"The Tradouw Pass, which means; "Women's Path", (in the old Khoi language). Is a 16 kilometer drive through an altitude range of 219 meters. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and rugged mountain drives, in the Langeberg! (This Pass is in the Top 20 Tarred Passes in the Western Cape on an overall rating)
It joins the Towns of Barrydale and Swellendam and was originally built by Thomas Bain. Extensively revamped in recent times, the engineering teams did an outstanding job of preserving the environment and retaining Thomas Bain's character in the design and supporting stonework. Prior to its major upgrade in 1974 the story of Tradouw Pass goes like this:
In 1858 the farmers made a request that a route be made from their farming district to Port Beaufort, at the mouth of the Breede River in order for them to transport their produce, it was only in 1867, nine years later that this was brought as a proposal to parliament. The proposal also included that it be built by convict labour. Sir Thomas Bain was the put in charge of the planning and estimating, and work commenced on the building in 1869. Over the course of the year the convicts worked hard and constructed over 4 km of road through very rough terrain, work which included a great deal of explosive blasting. The following year the number of convicts working on the project was drastically reduced and work slowed down. In 1973, the foreman who had been left in charge after Bain had been transferred, the pass was completed and declared open on 27th October 1873 by the Governor's wife, Lady Barkley. The farming community built a Church at the Northern end of the pass and although 15 years down the line, the community decided to name the Town built around the church: Barrydale, after the Barry family in whose house Sir Thomas Bain lived during the project. The house still stands at the foot of the Pass and still belongs to the Barry family.

("Just a thought- as you drive through this pass, spend a moment thinking of how hundreds of convicts headed up by Sir Thomas Bain carved it out of the rock, without the use of the machinery that would be used today! And just soak in the beauty that is Tradouw Pass.")

The venue combines two buildings—the Temple Chambers, also known as the Board of Executors, built in 1890, and the South African Reserve Bank building, on St. George's
Originally home to the South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers and, later, the Board of Executors (BoE). Located in the centre of the old City, it boasts a strong sense of place. Spread across two Heritage Buildings, all 176 rooms at our 5 star hotel in Cape Town have spectacular city views or overlook the iconic Table Mountain. With its meticulously restored fluted marble columns and original chandeliers, The Lobby Lounge and Bar is the perfect place to unwind with reviving cup of coffee or tea, a slice of heavenly cake or an evening aperitif. Rejuvenate your senses at there award winning 'Jiva Spa'. Indulge in unique and authentic treatments based on the ancient wisdom of the Indian philosophy of wellness or spend time at the fitness centre and heated indoor pool.

"Suurbraak lies in what could easily be termed a little piece of heaven, and because it is not a commercial centre is left largely alone."
This Village was established in 1812, when the London Missionary Society established a mission station to serve the Khoikhoi.
Suurbraak was known as 'Xairy'; meaning paradise- by the Quena tribe of the Khoi, who were the original inhabitants.
Suurbraak is a Settlement in Overberg District Municipality in the Western Cape. It lies in a fold of the Langeberg Mountains just down from the incredible Tradouw Pass. Suurbraak is a small place in South Africa and can be easily explored within a day! (Tour packages of Suurbraak are available)

People still cook on wood burning stoves, use donkey-drawn ploughs and horses and carts to get around – it’s really old-style living and is mostly untouched by development! The local community is rather starved of sources of income.
The heart of the Village of Suurbraak has been preserved, and the Buildings that rest on the Village Square and the two Church buildings have been restored.

Most of the old style houses line the road through town, and if you want to explore, it is a wonderful place to visit and from which to walk – the Wonder Kloof lies across from town, an incredible geological crack in the Langeberg Mountain range, with a number of recently opened hiking trails that take you through the kloof.

The hiking and biking trails and visiting historical buildings are the main attractions of the Town.

