It is difficult to talk about Zoar or Amalienstein separately, so interwoven are these sister Towns. They lie adjacent to one another on Route 62, they are both on the Missionary Route (that includes Mamre, Genadendal, Wuppertal, Steinkopf and Elim) and both Towns are under-explored and dependent on Tourism, for their survival.
Their History goes something like this: Zoar was the first of the South African Missionary Society's (SAMS) 'projects', established in 1817. Interestingly the Berlin Mission Society ran the Mission Station on behalf of SAMS, only to fall out over something vital enough that one of the injured parties established Amalienstein, just next door. Both Missions received substantial funding from a Baroness Amalie von Stein.
But the Towns' History goes deeper than this. The Locals 'colonized' by the Missionaries were from the Attequa tribe, descendants of the Korana (a Quena/Khoi tribe). Their Culture and way of life is fast dying with the elders of the Town, who are now trying to preserve and share what little they know as part of a 'Kannaland Storytelling Initiative' to capture, share and showcase the History they remember. These informal and off-the-cuff sessions are the best way to meet the people of Amalienstein and Zoar.

To do in Zoar and Amalienstein:
Drive into Amalienstein and visit the Church and its yellow-wood pews. The local coffee shop will also make you feel welcome or you can explore the Kanna Biodiversity Route, established by Open Africa as a way to introduce visitors to Zoar. You can also be adventurous and catch the 'Zoar Donkey Taxi', through the Village. For the Children there is a 'Land and Sand environmental excursion', with Allicatt Tours (Alistair Reizenberg), based in Zoar.

Established in 1951, Slanghoek Cellar is situated in the picturesque Slanghoek Valley, 800 m above sea level, surrounded by the majestic Slanghoek Mountains from which the cellar derives its name. Slanghoek Cellar is a mere 20 km from Worcester and 90 km from Cape Town!
The Valley’s Geographic position, fertile, varied soils and micro climate are reflected in the unique character of Slanghoek’s renowned and prize-winning red, white, sparkling, dessert wines and port. Since the first harvest more than half a Century ago, Slanghoek’s producers, viticulturists and winemakers have pledged their commitment to the cultivation of quality wine grapes and wine making in order to yield premium wines Year after Year!
Innovative Technology and modern Cellar Equipment enable the Winemakers and their team, to produce wines that boast sought-after titles and prestigious awards.
Wine lovers are invited to experience the fruits of the winemakers’ labour and true Boland hospitality in the beautiful Slanghoek Wine Tasting Centre. Other not-to-be-missed activities at Slanghoek Cellar include our scheduled “Blend & Bottle” sessions, where visitors are invited to blend their own bottle of wine under the knowledgeable guidance of our winemakers.
The Cellar also boasts a newly redesigned mountain bike route, offering a scenic ride along the Mountains, through Vineyards and Mountain Streams, and you might even get a glimpse of a Springbok or two along the way! For those who wish to explore the Area, there are an abundance of other outdoor activities – 4×4 Routes, Canoeing on the Breede River, hiking trails, trout fishing, as well as plenty of charming guest Houses and fine Restaurants in the Vicinity.

