The sleepy town of Darling lies an easy 30 km drive along the R315 from Yzerfontein – a pleasant journey through rolling hills that passes some of the most beautiful spring-flower areas in the country, including the Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve. It is part of the Swartland Tourism region of the West Coast in the Western Cape.

An artists’ haven, the town is the home of the Voorkamer Fest arts festival, a unique house-to-house theatrical extravaganza that offers acts of all kinds; and the eco-themed Rocking the Daisies music festival in springtime.

At other times of the year, iconic South African satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys puts on his wickedly, funny one-man show at his theatre-cum-restaurant, Evita se Perron, at the old Darling railway station. This venue is packed with Afrikaner memorabilia and kitsch.

The town’s museum reveals the details of country life in the 19th century, while the Hildebrand Monument commemorates this southernmost village reached by Boer forces during the South African War of 1899-1902 – the closest the fighting got to Cape Town.

Darling is the first wine ward, arguably in the world, where all the estates are accredited and awarded membership of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative. The pace here is easy and the emphasis is on the personal, with intimate tasting rooms and nature-friendly wines to suit every palate, pocket and mood. And in summer olives head the menu, and everything and anything that can be made from olives, is – from jams and preserves to spreads and oils.

The laid-back pace of this lovely town invites the visitor to linger on the stoep of a coffee shop or restaurant, have another glass of wine, and savour the modern country cuisine and friendship, warmth and hospitality for which the region is justifiably famous – then amble down the road to a cosy BnB or guesthouse to spend a peaceful, restful night.

Burgherspost Wine Estate

Burgherspost Wine Estate is nestled into the Darling Wine route at the foot of the picturesque Dassenberg Granite Hill. Next door to Burgherspost is our sister farm, Cloof wine estate. Together, the two farms can produce top quality grapes for the wine market as well as producing our own Cloof brand wines in our cellar.
www.burgherspost.co.za

Darling & Swartland Birding Route
The Swartland Birding Route begins some 50 kilometres north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling and Yzerfontein in the west, Moorreesburg and Koringberg in the north and Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east.

The area has a varied landscape from sea, coastal plains, wild flowers (including Fynbos), to wheat fields on the fertile plain, interrupted by vineyards, olive farms and mountains.

It is said that you can find at least 250 bird species in this vast differentiated land scape. This will provide birders, beginners to serious twitchers, with a diverse range of birds to be ticked. The rare Black Harrier and the endangered South African National bird, the Blue Crane, which are both seen on the Swartland Birding Route, will generate significant interest for both local and international tourists.

The diversity of vegetation in the Darling area presents birders with a wide range of different birds from larks and pipits to lesser flamingoes and great white pelicans. The area stretches from the strandveld of the Darling Hills Rd and Groote Post to the renosterveld of Waylands and Oudepost wildflower reserves. The beauty of the flowering bulbs and the immense variety of wildflowers create a unique springtime experience. During summer months large numbers of blue cranes may be seen in the wheatfields along the Darling / Malmesbury and Moorreesburg roads.

Darling Brew
One of South Africa’s first well established and award-winning microbreweries since 2010, we brew a wide range of great craft beers that are loved for their flavour, high quality ingredients and slow brewing process. Each beer in the range has unique characteristics and an inspiring story dedicated to the endangered creature it honours and supports through various conservation programs we donate to.

Darling Brew is available across the country in 500ml bottles and available on tap at approved outlets. 5L Party kegs are also available from selected distributors.

With more and more South Africans appreciating the skill behind a superb craft beer and the depth of range from our traditional lagers, ales, oat ales, pale ales, IPA’s, wheat beers and exotic darks, it is no wonder that we have as many fans amongst ladies as with men.

Taste Room:
This must-visit new Darling Brew Tasteroom & Brewery offers a fantastic day out and was developed to allow an all in one Darling Brew experience. In addition to a new state of the art brewery with increased capacity, the new premises offers an interactive and fascinating beer tasting experience in the tasting room and bar which overlooks the working microbrewery, a restaurant that serves delicious beer paired meals made from fresh, organic, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, and beautiful gardens. There is also plenty of parking available.

Visitors to Darling Brew can enjoy a proudly South African barbecue ‘braai’ menu indoors or outside in the garden and beer lovers can enjoy the Darling Brew craft beers with a selection of light meals. For beer novices there is also a beginner’s beer tasting which goes perfectly with a platter for 2.

Darling Brew’s new premises are situated at 48 Caledon Street in Darling.

Tasteroom operating hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm Kitchen closes at 4pm
Friday 9 am to 9pm Kitchen closes at 8pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm Kitchen closes at 4pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm Kitchen closes at 3pm
We are also open for private functions. The restaurant works on a walk in basis but large groups are encouraged to book
+27 (021) 286 1099
tasteroom@darlingbew.co.za

Swartbersvlei 4x4
Swartbergvlei is situated on the beautiful West Coast route, a convenient 80km’s from Cape Town. They can accommodate 4×4’s, off-road bikes and quad bikes.

The difficulties of the 4×4 and quad trails, range from easy to nearly impossible, to satisfy every level of 4WD trail addiction. You can experience this outdoor adventure whilst enjoying surroundings of fynbos and raw nature.

Once you have conquered the hills, you can enjoy the magnificent bird eye view of Table Mountain and surroundings. After a day’s hard work, kick back and enjoy the braai facilities whilst the kids have fun swimming. Bring along friends and family and enjoy true West Coast hospitality and scenic view
+27 (084) 593 2745 (Alicia)
www.swartbergsvlei4x4.co.za

Darling Sweet
Watch the Darling Sweet team lovingly produce the most delectable old fashioned quality handcrafted toffee at their new premises.Darling Sweet came into existence in late 2013 when Hentie van der Merwe and Frits van Ryneveld decided to start a toffee company in their hometown Darling. The initial idea came from Frits who felt that the small Swartland town with its picturesque surrounds needs something sweet and that it should be the most delicious old-fashioned toffee, seeing as the production of its main ingredient – good quality butter – has been associated with Darling for generations.

The idea didn’t take long to inspire Hentie – artist, lecturer and trained chef – to start journeying into the centuries old art of toffee-making in developing their unique toffee flavours:
- Tannie Evita’s Classic Toffee (money is donated to the www.thedarlingtrust.org)
- Honey & Salt Toffee
- Red Wine & Chocolate Toffee
- Ormonde Wines Toffee
- Orange & Pomegranate
- Liquorice Toffee
- Sour Fig Toffee
Their toffees are preservative free – and all their reductions they make themselves, nothing synthetic – creating a real old fashioned butter toffee – and probably one of the healthiest toffees on the market!
www.darlingsweet.co.za