Travel bucket lists usually include potentially life-changing journeys to faraway lands. Well, it’s time to share the love … closer to home. Join us and explore Wellington as if you’ve never been here before for your ultimate summer getaway.
Fondly known as the heart of the Winelands, Wellington, has plenty to offer in terms of quality experiences, incredible culture and history, gracious hospitality, and unparalleled natural beauty. Wellington is ideal for multi-generational visitors as it has diverse offerings to entertain young and old. Couples, families and groups of friends will find loads to see and do. The various establishments have enough space to comfortably allow social distancing, while product owners are highly aware of COVID-19 protocols and promote strict adherence to the guidelines. Besides our top attractions there is plenty for you to do during the summer months. Here are a few of our favourites.
GO BACK TO WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Sure, you know your way around Wellington and even the names of all the old buildings, but do you know the history? Often, the story behind how your town was founded and why, can tell some fascinating secrets. A good starting point to familiarise yourself with the town, would be the Wellington Heritage Trails’ free downloadable audio tour: Wagonmakers, Winemakers and Women educators. This self-guided heritage tour will give you a glimpse into the colourful history of the town featuring wagon makers, wine pioneers and female educators, who all played an integral role in the town’s history. An experienced virtual tour guide provides entertaining commentary on the historic attractions and cultural diversity that makes the town and its people come to life. The voice guide is available free of charge in Afrikaans, English and German.
DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED
When we are too familiar with a place, we often forget that there is a certain mystery that lies within an area. There are many spots that you can delve a little deeper in. Discover the peaceful side of Wellington, whether it is by visiting Langkloof Roses or Bartholomeusklip Farm in the Elandsberg Nature Reserve.
Langkloof Roses retains a serene quality and essence of the days when life was still
allowed to be lived slowly and thankfully. This farm offers event facilities, accommodation, a tearoom and other multi-generational outdoor activities that are unique to a farm. In Wellington, a tea tasting at the magnificent Langkloof Roses is a must with their delightful tea room offering a unique spin on tea tasting in a quaint and welcoming haven.
Their Fragrant Rose Foot Soaks will leave you feeling truly pampered, relaxed & refreshed. Sit back and relax in a Rose Oil & Herb Infused Foot Bath and enjoy the breath-taking surroundings. Their Tea Tasting Experience will have you taste and explore four different important natural teas with pairing treats and palate cleaners from their Tea Room. It is a refreshing challenge to your senses!
Bartholomeus Klip Farm is a romantic Victorian farmstead on a large wheat and sheep farm with its own 10 000 acre private nature reserve. The exclusive, elegantly renovated Victorian farmhouse assures personal attention from their friendly staff, and our food by chef Louise Gillett and her team is justifiably renowned. They also have two separate houses suitable for self-catering families or groups of friends, each with its own swimming pool. Wild Olive House sleeps 6 adults, and Heron House sleeps 12. Food and farm produce can be ordered and delivered. Join them for guided nature drives and sundowners in an open Land Rover, explore the reserve on foot or on bicycle, or take in the magnificent scenery from the quiet calm of a kayak on their farm dam.
EXPLORE THE IRRESISTIBLE ATTRACTION OF ADRENALINE
Feted by many as the most beautiful town in the Cape Winelands and certainly it’s active capital, Paarl is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Even for those who are slowed down and nailed to a chair during the year, summer brings exciting challenges such as active adventures. Adventure operators such as Skydive Two Oceans, the Wellington Wine Walk and Wild Boar Trails promise to get the adrenaline pumping with extreme sky activities, superb hiking trails and MTB tracks, to spice up your day in Wellington.
DISCOVER YOUR FAVOURITE VINTAGE
Wellington plays humble host to a goldmine of undiscovered gems. One of these gems are their compact wine route which is literally the cradle of the contemporary SA wine industry. Here you will find wine made with a whole lot of passion, heart and soul!
