|
The
first pioneer
Pieter du Toit, the fourth child of the Huguenot Francois du Toit, can
be regarded as the poineer of the Goudini area. The First cattle post
was established by this 19 year old poineer during December 1716.
A quaint town develops
On 12 May 1741 Anthony Visser received a grazing permit for the farm "De
Goudene Dina". This name comes from the Khoi word "kg'ou"
meaning bitter and "dani" meaning honey. This makes our area
one of the few places in the Western Cape that has retained some of it's
Khoi heritage. "De Goudini School" and the town was established
in 1858. The town was named after William Rawson, who became the Colonial
Secretary of the Cape Colony in 1854. He never actually visited the town.
There is often a bit of confusion regarding these names. Rawsonville refers
to the town itself and Goudini to the surrounding area.
A wine experience
There are thirteen wine cellars in a radius of ten kilometers. This makes
Rawsonville ideal for experiencing good hospitality and wines without
spending too much time in your car traveling from one cellar to another.
Year after year our wines are awarded championship status on the young
wine shows and the Veritas Awards.
Taste our Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
and Merlot, to name a few. You will find them on the wine lists of major
international airlines, Diners Club awards and restaurants. Rawsonville
wines are great value for money - very high quality at affordable prices.
Outdoors
There are a number of scenic cycling routes that take you through vineyards
and past cellars. Take a leisurely drive through Du Toitskloof, Slanghoek
valley and the Louwshoek area. There are excellent hiking and horse trails,
4x4 routes and birdwatching spots. View Monty Roberts' way of "intelligent
horsemanship" demonstrated by the only qualified trainer in South
Africa. Try our clear mountain streams for those big trout, black bass,
carp, white fish, water tortoise and eels. Test your endurance with white-water
rafting and enjoy canoeing, fynbos exploration, mountaineering or abseiling.
One of our farms even offers dog holidays! All these activities can be
enjoyed while camping in nature. Make use of the numerous cottages and
mountain huts in the area.
Guest houses, resorts, restaurants and conference
facilities
Rawsonville has a full range of all types of accommodation. Some of them
are near town and others closer to the mountains and ranging from luxurious
to basic. Warm spring water and super tubes, conference facilities for
small and big groups and a lot more await you. Try our traditional and
other dishes at any of the restaurants or the coffee shop in the area.
While staying in the area you may still need to do business. If you need
assistance for yourself, your car or anything else - we can help. If we
don't have it, we will find it. Just pick up the phone or, even better,
visit us!
|
