Things to see and do in Tulbagh, Tourist Information
CULTURE
The Oude Kerk Volks Museum Complex. Open 7 days a week. Telephone (+27) 23 230 1041.- House Number 1: The Old Church Museum, the oldest cross-form church in South Africa and a fantastic collection of Cape furniture
- House Number 6: The Earthquake Museum explores the valley’s history and how Tulbagh was rebuilt after the 1969 earthquake.
- House Number 22: The 'Ou Volks Museum'. This Cape Dutch pioneer cottage has been recreated into a quaint home, reconstructing life as it was 200 years ago
De Oude Drostdy Museum, built in 1804, has historical Cape furniture, household articles and artwork, with wine tasting in the candle-lit old jail. +27 (0) 23 230 0203
Visit the Art Gallery in the Old Bank and other artists’ studios in the village. Tulbagh is captured in the work of many widely respected artists including Christo Coetzee, who lived, worked and died at number 28 Church Street.
FOOD & DRINK
Foodies and wine lovers are in for a treat as there's lots on offer in the Tulbagh Valley. Visit our Wine and Dining pages for more detailed information about restaurants and wine estates.Here's a 'taste' of what's on offer...
- Enjoy long lunches and lovely dinners at a different restaurant
every day for a week! - Sample the wines of the Tulbagh Wine Route and its 15 estates, all open to the public for tasting and sales. Many have lovely cellars and encourage picnicking in the grounds.
- Let your taste buds explore the Tulbagh Olive Route and see how olive oil is made at:
Groote Vallei: Award winning olives and oil. +27 (0)23 230 0660
De Heuvel: Olives & oil. +27 (0)23 230 175
Waverley Hills: Organic farm and restaurant. +27 (0)23 231 0003
Bucks Ridge: Olives & oil. +27 (0)23 230 1160 - Enjoy Moniki Chocolates, offering exquisite handcrafted chocolates with coffee or wine tastings on one of the most beautiful farms in the valley.
www.schoonderzicht.com, , +27 (0)23 230 0673 - Visit Kimilili Cheese Estate during weekday mornings and experience the traditional cheese making process. Afterwards guests can taste and buy these award-winning handcrafted farmhouse cheeses.
www.kimililifarm.co.za, , +27 (0)23 231 1509/3 - Visit Tulbagh Dried Fruit (a working farm) during the week and take a free tour to see how fruit is harvested and dried on mats in the sun. The farm shop sells all local products and delicacies.
, +27 (0)23 230 0960 - Picknikki for lovely pre-packed picnics and a fantastic choice of wine estates on which to enjoy them.
+27 (0) 23 230 1375 - Celebrate Happy Hour Cocktails at Boulders 'tree-house' Bush Pub, and be sure not to miss Judy's 'Boulders Burger', probably the best burger in the Southern hemisphere! (See Dining section)
+27 (0)23 230 1737
FITNESS, HEALTH & BEAUTY IN TULBAGH
The beautiful Tulbagh Valley is the perfect place to relax and rejevenate.
Vindoux Health Spa & Gym
4 minutes out of town
Treat yourself at Tulbagh's local spa offering professional and thorough beauty treatments, massage and wraps. Work out or go spinning in a bright and spacious gym, with a good selection of cardiovascular and body building equipment, and a personal trainer to assist you
.+27 (0)82 404 7778
Villa Tarentaal
Villa Tarentaal offers Ingham reflexology, aromatherapy facials and the best neck and shoulder massage in the valley.
+27 (0)23 230 0868
OUTDOOR ACTION ADVENTURE IN TULBAGH
Hiking
Permits, further information and maps available from Tulbagh tourism.
- Waterfall Forestry Reserve: Easy access and a 15-minute walk to the waterfall and rock pools. Contour trails are easy and offer a great view over the valley. Permit R5. p.p
- Murludi Hiking Trail offers two popular hikes in the Winterhoek Mountains (4 or 10 km) with fynbos, birdlife and small game. +27 (0)23 230 0732 Permit R20 p.p
- Silverfontein Hiking Trail offers a spectacular one or two day organised hiking trails in the mountains above Voelvlei Dam. +27 (0)23 232 0531
- Voelvlei Nature Conservancy has bird and wildlife, as well as lovely fynbos and fantastic spring flowers.
- Jurie Herbst, nature conservationist is a field guide offering guided hiking trails in the valley.
+27 (0)23 232 0925 or +27 (0)79 352 2278
Mountain biking
Mountain bikes can be hired in the Quarter, and trails start at the end of the road. Cycle freely through the village, surrounding hills and countryside.
4x4 trails
Panorama scenic viewpoint offers a dirt track that goes high into the mountain, as well as a 4x4 trail. R50 per car or R80 per 4x4.
+27 (0)23 232 1700,
Fishing
Fishing is offered in the valley. Black bass and carp can be caught in farm dames and some natural pools in the mountains.
Silverfontein Bass, carp and trout fishing +27 (0)23 232 0531
Wild Olive Farm dam fishing +27 (0)23 232 1160
Horse riding
Montpellier Horse Riding offers groups or individuals by appointment +27 (0)23 230 0723.
Vroelikheid Riding School offers out rides by appointment +27 (0)23 232 0615.
SHOPPING IN TULBAGH
- Explore the art galleries, antique shops and junk shops, as well as the home industry in Church Street
- Buy a pair of quality handcrafted leather shoes & boots at Tarzan Shoe Factory
- Discover the wealth of home industry and unique boutiques and gift shops in the village
Tulbagh Events
Every year Tulbagh plays host to the following events and festivals:- February
Night Harvesting Festival at Twee Jonge Gezellen Wine Estate - April
Tulbagh Food and Wine Show/Goes Dutch - Mid May
The Shark motorcycle rally - End June
Christmas in Winter festival where we deck the streets with decorations and gluewein is the order of the day. - End July
Crayfish & Wine celebration at Montpellier - September
Tulbagh Horse and Wild Flower Show where the valley showcases two of its prized and most beautiful assets. - December
Summer Elegance at Twee Jonge Gezellen Wine Estate - Last weekend of every month
Farmers Market at Things I Love. Offers tasting of the local wines, olives and produce, with decadent delights, as well as arts and crafts. +27 (0) 23 230 1742
Day trips from Tulbagh
-
Southern Cederberg (7 hours)
Take a circular self drive day trip of the Southern Cedarberg, stopping to appreciate the bushman rock art and awesome rock formations at the Stadsal complex.
-
4 Mountain Passes Drive (4 hours)
The 4 Mountain Passes self-drive via Wellington and Ceres takes in the spectacular Nuwe Kloof, Bains Kloof, Mitchell’'s Pass and Gydo pass mountain pass, stopping for a picnic amongst the rock pools and waterfalls. -
Game Viewing (10 hours)
See the Big Five during a day trip safari in a bushfeld environment at Aquila safari. www.aquilasafari.com
(+27) 021 4998 -
Matroosberg
Get taken to the top of the Matroosburg, the tallest peak of the Witzenburg range - it's our own little Switzerland!
+27 (0)23 312 2282
+27 (0)72 295 2978
TULBAGH MAPS
- Tulbagh Street Map (PDF)
- Tulbagh Area Map (PDF)