Port Jackson Farm

Bonnievale, Western Cape

185km from Cape Town

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Farm in a secluded valley with a rambling old house - 20km from Bonnievale

14 Reviews - Read them Best rating of 5 based on 14 reviews.

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View from the road
The farm dam
Stoep
The garden
View from garden
Lounge
Main bedroom
Ensuite bedroom

Quick Facts

Where

20km from Bonnievale

GPS

S 34°01'40''
E 19°59'38''

Sleeps

Equipped

Yes

Linen

Yes

Towels

Yes

Fireplace

yes (free wood provided)

Braai

Yes

Meals

Pet-Friendly

by request

Activities

birdwatching, canoeing, farm animals, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, walking, wine routes

Budget Getaways Review

Port Jackson Farm spells good old-fashioned V-A-L-U-E. For a few rand, you will be handed the keys to a fully equipped rambling farmhouse in an appealing valley called Boesmansrivier, lined with orchards, vineyards, sheep and crumbly buildings. The valley is commercially untainted and lingers in an olde worlde atmosphere of animal-drawn ploughs, meisies in kappies and ankle-length skirts, and men in tight black suits walking to Nagmaal.

Port Jackson is imbued with this same rural spirit. Totally unpretentious in both name (an alien plant!) and style, this traditional family home drowses like an old man under an evergreen oak tree among aloes and flowers at the side of the road. There’s nothing whatsoever fancy about the house and there’s nothing whatsoever new – this is part and parcel of its appeal.

Here’s a taste of what Port Jackson offers: flyscreen doors, beam ceilings and wooden floors; outydse ball and claw furniture alternating with Deco pieces; a portrait of ouma and oupa monitoring your table manners in the diningroom; a candle and New Testament Bible next to every bed; a catacomb of rooms sleeping 12 and then a few more; every non-essential and essential item you’re likely to forget at home, from the potjiekos pot to matches, mixed herbs and Sunflower oil, plus other generous surprises (which we'll leave you to discover).

Stepping outside, Port Jackson has a large covered braai area stacked high with free wood and half a dozen braai grids. A soft pastoral outlook of comatose sheep (among them Butch and Bella), darting birdlife, a canal ferrying water from the mountain, blossom orchards and distant blue mountains, lend further appeal. From the house, a farm track leads up to a massive dam with rowing boat, fish galore (allegedly) and plenty more views.

All said and done, Port Jackson is as close you will ever come to the genuine country article.

Guest Reviews

"This place is brilliant!! It's home away from home. Inkie and the rest of the family are so warm; and so much fun. Inkie is a real go getter... I always go back for more."

(visited November 2010)

"Your place is imbued with a spirit of generosity which made our stay unforgettable. The Van Rhyns know how to create a magical Christmas ambience for their guests! Stay blessed."

(visited December 2009)

"Fantastic, we had a great time. Tannie Lenkie is the best."

(visited May 2009)

"The Skull Riders MCC arrived on Friday night (not by bike) to be greeted by our President, who had arrived early, and a roaring fire. We cooked on this fire the entire weekend - free wood helped. Rooms were allocated, ample to go around and comfortable beds, duvets etc. The wooden window shutters did a great job of keeping early rising loud mouthed bikers' noise out, allowing the more mature amongst us a little extra shuteye. The surrounding area were explored, wine tasted and the dams visited before returning to rebuild the fire and 'kuier'. Needless to say the loaf of farm bread and 'jam-konfyt' did not last long amongst us Stadsjaapies. All in all a great weekend away from home and super value for money. Many thanks to our hosts from the Skull Riders."

(visited July 2008)

"A charming old farmhouse on a beautiful piece of land and good old-fashioned hospitality. The perfect place to escape from the pressures of city life! I'll definitely be returning to Port Jackson Farm."

(visited December 2006)

"Ideal weekend breakaway from city life, space for the kids to play, close to Robertson wine route."

(visited November 2006)

"Inkie's hospitality, generosity and attention to detail were overwhelming - I'm not sure what else we could have asked for! I'm already planning the next weekend!"

(visited October 2006)

"Awesome setting! Made me just want to sit on the stoep with the fire going and stare at the view! Inkie and Percy were fantastic hosts, there when you need them but they leave you to your own devices. Inkie even went out at 8pm on a raining Friday night to find our friend who had gotten lost on the way there, and brought him right to the house! The bread is the cherry on top! One of the best getaways in the book, real value for money!"

(visited August 2006)

"We had the pleasure of staying at PJF just last weekend and what a place! If you're in a wheelchair, it's 100% accessible and the inside of the house is all on one level and one of the bathrooms is accessible with a bath but no grab rails or anything like that. We loved our farm fresh bread and they really do provide almost everything you would need! Our hosts Inkey and husband where just great and really are sooo sweet!!! If you are thinking of going to PJF and need to see the place, I have enough photo's, so just ask! We are already planning our next trip to PJF!!"

(visited August 2006)

"Fantastic and peaceful! We are now going for the third time in as many months. Excellent hospitality and lovely scenery and just so quiet. When we arrived there Friday night at 22:00, our fire was already burning, what more can you ask for?! PS: the bread is stunning!"

(visited March 2006)

"I LOVED IT!!What an amazing (little???) cottage. Well, actually a HUGE house but cozy and comfortable and Inkie and her husband were incredible. We even got a loaf of fresh baked farm bread which I proceeded to smother in farm jam and butter! YUM!"

(visited November 2005)

"Inky and Percy Van Rhyn have hearts of gold and went well out of their way to make us feel at home. Even going so far as to give us lifts to the nearest town when our car was at the garage. I cannot speak too highly of their hospitality, nor do I think my words could do it justice if I tried.... There�s nothing left to say except that Port Jackson is the best self catering getaway we have ever had the honour of lazing about in. It is like a painting that gets more beautiful the longer you stare at it. Ten out of Ten."

(visited November 2005)

"Generally a nice affordable place to stay for those who need a base from which to explore the surrounding area or those who want to experience farm life in general.The big old, but clean farmhouse offers all you need and one get's the feeling that this is exactly how Inky's (the hostess) parents-in-law lived here, except that personal items are no longer there. I think that they would be proud of the hospitality Inky shows to city guests with her own fresh bread, friendliness and flowers in all the rooms."

(visited September 2004)

"This was my 5th visit to the farm and I've already booked a long weekend in June. It's truly a home away from home with lovely touches like the fresh bread and wine much appreciated. I even received a home-made chocolate cake that Mrs Van Rhyn made me for my birthday! The tranquility while rowing on the dam with only the sounds of nature around is awesome and nothin beats sitting out on the stoep with a huge fire crackling and a glass of the best of the valleys wine routes in your hand!"

(visited January 2004)

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Getaway Map

Port Jackson Farm, Bonnievale, Western Cape

GPS: S -34.0278 E 19.9939

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