Spring into a road trip:
Top spots to experience the annual flower spectacle
“What a lonely place it would be to have a world without a wildflower!”
A riot of colorful indigenous blooms carpet the landscape every year along the Cape west coast and inland up to Namaqualand – an annual spectacle that draws visitors from across the globe.
Hotspots to visit in August and September that offer wonderful flower sightings, as well as fun things to see and do, are the towns of Velddrif, Aurora, Piketberg and Porterville in the Bergrivier district – a beautiful area on Cape Town’s doorstep that offers a vast array of activities and accommodation options, as well as some of the most pristine and untouched nature reserves, wetlands, lagoons and more.
Blooming good places to visit & stay
The popular town of Velddrif hugs the banks of the Berg River, a few kilometres from where the river enters the ocean at St Helena Bay. Visitors can look forward to a profusion of flowers to be enjoyed in the area, while also soaking up the welcoming lifestyle of this coastal village – which offers an abundance of activities, accommodation options, and eateries to suite all tastes.
No trip to Velddrif is complete without a visit to the famous Bokkomlaan. Fringed by the Great Berg River this quaint dirt road is scattered with a cluster of historic buildings and jetties. In addition to the flower-filled scenery, visitors can expect to spot a vast array of birdlife in the Berg River estuary – rated as one of the most important birding areas in the world.
On Saturday 06 August there are a variety of events taking place in Velddrif. These include a flower workshop and exhibition at the SA Fisheries Museum, and a fun flower colour run on the Kruispad Farm – with a 5km and 10km route to choose from, and a fancy-dress competition for the best-dressed flower themed costume. Visitors can also opt to experience the west coast flowers with a 90-minute tractor ride through the indigenous fynbos on a farm that boast a vast tract of stunning blooms.
Just inland from Velddrif, along a stretch of country road that promises wonderful flower sightings, lies the picturesque town of Aurora. This small village offers visitors the chance to look forward to carpets of flowers, dramatic mountain scenery, beautiful architecture, incredible night skies, and a wide variety of bird life.
Be sure to visit the impressive Dutch Reformed Church while in town, and take a drive up the mountain to the Danielshoogte Private Reserve to experience spectacular views of the valley. On clear days, Table Mountain and St Helena Bay can be seen. On the 10th of September flower enthusiasts can take part in a guided flower walk at the Danielshoogte Private Reserve – an up close and personal experience through mountain fynbos and stunning rock formations. The Koekeloer @ Koffiemoer Coffee Shop in Aurora is highly recommended for hungry travelers – and on the 9th of August visitors can look forward to a flower inspired high tea experience.
Another 50km inland from Aurora will see flower-loving road-trippers finding their way to the town of Piketberg, which is nestled at the foot of the Piketberg Mountain range and surrounded by a tapestry of wheat fields, vineyards, fruit farms and indigenous fynbos bearing beautiful blooms in Spring.
The best way to experience the heritage of this town, with its meticulously restored cottages and the spectacular neo-gothic style Dutch Reformed Church, is by doing the Piketberg Historic Route – a tour that takes visitors to the Commercial Hotel, old Sheriff’s Office and original police station, the original bioscope, and the Piketberg Museum. In total the route has 12 points of interest and visitors can walk or drive to each at their leisure. To celebrate spring and the flower season, from the 22nd to the 26th of August visitors can join guided historic tours, and the church will be open to the public for viewing over this time – with a flower arranging event taking place on the 26th.
While in Piketberg, don’t miss Last Friday – a food and art festival that takes place across the village on the last Friday of every month – with August’s event taking place on the 26th. Visitors can expect a celebration of arts, culture, live music and delicious artisanal foods and drinks. On Saturday the 27th a trip up the mountain to Piket-Bo-Berg is a must to visit the Farmers Market, which boasts a plethora of hand-crafted items, farm fresh produce, and artisanal food and drink.
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