There really is no adjective apt enough to describe the beauty of the Breede River Valley. This incredibly picturesque fruit and wine producing vale has become extremely popular with Capetonians and visitors. This is in no small part because it is close enough to the Mother City to reach easily within a couple of hours, but also because little Towns like Robertson, McGregor, Ashton, Bonnievale, Tulbagh and Montagu that litter the Valley are particularly appealing to visitors, and together with outlying Farms, provide a space that gives City dwellers, instant reprieve from the grind of City living!
Mountain Ranges abound in the Valley and there are roughly 10 alternative, scenic Routes that lead one here, depending from which direction one comes!
The Breede River Valley stretches from McGregor in the South and Gouda in the West, to Montagu in the East and the Karoo in the North, with the N1 passing virtually through its Centre in a North Easterly, direction.
It derives its name from the Breede River that rises in the Mountains near Ceres and flows through the Valley en route to the Indian Ocean. This River serves as the main water source, for the Breede River Valley.
It is the Western Cape’s, most navigable wide river (Breede is Afrikaans for ‘wide’) has its source in the Skurweberg Mountains around Ceres before flowing over Mitchell's Pass and on through the Breede River Valley, meeting the Indian Ocean at Witsand, one of the best whale watching Coastal Towns of the Overberg.
The Valley is littered with wine producing vines due too the hot climate that is perfect for fortified desert wines like Hanepoot and Muscadel in particular. More than 50 Wine Estates are incorporated into various wine Routes within the Valley as well as a Brandy Route. The extremely popular Route 62, marketed as the longest wine Route in the World, makes its way through the Valley to the Klein Karoo, too. The towering, Du Toit Kloof Mountains in particular offer incredible views over the Valley as one comes across the Pass.

Worcester is a Town in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is located 120 Kilometers North-East of Cape Town. This River has a rich History covering a time when the Region was inhabited by Indigenous Hunter Gathers and Pastorals, followed by Trekker Farmers and later the introduction of Commerce and Industrial change. Owing to its situation in the Breede River Valley, the Worcester Museum is a Cultural History Museum with a strong focus on Agriculture. The collections emphasize the Cape Colonial History with Agricultural Implements, Wagons, Furniture, Glass, Ceramics, Textiles and Metal Goods. The Grounds have been developed with structures forming a Traditional Cape Farmyard. Live demonstrations depict activities of a bygone era such as the baking of bread in an outdoor brick oven and the forging of metal by a Blacksmith. The Museum has a well-developed Educational Function, offering an Annual program with the focus on Traditional Farm and Household Traditions such as: The tramping of grapes for wine making; shearing sheep; milking cows and candle making. The Museum is consistently working at establishing and maintaining networks across the Community. One of the Museum objectives is promoting Social harmony and dialogue. Consultative Workshops are being held in the Worcester Community to gauge the support for new Museum interpretations of the development of Worcester and its People. The Community rich in its diversity, will find a common platform at the Museum, to show case itself! Another attraction is, The Karroo Desert National Botanical Garden, which is a truly unique Garden. It Cultivates and Displays a wide variety of arid and semi-arid plants. The 154 Hectare Garden, lies at the foot of the Hex River Mountain range, 120 km North of Cape Town. Only 11 hectares are cultivated and the remaining 143 hectares, are comprised of natural vegetation. 'The Shale Trail and Grysbokkie Trail'; are the two Hiking Trails in the Natural Area. The most popular time to visit the Garden is during Spring, when the Annuals and 'Vygies', are in flower! The best time to see the Spring Flowers is from late July till late September. The Garden is also home to a large Succulent Collection. (Please contact the office to pre-arrange a guided tour if you wish to see this collection)

