Route 62 is the historical route that connected small farming communities with the two harbor towns of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It is now regarded as the Worlds longest wine route and features as a major fruit, vegetable, port and brandy producing area, winding through quaint historical towns and villages where the pace of life is slow and serene. As part of the Cape Winelands and shortest route between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, most tourists use this as a preferred route to the Garden Route. The road twists through passes, scenic valleys of immaculate vineyards, over rugged mountains blanketed with indigenous flowers, through deep ravines bordered by sheer rock faces and finally across semi desert scrubland ending in the Ostrich Capital of the world, Oudtshoorn.

Route 62

Route 62 runs like a fishbone through the western Cape with other theme routes like the West Coast route, Cederberg Route, Whale Route, Swartberg Pass Route, Great Karoo Route and Garden Route - all linking back to the Route 62.

The Cango Caves

A guided walk through the paths of the world's finest stalactite cave with its colorful and fascinating limestone formations that have been sculptured by nature through the ages is a must for any tourist visiting Oudtshoorn. Regarded as one of SA’s greatest natural wonders and Oudtshoorn’s oldest attraction, the Cango Caves is an underground limestone wonderland.

Paarl, Wellington & Tulbach

The Route 62 begins in the town of Paarl which is situated just one hour from Cape Town and is where the Afrikaans language has its origin. From here it is onto Wellington where the production of Ox Wagons was started followed by Tulbach which is home to the longest row of uninterrupted historical monuments in South Africa.

Worcester, Ashton, Bonnivale and McGregor

From Worcester, home to the largest Brandy distillery in the world, you will enter the “The Valley of Wine and Roses” which begins in Ashton and includes Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson and is known for it’s wine, fruit, cheese, with Cannas and Roses that the line the road almost all the way.

Montegu

Montagu is the half way point between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn and thus is the perfect base from which to explore the area. Known as the “Jewel of the Route 62” this beautiful town is entered through the Cogmanskloof and is home to the Montagu Hot Springs.

Barrydale, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn

From Montegu the road leads to Calitzdorp passing by Barrydale and Ronnies Sex Shop – ideal spot to quench your thirst. Calitzdorp is known as the Port Capital of South Africa and is conveniently situated a short distance from Oudtshoorn. Although the Ostrich era was started in Ladysmith most of it’s success and fame is associated with the Town of Oudsthoorn. Now most Ostrich farms are found here and they welcome visitors for lunch, dinner, farm tours and rides on the back of the world’s largest bird.

Brandy Route

The Route 62 Brandy Route situated along the increasingly popular Little Karoo region now offers the chance to experience brandy distillation and the history behind it. It includes visits to six superb brandy cellars and one museum. This route passes through the towns and villages of Worcester, Montegu, Barrydale, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and De Rust.