Montagu travel guide

Although Montagu is very much a Karoo town, it is usually visited by people exploring the Breede River Valley. It is 245 km from Oudtshoorn, the administrative centre for the Little Karoo, and only 15 minutes’ drive from Ashton and the Breede River. It is a delightful place in a stunning setting, its long streets lined with oak trees and whitewashed Cape Dutch houses, sitting humbly beneath jagged mountain peaks. Founded in 1851, the settlement was named after John Montagu who, as the colonial secretary from 1843 to 1853, had been responsible for the first major road-building programme in the Cape. The greatly improved road network enabled previously remote settlements such as Montagu to thrive and grow. From its early days the region was recognized as ideal for fruit and wine production. The valley was fertile and the climate ideal for vines. In 1940 the Langeberg Co-op was formed, which proved to be the necessary boost for the local economy. Within 10 years, local production of apples and pears had doubled, while over a period of 16 years the wine produced increased by fivefold.

More recently, in November 2008 Montague and to some extent Ashton, Barrydale and Robertson, witnessed severe flooding. Bridges were washed away, which for a while left the village stranded, and there was extensive damage at the Avalon Springs Resort. Nevertheless, today bridges providing access to the town have been repaired and the resort reopened in early 2009.

The exceptionally helpful and enthusiastic Montagu Tourism Bureau 24 Bath St, T023-614 2471, http://www.montagu-ashton.info, http://www.tourismmontagu.co.za, Mon-Fri 0830- 1730, Sat-Sun 0900-1700, has several useful leaflets including one about the historic homes in the area. The Montagu Market Bath St, opposite the tourist office, Sat 0980-1300, is good for crafts, food and collectables.

Joubert House 25 Long St, T023-614 1774, museum: Mon-Fri 0900-1300, 1400-1630, Sat-Sun 1030-1230, R5, the oldest building in the town, is now part of the museum (housed further along Long Street). The house has a collection of late 19th-century furnishings and ornaments and part of the garden has been turned into an indigenous medicinal plant collection.

Long Street, a popular attraction, has 14 national monuments along its length. With so many well-preserved buildings, it is easy to get a vivid impression of how the settlement would have looked in its early days and the tourist office sells a booklet about the houses.

The Montagu Nature Garden Van Riebeeck St, T023-614 2590, daily, small entrance fee, teas served on Tue and the first Sat of the month, May-Nov, the best time to visit is spring (Aug-Oct), on the south side of the Kinga River off Van Riebeeck Street, has the largest collection of mesembryanthemums in the country.

Just 3 km from the town centre are the hot mineral springs at the Avalon Springs Resort T023-614 1150, R25, R18 child. There are two indoor pools and five outdoor pools, all at different temperatures. At the weekends and holidays it gets very busy so try to go early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler. The waters are radioactive and have a steady temperature of 48°C. In 1980 Montagu suffered a tragic setback when continued heavy rains in the Langeberg resulted in a flash flood down the Keisie River. It was a local catastrophe and 13 people were killed. The hotel was filled with several metres of sand and debris and the hot springs were covered with mud, but the town itself was barely touched. Again in 2008, the resort was damaged by flooding, though this time the town did not fare as well and some houses, trees and vehicles were washed away but thankfully there were no human victims.

Tractor rides Protea Farm, from Montagu, take the R318 towards Matroosberg, after 30 km the road descends the Burger Pass into the Koo Valley, book at the tourist office T023-614 2471, or through the website, http://www.proteafarm.co.za, R70, R35 child, trips usually go Wed and Sat 1000 and 1400 if there are enough takers, to the top of the Langeberg mountains are on offer from Neil Burger, a local farmer; the trip leaves from his farm in the Koo Valley. There are impressive views across the Karoo and down into the Breede River Valley from the summit. For an extra R80 (R50 for children) you get an excellent meal of potjie, home-baked bread and a drink. Note that the tractor does not operate in October. Wear warm clothes....read more