It has a population of about 2 252 people, with the majority being the Afrikaans-speaking people

Touwsrivier is a community of approximately 8000 people and is also home to the World's largest CPV Solar Plants! It is located in the Breede Valley Municipality in the Western Cape, South Africa and can be seen from the N1 highway. Established in the 1800s, this peaceful community has experienced severe developmental knocks in recent decades due to its decreased importance in the locomotives sector. Calling it; a ‘Railway Town' is something of a mistake! However understandable because it did begin its life as the first major staging post, locomotive depot and marshalling yard after Cape Town.
It is located on the river of the same name, about 160 kilometers, North-East of Cape Town. The Touwsrivier CPV Solar Project is located just outside of the Town and supplies 50 MW to the National electrical grid.
Sir John Molteno, the first Prime Minister of the Cape Colony between 1872 and 1878, formulated the railway scheme he sent for his consulting engineer, who asked him what was the route he desired. Molteno asked for a map of South Africa, which was brought to him. Taking a ruler, he drew his pen along it, in a direct line from Cape Town to Beaufort West. "But," said the engineer, "that means you go slap bang through the Hex River Mountains." "Never mind," said Molteno, "that is the way I want it to go." The South African Railways Class 23 Locomotive is on display in the Municipal Gardens.

Once a thriving Railway Junction, Touws River is now a small Town that lies at the seldom flowing; Touws and Donkies Rivers. However, despite its declining fortune as a town, Touws River is set in the most beautiful part of the Great Karoo and offers many opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Hiking, horse riding and 4X4 trails and to the north is the popular Kagga Kamma Reserve with ancient Bushman Painting Sites, which are 6000 years old. The nature reserve is also home to a variety of wildlife and bird species.

Touws River is also on the Flowers Route so the best time to visit would be between July and September when the countryside is alive with the beautiful shades of Karoo flowers. The town's name is the Hottentot word for “gate” and is also regarded as the gateway to the famous Route 62, the longest wine route in the World!

Other interesting and unique attractions include a steam engine graveyard and most interesting of all the Loganda Pillars, used for astronomical calculations in the late 1880’s. There is also the Kaggakamma reserve to the north of Touws River, where ancient San painting sites are said to be 6000 years old.

'Touws' is the Hottentot word for ‘gate’ and the town is regarded as the gateway to Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, and as a ‘doorway’ to the Karoo. The town is also on the national flower route, which, between July and September, is alive with the vivid shades of Karoo flowers. Touws River is also home to the Cape’s famous fynbos, succulent Karoo and rare renosterveld vegetation and its wide spaces and beautiful views make it a wonderful space in which to unwind.

The Cape Town Suburb of Bothasig is known for the wonderful Christmas lights displays that residents have been putting up for the last few Years. Decorated Houses are mainly found in the smaller streets East of Bosmansdam Road, on the Plattekloof Road to the end of Bothasig. Bosmansdam High School in this Suburb, was founded in 1971. It is a dual medium Afrikaans and English School. The School is state assisted, like most other schools in South Africa, it charges a set amount of money for its services. The School offers a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities in addition to its academic program. Bothasig and Bosmansdam High School are located on what was originally the Farm, 'Bosmansdam'. Part of the land was taken over by the Municipality between 1961 and 1989. Bosmansdam was renamed Bothasig ("Botha's Vision") after the then Minister of Housing and later President; P.W. Botha. He subsequently presented a house to the first resident! The Town grew rapidly and it soon became clear that there was a need for a High School. The first staff consisted of only seven members. The first school committee was elected on 17 March 1971 under chairmanship of Mr. M.J. van Schoor. Initially the school motto was UNITAS but changed to UNITATE FORTIOR ('stronger through unity'). The School colours were also different at first with blue, orange and white making way in 1982 for blue, red and gold. The official emblem and tie were adopted in 1989. The school song was composed by the well-known; Dirkie de Villiers with lyrics by his wife Doll. 1980 saw the first appearance of VOX (voice), the School paper.