Enjoy a rare treat by making an appointment for an exclusive tasting with owner Edmund Oettle of Upland Organic Wine and Brandy Estate. They have been practising sustainable and environmentally friendly farming techniques for more than 30 years. Their main farm produce are wines and spirits, but nuts, olives and buchu are also grown.
They recently opened a tasting venue where visitors have the opportunity to taste a range of their products as well as take a short walk and enjoy the beautiful environment, pristine fynbos and forest on the estate. Tastings are by appointment.
Wellington Wines’ Bovlei cellar at the foot of Bainskloof Pass serves as their tasting room with interesting wine pairings offered throughout the year. Visitors can taste and purchase wines in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere with breath-taking views of the mountains and vineyards. host a monthly Moonlight Market during summer and if you are a mountain biking, hiking or flower enthusiast, they are the ideal departure or wine-down spot.
VISIT SUPERB NON-WINE OPTIONS
Visit Villamar for an unforgettable “taste of Italy’ and gourmet coffee! They love to share their love for good quality coffee and food, their homemade creamy gelato and extra virgin olive oil. Taste their special artisanal selection of roasts with their coffee tastings which provides you with an introduction to coffee and the roasting process, from bean to cup, and visitors being challenged to differentiate between the various African and South American blends and single origin brews.
A stop at the only commercial whisky distillery in Africa should definitely form part of your Wellington itinerary. Experience the beauty and craftmanship of South African whiskies at James Sedgwick Distillery. Join them for an intimate distillery tour that provides an introduction to the distillery followed by a tour of the entire whisky making operation – from raw materials all the way to the maturation cellars. A bespoke whisky and sample dish pairing fits the distinctive flavour profiles of their whiskies. Book online via webtickets.
BID THE DAY GOODBYE IN STYLE
Sunsets in Wellington are spectacular during summer. The stunning scenery from Val du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate makes it the ideal spot for sundowners at their restaurant, Pizza Vista with gorgeous views of the Hawequa Mountains. This experience-it-all destination offers accommodation, wine tasting, two onsite restaurants and a spa. Guests can lounge on the lawns next to Pizza Vista where children can cool off under the refreshing spray of the splash pad.
INDULGE IN A PICNIC
Wellington has a great summertime picnic culture. For all the joys of a picnic without the fuss there are truly divine pre-packed picnics you can indulge in. Picnics at Doolhof Wine Estate is, besides wine tasting at their beautiful tasting room, a favourite with all guests. It is a great way to enjoy perfect summers days or for weekend plans. Book a basket (vegetarian and kiddies are also available) and wander their beautiful farm until you find a spot along the river that tickles your fancy.
SECLUDED NATURE GETAWAYS
Situated below the historic Bainskloof Pass at the foothills of the Groenberg Mountain Range lies Africamps at Doolhof. Here, six self-catering boutique glamping tents boast stunning views of mountains: the ideal backdrop for unwinding in the private wood-fired hottub next to the tent. Guests can look forward to plenty of outdoor activities from vineyard walks along the Kromme River to mountain biking trails starting on the property. If relaxation is what you seek, order a massage from the comfort of your very own tent or sip on some award-winning wine from the onsite tasting room.
Bontebok Ridge Reserve offers a rare opportunity to appreciate some of South Africa’s wildlife in their natural habitat. Experience a game drive through unique fynbos and enjoy exclusive personalized attention viewing protected fynbos, sheltering wildebeest, springbok, sables, bontebok, and many other native species. You will also be able to stop along the way and gaze at the iconic slopes of Table Mountain. The reserve includes self-catering wooden cabins, positioned to overlook a picturesque dam that makes for the most amazing, secluded stay.
With so much to see and do, take some time to browse our website (www.paarl-wellington.co.za) beforehand and avoid disappointment by pre-booking. Alternatively pop in at our Visitor Information Centre for personalized assistance. For the latest news follow @Visit Wellington on the various social media platforms.
