Ah, Robertson, the Western Cape’s hidden jewel.
Roberston is situated in the cradle of wine country and is a place where adventure and serenity collide. If you’re like me, then you fully understand that it gets a bit rough being a digital nomad at times. Right?
While it has its perks, from café hopping to working on a beach – the latter in rare cases for the average Joe – many are just stuck at home. And try to suck the inspiration out of their four walls. Right, again?
Yeah, I feel you. I’ve been there.
It’s hard, man.
But what if I told you that Robertson is the escape you need? A quick break from the click-click of your keyboard and the constant pinging of email notifications. Sounds like heaven right?
So let’s not waste any more time and jump right into this article about things to do in the Robertson wine valley.
Welcome to a place where adventure and tranquillity coexist.
Welcome to your digital detox.
Welcome to heaven.
Welcome to Robertson.
Table of Contents
Things To Do: Outdoor Activities
When most people think of Robertson, their minds drift to the tranquil flow of the Breede River or the rugged trails that snake through the Langeberg Mountains. Robertson’s raw natural beauty is spectacular and if you’re searching for outdoor activities, you’ve hit the jackpot here.
Here’s a list of a couple of cool things to do:
1. Breede River Rafting and Cruises
The Breede River, a lifeline of the valley, is something you’ve got to see when in Robertson. And what better way to do that than on a river raft?
Whether you’re up for a leisurely river cruise to soak in the scenery or a white-water rafting challenge, there’s something for every type of adventurer. Felix Unite River Adventures are expert guides and my first experience was an unforgettable one. They operate 7 days a week.
2. Mountain biking
The terrain around Robertson is a mountain biker’s paradise. With trails ranging from beginner-friendly to technically challenging, you can experience the thrill of the ride and the beauty of the vineyards all in one go.
Being a newbie to the MTB scene, I gave the Roam Rooiberg Trail a bash. It’s a quick 9 km (6 miles) track. But next, I want to attempt the 31 km (19 miles) Van Loveren Blue Route – wish me luck!
3. Hike the Langeberg Ranges
Lace-up your boots and hit the trails of the Langeberg Mountains. The hikes offer panoramic views that stretch across the valley, and the fynbos-covered slopes are a botanist’s dream. My partner and I opted for the Arangieskop Trail found in the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve, about 8 km (5 miles) north of Robertson.
The trail is a 20 km (12 mile) circular loop that is split over two days. We spent the night in a basic rustic hut along the way. When I say “basic” I mean basic; we had to take our own bedding, cutlery, crockery and firelighters. It was a pretty cool experience though, but not one I’d rush back to if I’m being honest.
4. Skydiving
If you’ve ever wanted to see this part of the Western Cape from a bird’s eye view, skydiving in Robertson is the way to do it. I’ve always wanted to skydive and finally got my chance when I was in town. It was an adrenaline rush like no other (obviously)!
Skydive Robertson Dropzone operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 08:00 – 16:00.
5. Horseback tours
Horseback riding? Count me in! With my newfound love for these ‘wild’ animals, I do love a good out-ride. It’s a unique way to experience the region’s famous wineries and connect with the serene landscape. Robertson Horse Adventures offers amazing trail rides.
6. Birdwatching
Robertson is a birdwatcher’s haven with so much birdlife around. A couple of species native to the area include; the Cape Shoveler, blue-billed Teal, and lemon dove and it’s not rare to see a few ostriches either!
7. Golf
Now, I’m no Tiger Woods but I do enjoy hitting a couple of balls across the fairway. The Silwerstrand Golf Club offers a chance to tee off in one of the most scenic settings imaginable. With the mountains as your backdrop, it’s a round of golf you won’t soon forget.
8. Tennis
Hit a few tennis balls at Robertson’s Tennis Club, just off Denne Avenue in the town centre. (You’ll need to have your own racquet though.)
Things To Do: Wine & Dine
As the old saying goes, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” and in this town, it couldn’t be more accurate! I’ve been fortunate enough to have dined in over 20 different countries and Robertson, my gosh, sits pretty high on my list.
Here are a couple of places I went to:
1. Fraai Uitzicht 1798
- Address: Klaas Voogds East, On R60 between Robertson & Montagu
- Contact: (023) 626 6156
This fine-dining restaurant, situated along the R60 between Robertson and Montagu, certainly hits all the right spots. My beef fillet with green peppercorn sauce was out of this world. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any vegan options, so my partner only really had the Madeiran tomato soup to go for – she loved it by the way!
