Bonnievale

Nice down-to-earth farming folk in this little town, who seem genuinely interested in your well-being. Driving off the N2, the approach towards Bonnievale is a scenic one, marked by aloes – the punks of the botanical world, we thinks – crusty mountains and terraced vineyards. The village itself is nothing to look at, but when you can float down the Breede River with the warm morning sun on your back, who cares about a town? Bonnievale is getaway Mecca and there is no need to compromise. Most of the cottages described here are either on the Breede River or very close to it; others are on the slopes of the Langeberg, accurately referred to as Little Switzerland.



Things To Do
  • A weekend on the Breede River is a chapter from Huckleberry Finn. Find yourself a spot under a shady willow, and canoe, swim, cast a lazy line, or simply close your eyes and float…
     
  • If you can muster the energy, pack the sarmies and head into the Langeberg foothills. There is wide scope for arduous hiking but most will be content with a stroll among the vines. Your quickest access to the Langeberg is via Leopard Trail Guestfarm  – the farm holds a permit to a section of the mountain. 
      
  • For mountain biking androids, Leopard Trail Guestfarm is again the way to go, while mere mortals will find the dirt roads around Bonnievale loaded with far easier informal possibilities. The same applies to weekenders in 4x4s.
     
  • Bonnievale is home to seven of Robertson Wine Route’s 23 estates and co-ops.
     
  • Pop into the local cheese factory and buy a little something for your pet rat.
     
  • Visit the charming Myrtle Rigg Memorial Church, built in 1921. The key can be collected at Bonnievale's tourist office. 
     
  • Book a ‘Trip ‘n Braai’ on The Breede River Goose (tel 023-616 2175), a square barge described as, “not your average ugly duckling”. Trips are dependent on weather and river conditions. 
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