Touws River, Karoo
The pretty little railway town of Touws River, between Barrydale and Ladismith in the little Karoo, lies some 185 kilometres east of Cape Town. Touws River is set on the fringes of the Klein Karoo, basically a valley sandwiched between the Langeberg and the Outeniqua Mountains, which in turn separates the Little Karoo from the Garden Route’s coastal strip.
The town, built on the banks of the Touws River, is one of few towns this close to Cape Town to have escaped, for the most part, the overexcited exodus of Capetonians to ‘weekend’ homes in villages within easy reach of city living - possibly because the N1 passes through it. Calling it a ‘railway’ town is something of a misnomer however, as though it began its life as the first major staging post, locomotive depot and marshalling yard after Cape Town, its beautiful setting at the summit of the Hex River Mountain Pass belies this polluted image.
Visit the steam engine graveyard, the Loganda pillars, used for astronomical calculations in the 1880s, and the Kaggakamma reserve to the north of Touws River, where ancient San painting sites are said to be 6000 years old.
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Touws River Reviews
"went for steam train graveyard that doesn't exist any longer despite being on the website flowers were good ..." - bev, joburg
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Touws River
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Anysberg Nature Reserve lies in the Little Karoo between Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu, and is approximately four hours drive from Cape Town. The Anysberg reserve offers the visitor some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo as well as fascinating wildlife and plants and various ... more information
Aquila Nature Reserve
Aquila is a private Nature Reserve lying outside the town of Touwsriver; just less than two hours drive from Cape Town along a particularly scenic route on the N1. The reserve is named after the Black Eagle found in the area that is today rarely encountered and regarded as an endangered species. Aquila, whilst ... more information
Hex River Pass
The Hex River Pass lies on the national road, the N1, and links Worcester with Touws River. The pass is a favourite amongst travellers during winter when the surrounding peaks are capped with snow, usually a sure indicator to those living in the nearby towns and farms that the cold weather has hit, as it does ... more information
Mitchell's Pass
Without Mitchell's Pass the existence of Ceres would be questionable. It was only after the pass was completed in 1849 that the town of Ceres came into being at all. It is no surprise, as, faced with the incredible banks of mountain east of Cape Town our ancestors must have been more than a little daunted at trying ... more information
Theronsberg Pass
The Theronsberg Pass is one of four ways in which to reach the Ceres valley. Others include Michell's Pass from Cape Town (N1, R43, R46), Gydo Pass (the R303 from Citrusdal), and Theronsberg Pass (from Touws River, R46). The Theronsberg Mountains take one into the Tanqua Karoo, a gorgeous semi-arid area ... more information
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Things To Do in Touws River
Game Viewing at Aquila Game Reserve
Where: Touws River
How much (per person): R1001 to R1500
A representative of Aquila Private Game Reserve will meet you at your hotel, travel via the scenic Du Toitskloof Pass and endless winelands ... more information
Horseback Safari at Aquila
Where: Touws River
How much (per person): On Request
Game viewing on horseback is an unforgettable experience as one can get so much closer to the wildlife. It has been described as an epic exp ... more information
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On Holiday in Touws River
• Touws River Accommodation
• Barrydale Accommodation
• Ladismith Accommodation
• Karoo Accommodation
• Western Cape Accommodation
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