2. The Small Restaurant
- Address: 58 Van Reenen St, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 880 0611
For a chic dining experience, The Small Restaurant offers a seasonal menu that showcases the best of local produce. This spot is inside The Robertson Small Hotel and serves breakfasts, lunches and dinners and you’ll need to make a reservation beforehand. You must try the oxtail risotto, it’s super good!
3. Mo & Rose at Soekershof
- Address: KlaasVoogds West, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 4134
The breakfasts at Mo & Rose are delicious and the coffee was good. My partner and I spent a weekend here in one of their luxury accommodations. Each guesthouse has a private patio, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, complimentary tea and coffee and complimentary breakfast. Okay, I’ll admit, I did do a little bit of work here…
4. The Robertson Valley Market
For a more rustic experience, the local farmers market is where I loved to mingle with the locals. It had the freshest produce, homemade treats and some nifty local crafts too.
(To mention, this market was originally called the Robertson Farmers Market.)
5. Springfield Estate
- Address: Klipdrif, R317 Bonnievale Road, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 3661
For wine lovers, this is the place for you. R80 for 5 wine tasting samples, is a real bargain. And the scenery looks as if you’ve stepped inside a storybook!
They are open every Monday to Saturday, excluding Good Friday, Christmas and New Year.
6. Graham Beck Estate
- Address: Scenic Cape Route R60, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 1214
This vineyard is found in the secluded Breede River Valley, a short 9km (5.5 mile) drive from Robertson. The views are magnificent and the wine tasting wasn’t too bad either. The harvest platters did it for me though, filled with local cheeses, charcuterie and various relishes and dips – yum!
The Tasting Room is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 17:00 and 10:00 – 16:00 on weekends.
7. Robertson Winery
- Address: Voortrekker Road, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 8817
This is the iconic winery of Robertson. Spend a day wine tasting at this estate or try out one of their outdoor activities such as fishing, 4×4, mountain biking, and bird watching. There is a whole lot more than just wine here.
The Tasting Room is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 17:30, Saturdays from 09:00 – 15:00 and 11:00 – 15:00 on Sundays.
Top tip: Small dogs are welcome!
8. Strictly Coffee
- Address: 5 Voortrekker Avenue, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 6691
This quirky coffee shop on Voortrekker Street serves a mean black Americano – my go-to drink. The staff are super friendly and the interior space is hip and modern.
Open Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 17:30 and Saturdays from 09:00 – 14:00, it’s an awesome spot for quick breakfasts and lunches.
9. Christina’s Bistro at Van Loveren Vineyards
- Address: R317 Between Robertson and Bonnievale, Robertson
- Contact: 076 862 1995
Van Loveren Family Vineyards has been in the Retief family since 1937 and is the perfect day out in Robertson. As I said, I’m not too keen on wine tasting, but Christina’s Bistro has incredible thin-based pizzas and gourmet burgers. Delicious!
Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a casual bite, dining in Robertson is an experience that will leave you craving for more…and more!
10. Robertson Wine Farms
Here are a few other wine farms in Robertson to try:
- Arendsig Wine Estate
- Duvon Wines
- Excelsior Estate
- Jonkheer Wines
- Koningsrivier Wines
- Sumsare Family Wines
Things To Do: Cultural Activities
Robertson isn’t just about wine farms and fancy places to eat; it’s filled with loads of history too. Here’s my list of the best things to do in Robertson if you’re more of a history buff.
1. Robertson Art Gallery
- Address: 3 Voortrekker Avenue, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 5364
Now I do quite enjoy meandering through an art gallery and this place is a kaleidoscope of local talent. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 08:30 – 17:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 – 15:00.
2. The Pink Church
- Address: Paul Kruger Street, Robertson
I had to have my photo taken in front of this iconic landmark. It’s a well-known landmark in Robertson due to its distinctive pink colour after all. The Pink Church is an example of the unique and charming architecture you can find in many South African towns.
3. Robertson Museum
- Address: 50 Paul Kruger Street, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 3681
For history buffs who want to take a deeper dive into the town’s past, this local museum is right up your alley. It was pretty cool to see how far this town has come since its humble beginnings.
4. Markets
Affie Plaas
Affie Plaas is roughly 2 km (1.2 miles) from the Robertson Golf Course on the western side of the town. They offer an amazing selection of fresh farm bread, pies, traditional South African desserts (such as Malva pudding), homemade rusks, jams, pickles, quail eggs, and so much more.
Affie Plaas is open 7 days a week from 08:00 – 17:00, except on Saturdays when they open at noon.
Montagu market
While not in Robertson per se, this market is only about 26 kilometres away (16 miles) and is definitely worth the drive. This is one of the longest-running markets in the Western Cape and is only open on Saturdays (08:30 – 12:30). You can even take the dogs with, as long as they’re on a lead.
