If you’ve been heading north for a while you might feel like (another slice of) Kardoesie’s renowned carrot cake by now, but you can do that on your way back to Cape Town. In fact, it’s a bit of an obligatory stop for many. So – continue north to Vanrhynsdorp for now.

Located on the West Coast Way Wild Route

West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists

Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.

Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way: Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve. For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Vanrhynsdorp is located on the West Coast Way Wild Route. The original farm on which Vanrhynsdorp stands was called Troe-Troe which means return-return. As with many other towns in South Africa the building of the church was the beginning of the town.

The original gaol housed a museum as long ago as the 1970’s; the last prisoners left in the 1930’s. At a stage the building fell into a state of disrepair but it has been lovingly restored. These days the premises offer a restaurant; it sells bric-a-brac and succulents and it has antiques to admire or acquire. Each cell has a different theme. Rumours of ghosts abound for those who are brave enough to try to meet up with them.

Vanrhynsdorp also made it into the history annals of South Africa. On Friday, the 10th of March 1933, Victor Smith had the dubious honour of making one of the first successful forced landings in South Africa, en route from Cape Town to London on a solo flight. He landed on the Knersvlakte near Vanrhynsdorp.

Vanrhynsdorp is perfectly positioned to use as a base for exploring Namaqualand flowers in season. Around Vanrhynsdorp you have one of the most diverse succulent regions – including dwarf succulents – in the world. Many plant species are endangered which makes it all the more special to be seen on a trip into the veld.

Vygies in all the shades of orange and purple parade in the flower season when visitors from all over the world visit Vanrhynsdorp to experience this unique occurrence.

In the vicinity of the Varsch River (‘varsch’ means fresh) just north of Vanrhynsdorp is a good birding area where birders can tick off the Namaqua Sandgrouse, different Lark species (Clapper-, Karoo- and Spike-heeled-) the European Bee-Eater, the Cape Penduline Tit, the Ant-eating Chat and the Rufous-eared Warbler.

Once you have explored Vanrhynsdorp you can continue on to the Namaqualand and the Hantam Karoo though keep in mind that it’s always worthwhile to pay a visit to Piketberg, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam, Wupperthal, Nieuwoudtville and Garies.

Find Vanrhynsdorp on the West Coast Way Wild Route.

Open 7 days a week
Distance from Cape Town: 303.4 km
Where: N7
Coordinates: 31.6092° S, 18.7452° E
Contact: +27 (0)27 201 3371 | [email protected]

West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists

Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.

Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way: Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve. For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.