RIVERSDALE
Riversdale on the Garden Route is a town that has something for everyone and visitors will always feel welcomed by the friendly local residents. A flourishing country town situated on the N2 highway between the Langeberg mountain range, on the bank of the Vet River, that flows into the Indian Ocean at Stilbaai. The town was named after Harry Rivers, a local government official, and proclaimed in 1938. Nestled at the foot of the Sleeping Beauty mountain peak, it is a well loved landmark which never fails to capture the imagination. Riversdale has earned the name of “The Floral Paradise” of the Garden Route because of the abundance of indigenous flora, referred to as Fynbos. During the winter months, the mountains and the surrounding area are an array of rainbow floral displays. Several hikes and walks take you through this floral kingdom and for the more energetic traveller you can do activities like mountain biking and abseiling, 4 x 4 trails, canoeing etc The Klein Karoo Nature Reserve at Ladismith and the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area north of Heildelberg are both less than 1 hour’s drive. This area enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year and is considered an all year around holiday destination. In the 1600s the surrounding area was inhabited by the Hessequa Koi tribe. In the 1660’s the first Europeans explored the area. Steam enthusiasts will enjoy looking at the Class Seven locomotive, mounted on a platform town, representing the first railway connection in 1903. The economy is primarily driven by farming which includes wild flowers for export, honeybush tea, dairy, wool, fruit, grapes and grain.
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