Bredasdorp

Bredasdorp - Overberg - Western Cape - South Africa

Bredasdorp was founded on the farm Langefontein in 1838, by the Hon. Michiel van Breda, who was the first mayor of Cape Town and a member of the Cape Legislative Council.

The old farm homestead together with the old Independent Church alongside, are both national monuments and both buildings today house a unique and fascinating collection of shipwreck memorabilia. The Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp, tells the tale of the fate of many a soul who encountered the nearby treacherous Agulhas Bank which stretches some 80 kilometres out to sea and was the cause of the demise of many experienced seamen and their vessels.

The thatch roof homestead, one of the first to be constructed in Bredasdorp, was built in 1845 and although built on the traditional U-plan there are signs that its builders were not artisans - the 50 centimetre thick mud-brick walls are irregular and opposite walls are not parallel. Other interesting features are the skew lintels and roof beams taken from the wrecks along the coast. After 1885 the building became the home of the rector of the Anglican Church and is still known as the Rectory. The old church building was their hall.

Next to the Rectory is the dignified old slate roofed neo-Gothic style Independent Church which was built 1860. The founding of the church had to do with an unfortunate period in the history of the Dutch Reformed Church in Bredasdorp when the independent congregation broke away from the mother church and continued as such until 1875. Bredasdorp has a street named after this event; Independent Street.

Founded in 1838 by Michiel van Breda, the first mayor of Cape Town, Bredasdorp is situated at the foot of the Heuningberg and is the centre of a prosperous farming region, (wool, grain and dairy products). This area is rich in fynbos and South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, is often sighted among the wheatfields.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 188 km, Mossel Bay 241 km, Worcester 190 km, Swellendam 72 km.

HISTORICAL VIEW

Agricultural Museum and Merino Ram Statue

The museum houses a collection of farming equipment and the largest collection of bottles in the southern hemisphere. The Ram Statue pays tribute to the role played by merino sheep in the economic development of the region.

Aubrey Blignault Room

This well known South African essayist was born in Bredasdorp.

Bredasdorp Museum

The museum consist of three sections

The Old Parsonage

Is a typical ‘strandveldhuis’ (Overberg home) and is furnished with articles salvaged along the coast. Here too, in safe keeping, is a collection of newspaper cuttings and other trivia form / regarding shipwrecks

The Independent Church

Is now the Shipwreck Museum, a world famous museum housing several artifacts, such as figureheads, anchors, bells, flags, coins, portholes, porcelain, cannons and rare items of furniture – all recovered from the many vessels which came to grief along this stretch of coastline (often referred to as the ‘Graveyard of Ships’ due to the numerous vessels wrecked on it’s shores – 120 wrecks recorded to date).

The Old Coach House

Houses a collection of Cape carts, a skotch-cart, two horse drawn hearses and a splendid old fire-engine.

Bontebok Fence Monument

Near Nacht Wacht farm on the road to Waenhuiskrans is the first protective fence, put up in 1837 to save the bontebok from extinction.

Dutch Reformed Church

A dispute between two community leaders about where to built the church resulted in two churches and two towns Bredasdorp and Napier. This church is an impressive example of Cape Gothic artitecture.

Milkwood Tree

A National Monument at Rhenostersfontein.

Zoetendalsvlei Farm

The first merino farm in South Africa

NATURE

De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve is situated 50 km east of Bredasdorp on the southern Cape coast and comprises 36 000 ha, with an adjacent marine reserve extending three nautical miles (5 km) out to sea. The nature reserve includes a large vlei, limestone hills, extensive sand dunes and the Potberg mountain range. De Hoop is important for the conservation of rare lowland fynbos and, of it’s 1500 plant species, 50 are endemic to the area. A typical Mediterranean climate prevails in the region, with mild winters and warm summers. The annual rainfall is about 380 mm and August is usually the wettest month. Weak frogs also occur. The most frequent summer winds are east, west and southeast, while in winter westerly and southwesterly winds prevail. The reserve has 86 mammal species, most notably the rare bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, as well as eland, grey rhebuck, baboon, yellow mongoose, caracal and the occasional leopard. Large populations of bats occur at De Hoop. The marine reserve provides a sanctuary for Southern Right whales, which calve here each year from May to December. More than 260 species of birds have been recorded at De Hoop. Potberg has the last remaining breeding colony of the rare Cape vulture in the Western Cape. The De Hoop Vlei is a wetland of international importance for migratory waterbirds. Numerous frogs, snakes, lizards, tortoises and invertebrate species occur in the different habitats of De Hoop, and at least 250 fish species occur in the marine reserve. Accommodation facilities consist of cottages and a camping area with sites for tents and caravans.

Heuningberg Nature Reserve

Located at the foot of the Bredasdorp Mountains. The Red Bredasdorp Lily, proteas and Erica are found here. The Bredasdorp Lily blooms during April and May. Offers several hiking and nature trails ranging from 2 km to 15 km.

De Mond Nature Reserve

Situated 26 km southeast of Bredasdorp on the southwestern Cape coast. The 954 ha reserve lies at the mouth of the Heuningnes River between the coastal villages of Arniston / Waenhuiskrans and Struisbaai. The reserve comprises former sections of the farms Zoetendals Vallei and Bushy Park. It was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1986 and is managed as a satellite of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Mond has a rich birdlife, making it ideal for bird watching. Rare species such as the Damara Tern and the Giant Tern can be seen. The reserve offers picnic sites, but no overnight facilities are available.

Zoetendalsvlei

This large body of fresh water attracts bird lovers from all over the country. The farm Zoetendalsvlei is not open to the public.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Bredasdorp Agricultural Show – Febraury

Bredasdorp Flower Show – September (Every 2^nd year)

Bredasdorp Foot Of Africa Festival – October

De Hoop Fynbos Half Marathon – August

Bontebok K1 Canoe Racing – May

ACTIVITIES

Mountain Biking / Cycling

De Hoop Mountain Bike Trail

This hike trail allows cyclists to enjoy the beautiful area of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. There are five different day routes of varying lengths which can be made from an overnight hut at Cupidoskraal. Twelve people can be accommodated.

1. Vaalkrans Route – The only route west of Cupidoskraal, and closest to Potberg.

2. Lekkerwater Route – has a good road, with some very smooth downhill sections towards the coast.

3. Hammerkop Route – the Hammerkop and Stilgat routes are the most demanding. Hammerkop is mostly limestone and rock, with little smooth riding, the more experienced rider will find it most rewarding.

4. Stilgat Route – more rocky and difficult than the Hammerkop route and should provide the more adventurous rider with lots of fun. The route offers stunning views along the coastline. Riders must be warned that the sea is particularly dangerous in this area. A few rock pools provide safe snorkelling and swimming.

5. Noetzie Route – a fairly long ride out from Cupidoskraal in an easterly direction to Noetzie, an easy route with only a few sections of sand. Affords beautiful views of the bay. There are a few rock pools and at low ride the rocky bay is fairly calm for swimming.

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