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Swellendam is a town in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, and one of the principal centres of agriculture in the region. The town of Swellendam is divided into two areas, Swellendam East and West, and these include both the suburban and commercial parts of the town. The greater Swellendam tourist area is made up of six satellite towns or “dorpies”, which include the towns of Barrydale, Buffeljachts, Cape Infanta, Malagas and Suurbraak in addition to the town of Swellendam itself.
Swellendam is located inland at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain range. As a centre of commerce in an important agricultural area, a number of shops, businesses, hotels and restaurants are located along the town’s main road, Voortrek Street. Municipal offices, churches, schools and administrative buildings are also located along this commercial strip which is accessible from two different turnoffs from the N2 highway that bypasses the town along the famous Garden Route.
As the third oldest town in South Africa, Swellendam is historically significant for being one of the first Dutch colonial settlements outside of Cape Town during the time of the Dutch East India Company in the mid to late- 1700s. This historical significance is evidence in the number of heritage buildings in the town which represent early Dutch colonial architecture with whitewashed walls, traditional gables and thatched roofs. There are many examples of this historic architecture in the town, including private homes and other public buildings.
Cultural and leisure activities in Swellendam include visiting the various art galleries and shops and enjoying local cuisine at one of the town’s many restaurants which are supplied with local produce from the variety of farms in the surrounding region. The town’s museum complex also provides a comprehensive insight into the colonial history of the town, as well as several other historic landmarks and points of interest.
