Tulbagh, Western Cape

Valley of Abundance

The village of Tulbagh lies in a serene and unspoiled valley about 90 minutes from the city lights of Cape Town. It is a charming historic town with a wealth of Cape Dutch architecture and is surrounded on three sides by the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains, providing one of the most beautiful settings in the Western Cape. 

Diverse flora is abundant in the valley with Proteas and herbs growing wild here and peaches, pears and probably 70% of the country’s plums are farmed in the valley. What the area is most well-known for though is its production of some of the country’s finest wines. Wine has been cultivated in the area since 1906 and table grapes and a considerable amount of wine, mainly white table varieties and sherries, are produced from wineries such as:

• Historic Church Street
• Oakhurst Olives
• Drosdy-Hof
• Fable Wines
• Lemberg Wine Estate
• Saronsberg Wine Estate
• Theuniskraal Wines
• Twee Jonge Gezellen
• Montpellier Wine Estate

Among the all this scenic beauty, Tulbagh is a true historic town with the proud record of the highest number of National Monuments on any one street in South Africa. An earthquake in 1964, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, damaged the some of the old buildings on Church Street, but most were restored and today make up the largest concentration of National Monuments, 32 in total.

Tulbagh is a wonderful country holiday destination and the locals are known to be friendly, warm and welcoming. Accommodation comes in the way of country homes, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and self-catering units.

Places to Visit

Things to do and see

• Tulbagh Wine Estate
• Tulbagh Wine Route
• De Oude Drosty
• Schalkenbosch Wines
• House of Krone, Twee Jonge Gezellen
• Theuniskraal Wine Estate
• Nuwekloof Pass
• Bainskloof Pass
• The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
• 42 on Church
• Oude Kerk Volksmuseum
• Crystal Cave
• Murludi Hiking Trail

Climate

The area receives most of its’ rainfall during winter, with June seeing the highest levels.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 16˚C and 31˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 5˚C and 17˚C.

Transport

There are daily domestic and international flights into Cape Town International Airport. Car rental companies are located at the Airport.

Festivals

June – Christmas in Winter:A winter weekend Christmas. The whole town participates and decorates its streets, Father Christmas rides through the streets handing treats to children and the restaurants and various venues offer traditional Christmas meals. Visit craft stalls and estates offering various festive activities and entertainment.

December – Witzenville Faire:A street faire held in Witzenville to start off the festive and fruit season. Local talent, food stalls, arts and crafts and plenty of fun.

History

The area was first discovered in 1658 by Pieter Potter, surveyor general to the first Govenor of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck. Tulbagh is the fourth oldest town in the country, after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam. By 1699 14 farmers had settled in the area which was then known as the Land of Waveren, in honour of a family in Holland with whom Governor W A van der Stel was connected. The town itself only began to develop in 1743 and grew around the Old Church which was completed in 1756.

Modern Tulbagh started to emerge in 1795 and was named in 1804 after the Dutch governor, Ryk Tulbagh.

Tulback prospered in the days after the Kimberly diamond rush in the 1860’s. However, after the construction of Mitchel’s Pass and the arrival of the railway which bypasses the town, Tulbagh grew quiet once more and its’ historic character was preserved.

The earthquake of 1969 caused structural damage to many buildings, but national fundraising saw to a very successful restoration project come to light.