All About The R62

3 min read

Montagu Springs and the Town of Montagu are located on Route 62, one of South Africa’s most famous tourist routes. We’re here to tell you all about the R62 and what gems you can find when driving this route.

Route 62 stretches for 850 kilometres between Cape Town and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), connecting the Western Cape and the Western Cape and gets its name from the actual R62 which only runs between Ashton and Humansdorp. Route 62 has been expanded to include the towns further out, as it offers a scenic and shorter alternative to the N2 highway. The road is known for its gorgeous views, abundant flora and fauna, and many great activities.

With the completion of the N2 in 1958, a lot of the small towns and villages along the route have lost tourist attraction, as many prefer to take the highway to their destinations. This has also meant, however, that these places are often welcoming farming communities that haven’t been affected too much by issues like traffic, gentrification, and destruction of historic sites. Each town along Route 62 offers endless exploration, adventure, and fun.

Instead of following the mostly coastal route, Route 62 goes through the wine-growing areas of Wellington, Tulbagh, Worcester, Robertson, and the Klein Karoo, hence its other name – the Wine Route. This is the longest wine route in the world and has many great wine farms to visit. If you feel like it, go for a wine tasting, or otherwise, simply enjoy a meal and a stroll through the vineyards – you won’t be disappointed.

There are various other activities and attractions that Route 62 is known for, like hiking, mountain biking trails, 4x4 trails, wildlife reserves, bird watching, tours, museums and heritage sites, art galleries, markets, skydiving, and so much more. Most of these can be experienced in our lovely town of Montagu, while others are scattered along the R62. Oudtshoorn, for example, is home to the Cango Caves, where you can explore the cave system, and ostrich farms, where you can learn more about this large, flightless bird. The Klein Karoo has so much to offer that one can spend weeks in the region exploring.

Montagu Springs is perfectly situated to explore the first 500 kilometres of the R62 – situated roughly in the middle between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, you can take as many day trips as you’d like along more than half of Route 62. We’ve already written about our top 5 stops you must visit on your drive to Montagu. Or you can simply experience the charm and attractions of Montagu, which has an interesting history and many great things to do in the town itself. If you need any recommendations or directions, please don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff at reception – they will be more than happy to help!