Robertson

Robertson is named after the Reverend William Robertson

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Robertson (population 17'000) is in the Breede River Valley on the R62 between Worcester in the west and Ashton and Montagu in the east. The Langeberg Mountain range is north of the town, and the Riviersonderend Mountains run south along the east-west axis. Cape Town is two hours drive away from Robertson. McGregor is south, past the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, and Bonnievale is east on the R317.

Architecture

There are many buildings in the Victorian and Georgean styles in town.

Some of the national monuments in town are:

Pink Church (1859), the Museum (1860), No 12 Piet Retief Street (1904 in Edwardian style), No 59 Van Reeneen Street (1914 in Victorian style), the Powder House.

Druids Lodge was built in 1863 and contains period articles.

Silver Strand Holiday Resort

Silver Strand Holiday Resort is a popular holiday resort on the banks of the Breede River.

Dassieshoek Nature Reserve

The Dassieshoek Nature Reserve is between Robertson and Koo.

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

The Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve is between Robertson and McGregor.

Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve

The Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve (2000Ha) is between Robertson and Ashton. It is in the Langeberg mountains and offers hiking trails, swimming, and fishing.

Things to do

Fishing, golf, nature reserves, horse riding through vineyards, rock climbing, 4X4 routes, succulent gardens, bird watching, maze walking, wine tasting, river rafting, viewing world renowned race horses.

Visit local cheeseries.

Hiking

Arangieskop Trail, Dassieshoek trail.

Cogmans Kloof

Soekershof Walkabout at Klaas Voogds.

Events

Wacky Wine Weekend wine festival.

Wine cellars

Some popular wine cellars are:

• Bon Cap
• Excelsior Estate
• Graham Beck
• Majors Hill
• Springfield

History

Robertson was founded in 1852 on the farm Roode Zand (meaning Red Sand), owned by J van Zyl. The town was named after the Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Reverend Dr William Robertson.

In the 1800s it was a centre for the wagon building industry. After the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), rail transport took over and the wagon building industry collapsed. Ostrich farming was then introduced, which also collapsed after World War I. Farmers then turned to wine and fruit farming.

Climate

Today's Weather Report

Economy

Farming: Horses, grapes, roses, vegetables, almonds, olives, coriander.

The Langeberg cannery is the largest in the southern hemisphere.

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