Laid out on the farm Pomona during 1863 and named after the popular Attorney General of the Cape, William Porter, Porterville is situated at the foot of the beautiful Olifants River Mountains. The Porterville district is the only place in the country where the red disa grows in abundance. It is reputedly also the only place in the world where the rare yellow disa is found. The 1986 World Hang-gliding Championships were held at Dasklip (hyrax rock). Pass in the Olifants River Mountains near Porterville. The wind currents are said to be the best in the world for hang-gliding and paragliding.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 140 km, 24 km from the N7 highway connecting Cape Town with Namibia and 100 km of the N1 and Worcester.

Altitude

85 m above sea level, west of the majestic Olifants River Mountains and at the foot of Voorberg.

Average Temperatures
Summer Jan 9,8°c – 41°c, Feb 13°c – 40°c, Winter June 6,6°c – 18,4°c, July 0,2°c-25,8°c, August 6°c – 21°c

Average Rainfall: 450 mm per annum

Banks

Absa, Boland, Standard, ATM’s 2

Dams

Voëlvlei Dam

Misverstand Dam

Rivers

Berg River

24 Rivers

Matjies River

HISTORICAL VIEW

Jan Danckaert Museum

A typical town museum depicting the history of Porterville and the surrounding area. The museum is named after Jan Danckaert, the first European to cross the Olifant’s River Mountains in 1660.

Signal Gun

A cannon located at the entrance to the museum used to signal the arrival of ships in Table Bay harbour 140 km away. Originally brought here by the Dutch East India Company.

Roller Mill

The old roller mill has filled many sacks with grain over many decades and is still in good working order. Closed to the public.

Dutch Reformed Church

Inaugurated on 18 November 1925, this lovely old church boasts an impressive facede. The foundation stone for the first small church building was laid on 2 February 1876.

NATURE

Beaverlac Nature Reserve

The reserve is located at the top of Dasklip Pass

Dasklip Pass

Several caves and rock shelters in the area boast beautiful Bushman rock paintings

Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area

This is unspoiled fynbos country with a large variety of breathtaking natural phenomena, including rock formations, proteas and disas. The 30 608 ha reserve is renowned for it’s abundance of red disa, blooming from late January to the end of February. It has eight different hiking trails, ranging in distance from 6 km to 16 km. Shelters have been erected for those wishing to sleep out. These routes are highly recommended for anybody with a botanical interest.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Angling Competition

De Hoek Trout Farm – November

Disa Tours – January and February

Porterville Agricultural and flower Show – September / October

Sentra Porterville Half Marathon – October

Cardouw

(old Khoikhoi word meaning ‘narrow passage’)

It was here that the first route between the Swartland and Olifants River valley was built. The route, once described as ‘….one of the most difficult roads across the African mountains…..’, is no longer in use, and cannot be crossed in a vehicle. Today the Piekenierskloof route is used.

Toorkrans

(Bewitched Cliffs)

The only perpendicular cliff in the Berg River, where, according to the locals, an ox wagon plunged into the river killing all the passengers. To this day the wailing and crying of children can be heard at times – hence the name.

ACTIVITIES

Angling

Angling Competition – November.

De Hoek is located 18 km from Porterville in the Vier-en-Twintig-Riviere valley. The farm is known for it’s citrus and deciduous fruit. Approximately 150 000 trout are kept in the breeding dams and visitors are welcome – by arrangement.

Hang-gliding

Dasklip Pass

Hiking

Hiking trails covering more then 95 km joint the Groot Winterhoek and Hex River Mountains, and offer a unique experience for the nature lover.

Mountain Biking / Cycling Beaverlac Cycling

These informal cycling trails on this private game reserve are for the enjoyment of the people staying over at this delightful spot

Paragliding

Dasklip Pass

Accommodation in and around Porterville