
Caledon wildflower garden, also known as the Venster Kloof Nature Garden is a wonderful space in which to spend quality time with your family and friends. It is called Venster Kloof not only because it lies just on the edge of the kloof of that name, but also after a particularly noticeable rock formation that forms a window or ‘venster’ as it is known in Afrikaans.
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The wildflower garden has a 10km hike through natural mountain fynbos all the way to the Swartberg summit.
There is a little dam quite near the entrance, fields of daisies (depending on the time of year you are there), a rocky kloof filled with aloes that leads up into the mountains around Caledon, and a fairly extensive network of paths that take a while to walk. The garden is apparently landscaped on land bequeathed to the municipality by Queen Victoria in 1899, was established in 1927 and forms part of the greater nature reserve up on the Swartberg Mountain north of Caledon
The Caledon Casino
The Caledon Casino, Hotel and Spa is nestled in the picturesque area outside Caledon in the Western Cape, with views of the Klein Swartberg mountains. There is something for everyone – whether you are in search of an exciting gaming experience at the casino, or are looking to relax and rejuvenate at the spa, with it’s mineral rich Khoisan pools and indulgent treatments on offer.
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Caledon Museum
The Victorian House has an abundance of artifacts that reflect the true spirit and legacy of the community which dates back to 1840. Artworks by renowned Cape artist, Peter E Clarke, representing Tesselaarsdal, are also exhibited.
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At the Masonic Lodge you’ll be given a visual historic tour of the coloured community before the Group Areas Act was put into place in the 1950s.
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There are facilities for research with access to the museum’s reference, as well as, local newspapers from 1925 to present day.
Hermanus Whale Festival
Residents and visitors celebrate the migration of Southern Right Whales and other marine wildlife with ocean-themed activities and exhibitions, emphasising education and environmentally responsible adventures and activities.
From the 29th September till the 1st October 2017 the Hermanus Whale Festival is celebrating the only enviro-arts festival in South Africa, “putting the creatures of the deep on stage and under the spotlight alongside top performers and musicians.
” Hermanus, known as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world", plays host to thousands of visitors who flock to the seaside resort to exhilarate in the unique natural environment, watch the whales and revel in music, enjoy great food and enjoy the many activities available during the festival.
The Whales are always the star performers at the festival and will be joined on land by great food, quality crafters, great sport events, 3 day coaching clinic, kids entertainment, a Music stage with over 20 artists performing over the festival, Marine ECO Village, Vintage Car Show and thousands of people celebrating Spring in the most beautiful place on earth - Hermanus