- Local food vendors pull out the big guns here (figurately!), with a wide selection of pestos, homemade sandwiches, fresh coffee and baked goods. And there are a bunch of other stalls too, such as jewellery, homemade soaps, leather and beadwork, and live music.
Things To Do: Nature Lovers
Robertson’s natural tapestry overflows with the deep greens of the Cape’s flora. As an avid nature lover, I’ve spent countless hours soaking up this land’s beauty. What I mean is, I love grabbing my Kindle and sneaking off to read underneath the trees!
Here are a few things to do in Robertson:
1. Birds Paradise Animal Park
- Address: Johan De Jongry Lane, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 626 3926
We saw loads of animals at this sanctuary ranging from flamingos, owls, crocodiles, monkeys, yaks and goats. Birds Paradise is open every day of the week from 08:00 – 17:00.
2. Langeberg Mountains
- My partner and I loved taking scenic drives up and down the Dassiehoek Pass to witness the breathtaking views first-hand. Our photography skills have sharpened up if I don’t say so myself!
- If you want to venture a little further, I’d recommend seeing the Du Toitskloof Pass. It’s about an hour’s drive from Robertson (79 km/49 miles) and is pretty epic.
3. Breede River
Enjoy a peaceful lunch, dinner or sunset cruise along the Breede River on Nerina Guest Farm’s river restaurant barge. Barges only accommodate 16 people and bookings are essential. It was a great thing to do in Robertson that’s for sure and only cost about R200 per person.
4. Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Just a stone’s throw from town (15 km/9 miles), this reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and is perfect for someone like me who wants some peace and quiet. The rocky landscape was a stunning backdrop for my (amateur) photography!
Things To Do: Wellness Centres
As a working professional who has journeyed through the stresses of modern life, I can attest to the rejuvenating power of Roberston. And for those who know me, I love massages. So I had to find a few spas while I was here.
1. Robertson Small Hotel
- Address: 58 Van Reenen Street, Robertson
- Contact: (023) 880 0611
The Zest Spa is out of this world. My partner and I indulged in their Silver Package (R1,500/person) and to be honest, I haven’t felt that relaxed in a wee while! That scalp massage? Priceless!
2. The Wellness Room
- Address: 2 Adderley St, Robertson
- Contact: 072 654 9267
This spa offers massages but it’s geared more towards women. They offer lash extensions, waxing and all that other ‘girlie stuff’ that I wasn’t keen to try – but my partner did!
3. Avalon Springs
- Address: Uitvlucht Street, Montagu
- Contact: (023) 614 1150
Now if you’re looking for something epic to do, take a 30-minute drive to Montagu, a town 27 km (17 miles) away.
Why? Because this place has 9 hot spring pools! Need I say more?
4. Flourish Botanical Spa
- Contact: 071 852 7447
I really liked the decor of the wellness spa and I really loved my body scrub and wrap! From deep cleansing facials to massages to manicures and pedicures, Flourish certainly makes one heck of a pamper day!
Robertson’s Weather
- Spring – September to November
- Summer – December to February
- Autumn (fall) – March to May
- Winter – June to August
Average temperatures per season
- Spring = between 9° – 22°
- Summer = 14° – 30°
- Autumn (fall) = 12° – 24°
- Winter = 6° – 16°
Side note: June is Robertson’s rainest month of the year.
FAQs
How far is Robertson from Cape Town?
Robertson is roughly 157 kilometres (98 miles) from Cape Town.
How far is Robertson from Stellenbosch?
Robertson is roughly 128 kilometres (79.5 miles) from Cape Town.
What is the Robertson Wine Valley?
The Robertson Wine Valley is a tourist bureau situated on the corner of Reitz and Voortrekker Street in the centre of the town. It is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 17:00.
What do people do in Robertson?
Robertson is a wine country so many people visit wine estates and go wine tasting. Yet, there is so much more that Robertson offers apart from wine. There are luxury accommodations, skydiving, Breede River cruises, farmers markets, and wellness centres, to name a few.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, a glimpse into the heart of Robertson, where adventure and serenity collide.
If you’ve been tied to your desk for way too long, lost in the digital maze, let this be your sign to break free. Robertson isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a place to recharge and reignite your creative spark amidst the vines, rivers, and mountains.
From the thrilling adventures on the Breede River to serene afternoons spent in the vineyards, there’s an abundance of things to do in Robertson. It’s the digital detox you’ve been craving, the heaven you’ve been seeking.
Welcome to the stories you’ll tell.
Welcome to the memories you’ll cherish.
Welcome back to life.
Welcome back to Robertson.
