Vredenburg

We built this city on agriculture! As the business nerve centre of the West Coast, Vredenburg is also a springboard to coastal towns.

Access to water is what had attracted settlers and their Khoi predecessors here. A fresh water spring between the 18th century farms Heuningklip and Witteklip caused strife between the respective farm owners. The site became known as Twisfontein ('quarrel spring'), later renamed Prosesfontein ('lawsuit spring'). The Dutch Reformed Church came to the rescue in 1875 when they built the town’s first church near the disputed spring and promptly renamed the town Vredenburg (peaceful town). Problem solved! Electrification in 1952 saw coal and outdoor clay ovens replaced by modern equipment, although gas and paraffin continue to be used by poorer people. Fish factories became mechanized. The electrification process had hailed in an era of permanent social and economic changes.

Modern conveniences and fish factories juxtaposed against the Fossil Park's extinct three-toed horses and other lovelies... Vredenburg has it all.
The only argument you're likely to have in modern-day Vredenburg (the Twisfontein Monument is today the sole reminder of that water tiff) is in agreeing on which activities you and your travel mates plan to indulge.

• Fauna and indigenous flower sightings at Paternoster's Columbine Nature Reserve 
• Golf (Vredenburg/Saldanha Golf Course) 
• Horse riding 
• Squash 
• Tennis 
• Rugby 
• Canoeing 
• Bird watching 
• Indoor cricket 
• Arts and Crafts 
• Fun for the kids at Swartriet, with tractor rides and cuddly farm animals 
• Witteklip, a white rock with an enormous opening. Legend has it that in the ox wagon era, an entire team of oxen could turn 360 degrees while in the gap! 
• The neighbouring town of Langebaan features a lagoon and casino 
• West Coast National Park

Area Info on Vredenburg

Vredenburg, situated 138 km from Cape Town and 12 km from Saldanha, is the centre of much of the business activity on the West Coast. It is the hub of several smaller towns and is regarded as the administrative centre of an area stretching from Langebaan in the south to Velddrif in the north.
Just outside the town is an excellent golf course and various other sporting facilities are also available. The most important attractions in the surrounding area are the many lovely holiday resorts.

Of interest outside the town, on the road to Saldanha, is the Witteklip, a rock with a massive opening through the middle of it. In the early days, so we are told, a wagon with a team of oxen could turn in the opening. Approximately 5 km away, on the road to Hopefield, is a riding resort where groups can go on adventurous horse trails in the veld or along the coast, under the supervision of an experienced rider. Located to the west of Vredenburg is Trekoskraal, a beautiful unspoilt, coastal area