Bredasdorp

Bredasdorp was established as a town in 1838 and gained municipal status in 1917. Bredasdorp was named after Michiel van Breda, the first Mayor of the Cape and known as the ‘Father of the Merino Sheep Industry’.

Van Breda and Pieter Voltelyn van der Byl could not agree on a location for the NG church; as a result, two churches were built, and the two towns of Bredasdorp and Napier developed. Bredasdorp is the administrative centre for the southern end of Africa.

©Chris Daly
The town of Bredasdorp is not only known for Merino sheep farming. One of the principal products being wheat. Overberg, South Africa.

The town is situated on the slopes of a hill called the Preekstoel (pulpit) on the ridge of which, grow a profusion of giant proteas. The principal products of the district are wheat, wool and wildflowers.

The town is predominantly a farming town but has tourists passing by or staying to visit the Heuningberg Nature Reserve. Bredasdorp is not only known for it’s Merino sheep farming but it is also where the Foot of Africa Marathon, the toughest in South Africa, takes place in October. Whilst in the area you may want to visit the Bredasdorp Museum, which is dedicated to the Shipwreck of the Arniston.

By Ann Gadd

Bredasdorp - Heart of the Overberg

Bredasdorp is the closest town of any significance to Heuningberg Nature Reserve, Cape Agulhas and to the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The Shipwr...more

Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum

It is strange how in landlocked Bredasdorp, the presence of the ocean is so palpable. More than 250 vessels have been lost on this coast and...more