Overberg & Whale Coast Touring Map: Overberg... The Breadbasket of South Africa
The Overberg Whale Coast route is a region in the Western Cape to the east of
Cape Town beyond the Hottentots-Holland mountain range. It lies along the
Western Cape's south coast between the Cape Peninsula and the world famous
Garden Route in the east. The boundaries of the Overberg region are the
Hottentots-Holland mountains in the West; the Riviersonderend Mountains, which
form part of the geologically famous Cape Fold Belt, in the North; the Atlantic
and Indian Oceans in the South and the Breede River in the East.
The Overberg region is known as the breadbasket of the Cape owing to the fact
that it is a large grain (wheat) growing area. The wheat fields of the Overberg
are an important breeding spot for South Africa's national bird, the Blue Crane.
The Overberg region is also well known for fruit growing in the Elgin Valley
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (recognised by UNESCO) within the Overberg is
home to a large diversity of floral plants found nowhere else.
Important towns are Hermanus (the Whale Watching capital of South Africa),
Caledon and Swellendam and the region includes Cape Agulhas (see the Fynbos Road
map). Cape Aghulas and not Cape Point is , the southermost tip of Africa.
For excellent descriptions of the walks and trails see "Walks with a Fat Dog" by Peter Slingsby and his wife Maggie
Click to Enlarge Image
Please click the small image to see a blown up view providing a great example of the detail on this
Overberg (Over the Mountain) & Whale Coast Touring Map
A1 double-sided full colour map, in plastic sleeve.
This full-relief map covers the whole of the official Overberg Tourism Region,
now all on one sheet-side in this supermap edition. The map extends from
Somerset West to Cape Hangklip, thence via Hermanus to Cape Agulhas; from Cape
Agulhas eastwards to Port Beaufort/Witsand, north to Heidelberg, Barrydale and
Montagu. From Robertson the map extends west to Villiersdorp and back to
Stellenbosch.
All roads from National Highways to minor gravel roads are shown, with
distances. All tourism accommodation establishments and a range of some 30
facilities from hiking trails to wine cellars are shown. All info has been
upgraded and revised.
Special features:
The map details the best whale-watching sites. Over 200 shipwrecks are shown.
There is also a unique key to the meanings of Khoisan place names.
New Special features: The map now includes enlarged insets of
24 of the larger towns in the region, at the greatly-enlarged scale of 1:25 000,
or 4cm to the kilometre. These beautifully-drawn street maps are based on the
latest available information. In addition there are full-relief maps of the
historic buildings at the centre of the Genadendal and Elim Missions, as well as
the Hermanus Village Square
‘Excitement, relief and gratitude greeted the arrival of "the map the
Overberg has been waiting for."
It is a magnificent piece of work, an asset and tool for the tourism industry in
the Overberg to relish and use. Every household in the region will no doubt also
want one.’
Hermanus Times