Caledon Places of Interest
The N2 winding its way from Cape Town via the rolling hills and endless wheat fields of the Overberg generally blasts you past Caledon at speed. If you’ve not stopped in this farming town it is certainly long overdue, if only to experience the hot springs on the slopes of Klein Swartberg.
The mineral baths today form part of the Caledon Casino Hotel and Spa, an elegant establishment built on warm country hospitality and a variety of sporting and leisure amenities.
The Caledon Museum is also worth a visit if you are interested in discovering the town’s history. The museum is split up into two buildings, which displays different parts of local memorabilia. The Victorian House depicts artifacts that reflect the spirit of the community. There are bread-baking demonstrations, displays of an old Victorian kitchen and other household items from the era.
The Masonic Lodge has a visual historic recollection of the coloured community of the area before the Group Areas Act was put into place in the 1950’s. Religious buildings include the Holy Trinity Church, and the NG Moederkerk.
Nature Enthusiast Destinations
Another must-see in town is the internationally-renowned Victoria Wild Flower Garden and Reserve, famed for splendid display of wild blooms, with an incredible 135 different species of Protea alone.
The Caledon Wildflower Reserve offers a 10 km hike through the reserve’s stunning spectacle of wildflowers and natural mountain fynbos, up to the summit of the Swartberg. The flora and fauna are memorable displays of South Africa’s indigenous floral kingdom. Although the trail is steep, the views of the Cape Overberg area are definitely worth the climb. Hikers should bring their own water.
The De Hoopvlei hike is a 24 km route that takes around 6 hours to complete and is relatively easy. Starting on the calcrete cliffs behind t...