Worcester also, forms part of the magnificent Cape Winelands and falls under the Municipality of the Breede River Valley. The Area of Worcester has been producing wines for generations, and is Nationally acclaimed for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, as well as the lesser known Columbar. In fact, the Worcester Wine Route contributes about one-fifth of the National vineyards and more than a quarter of the Country’s total wine and spirits production, making it a major player in this industry. Well-known Wine Estates along the Worcester Wine Route include the Estates of: 'Slanghoek; De Wet; KWV Brandy; Brandvlei; Du ToitsKloof and Opstal'.
The Worcester Wine & Olive Route; boasts twelve Wine Cellars and one Olive Estate. It offers an unforgettable experience for anyone from novice to the connoisseur. Situated a 110km from Cape Town (depending on which wine cellars you include on your route) all the cellars are open to the public for wine tasting and sales. Some of the cellars also have Bistros and Restaurants on their Vineyards. This Area, has been producing wines for generations and acclaimed for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, as well as the Columbar. It prides itself on both National and International Awards of distinction, contributing to about one-fifth of the National Vineyards and more than a quarter of the Country’s total wine and spirits production!
The Worcester Area, which includes the Nuy Valley, the De Doorns Area and the R43 area, is known for value-for-money wines and olive products. Make a day trip of the Route and stop in-between wine and olive tasting to enjoy the Bistros and Restaurants on the route, or experience the Worcester Wine & Olive Route on a weekend away and stay over at one of the beautiful, Guest Houses situated on the Route.
For any Cyclist, especially to Mountain Bikers, the Worcester Area is perfect. There are Routes for every type of Cyclist. Short Routes for families with children, Scenic Routes that will keep you cycling all day long, as well as Routes challenging every inch of muscle in your body. The fact that the 'Absa Cape Epic', has visited Worcester as a host Town no less than 4 times in the History of the event, is testimony enough and should already give Riders a good indication of what to expect!
Worcester is surrounded by impressive Mountains (including Elandskloof, Du Toitskloof, Slanghoek and Little Drakenstein). These towering rocky Peaks not only give the entire Area an unmistakable beauty, that remains a little mysterious, but also plays an important role in the climate and, therefore, the crops and wines that result.
The climate here is more extreme, as the Mountains prevent many of the equalising factors from taking effect. Summers are hot and dry, and Winters are cold, wet and can sometimes bring snow on the Mountain Peaks. Spring and Autumn are temperate and pleasant (perfect for wine tastings and outdoor lunches).

Tugela River, the largest River in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. It rises as a stream on the 3,050-metre high, Mont-aux-Sources Plateau near the merger point of the Lesotho–Free State Province borders. Its upper course, which lies within Royal Natal National Park, flows through the Drakensberg range before hurtling down in a series of Waterfalls having a total drop of, 948 Meters. The River then cuts through Tugela Gorge at the foot of the Escarpment, about 500 m above sea level. The River is quickly joined by many Tributaries and passes through the Ladysmith Basin, and below Colenso, becomes narrow and deep. At Jameson’s Drift it enters the wide, open Tugela Trough, at the Eastern end of which it cuts deeply through a great block of sandstone to issue onto the coastal Plain. After years of controversy the World Waterfall Database has recently concluded that Tugela Falls in the South African Drakensberg is indeed the highest waterfall in the world! This is when measured in OVERALL HEIGHT. (These 5 cascades of Tugela Falls; counted together is the highest Waterfall in the World, at 948m!)
For bird lovers the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve is interesting. The nature protection Area of about 100 hectares lies on the Southern Banks of the Tugela River, almost 6 kilometres before the River Mouth. More than 200 Bird Species were registered here. And there live Zebras, Monkeys, Mon-geese and some Antelope Species.
The mouth of the Tugela is historically rather significant. Vasco da Gama named a Cape Close by, the Ponta da Pescaria, in December 1497, after the great many Fish they were able to catch in the Area. Today, the Tugela Mouth remains a popular Fishing Destination both on Shore and out at Sea. On the Shore you can always pull: 'Diamond Skate; Flat Fish and the odd Grunter and Cob', during Summer.
The Tugela Beach is wonderful. Just below a dramatic black and white striped Lighthouse, it stretches for miles and is generally not inundated with people. Swimming in Rock Pools, Sunbathing, Bird Watching, Turtle Spotting, majestic Whales during October and November, and lovely Areas along the River Bank for Mountain Biking and Hiking make the Area an excellent space in which to relax.

Once a Year the Tugela Mouth is Home to the Tugela Raft Race - a big attraction in the Area. Other attractions include a Fig tree known as the Ultimatum Tree, protected in the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve, the Amatikulu Nature Reserve, Fort Dunford and Fort Tenedos - two Historic Forts built by the British during the Anglo-Zulu War, at least 10 golf courses within 100 km of the Mouth of the River, and three Casinos