Wellington
Description
Wellington is a quaint town in the captivating Cape Winelands, in the Western Cape. Situated just 45 minutes from Cape Town, Wellington is the ideal day trip with activities such as wine, olive, and cheese tastings and tours, as well as awe-inspiring nature trails and historical attractions to explore. Book your Wellington accommodation below.
Situated at the foot of the Groenberg Mountain, Wellington forms the centre of the Cape Winelands. The economy is based on a thriving agricultural industry, including wine, table grapes, deciduous fruits, olives, cheeses, and brandy. Due to an increase in tourism, a number of accommodations are available in Wellington to suit all needs and budgets.
The Wellington Wine Route is one of the youngest; launched in the mid-1990s. Visitors can enjoy an authentic wine experience along the Bovlei Valley at award-winning estates such as Doolhof, Dunstone, Nabygelegen, Welvanpas, or Bosman. All (except Bosman) are within walking distance of each other, making it an extremely popular route. Choose between five different guided walks through the Wellington Valley to enjoy tastings of wine and other farm products.
Wellington has a prosperous industry of brandy production and olive and fruit farming. Visit Hildenbrand Wine and Olive Estate, rumoured to have the oldest olive tree planted in South Africa; and Foxenburg Organic Cheese and Olive Estate with its organic olives, oyster mushrooms, and herd of Swiss Saanen goats. For those who love cheese, Wellington is home to Buffalo Ridge, one of only two farms in the southern hemisphere that produces original Italian Mozzarella from original Italian water buffalo.
Take a tour of the Upland Organic Wine and Brandy Estate, which has been producing organic Brandy, Grappa, Port, and Cabernet Sauvignon for over a decade. Sample fruits, go berry picking, or enjoy a guided tour at Wellington’s berry farm, which has an array of strawberries, raspberries, youngberries, and Cape gooseberries.
Wellington has a proud history and historical attractions to match. Visit the Wellington Museum, the Dutch Reformed Church, and Bain's Kloof Pass (a historical monument). Also worth a visit are the Anglo-Boer War Blockhouses, Cummings House, Ouma Granny's House, and Lady Loch steel bridge (the first all steel bridge built in South Africa).
Places of interest include the Florida Nursery (with a farm shop and small zoo), Die Vonds Snake Park, Klein Olyvenbosch Garden, Breytenbach Centre, Wellington Golf Course, the labyrinth at Doolhof Wine Estate, and Langkloof Roses where one can purchase and pick their own roses.
Nature lovers will be in their element in Wellington. Visit Limietberg Nature Reserve, a 102 000 hectare reserve with nine different trails, from short strolls to overnight hikes; or Bontebok Ridge Game Reserve to spot zebra that are part of an attempt to re-breed the extinct quagga - an animal with identical DNA to the Plains zebra.
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