A special place to relax and enjoy nature, where you can see the stars at night with no city lights in sight! If you are looking for a serene and picturesque place to rejuvenate body and soul, Rusty Gate Mountain Retreat is perfect for you. Rusty Gate is truly a Mountain Retreat, nestled in the Riviersonderend Mountains, with unsurpassed vistas over the Helderstroom valley and Overberg area. The property, spanning 290 hectares, lies adjacent to the Riviersonderend Nature Reserve, abound with mountain fynbos and proteas and offers ample for nature lovers to enjoy.
Less than 120km from Cape Town International Airport (approximately a 90-minute drive along the N2 via Grabouw and Botrivier) this special getaway is conveniently situated midway between Greyton and Villiersdorp. Cellular (3G and voice) coverage and guest Wi-Fi is available at limited areas of the guest facilities. Regretfully we do not allow any guests’ pets at Rusty Gate.
Accommodation
Self-catering accommodation for couples, families, friends and smaller groups
The cottages are located on the lower guest accommodation terrace, lined with majestic pin oak trees and overlooking a bubbling creek. Each cottage offers privacy with a vine fronted walled veranda, and is also within comfortable walking distance for groups or families relaxing together.
COTTAGES
Blue Crane Cottage
Named after our gracious and beautiful national bird, Blue Crane cottage is located in the middle of the cottages terrace, and adjacent to Bokmakierie and Jacana Cottages. The spacious cottage can sleep op to four guests in two bedrooms.
Bokmakierie Cottage
With its name and yellow accent colour derived from the Bokmakierie bird, this is a bright and sunny cottage at the upper part of the cottages terrace, and adjacent to Blue Crane Cottage. The spacious cottage can sleep up to four guests in two bedrooms.
Jacana Cottage
The African Jacana lends its name and burnt orange colour to this lovely cottage located at the lower part of the cottages terrace adjacent to Blue Crane and Kingfisher Cottages. The spacious cottage can sleep up to four guests in two bedrooms.
Kingfisher Cottage
Kingfisher Cottage pays homage to the Half-collared Kingfisher and the striking blue of its plumage. It is the largest of our cottages, can sleep up to six guests, and is located at the bottom end of the cottages terrace, adjacent to Jacana Cottage, with the best view of the Helderstroom valley.
Sunbird Cottage
Kingfisher Cottage pays homage to the Half-collared Kingfisher and the striking blue of its plumage. It is the largest of our cottages, can sleep up to six guests, and is located at the bottom end of the cottages terrace, adjacent to Jacana Cottage, with the best view of the Helderstroom valley.
EAGLE’S EYRIE
Explore Nature in the Mountains
Rusty Gate lies within the 69 000 hectare Riviersonderend Conservation Area which surrounds the towns of Riviersonderend, Greyton, McGregor and Villiersdorp and includes a combination of state land and private property.
Adjacent to the conservation area, the Riviersonderend Mountains with rugged peaks, forested kloofs, gorges and rivers makes it a particularly scenic and striking part of the Cape Overberg.
Flora in the mountainous parts of the conservation area is dominated by mountain fynbos and the Mediterranean climate also supports many other beautiful species. Fauna in these areas includes a range of small and medium game and birdlife and spotting tracks of the Cape Leopard in the dirt is not uncommon.
It is without a doubt an outdoor people’ paradise ideally suited for hiking, trail running and mountain biking.
Rusty Gate caters to the young, old and in-between by offering bird watching, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking and even a foefie-slide (zipline) for the less faint-hearted! For those less active, a leisurely read in a hammock alongside a shady stream amongst the pin oak trees should do the trick.
Amenities
• Comfortable white cotton/percale bedding including fluffy duvets and two pillows per person.
• An Egyptian cotton bath sheet for every guest and hand towels and extra towels in bathrooms.
• Hand soap, hand lotion and toilet paper.
• Instant coffee, Ceylon tea and sugar for hot beverages.
• Salt & pepper grinders for basic seasoning.
• Dishwashing liquid with small and large dish towels, dishwasher tablets, paper kitchen towels and extra wastebin liners.
• Sufficient FREE (black wattle) wood for the braai area and fireplace for as long as you stay.
• Firelighters, gas lighter and matches.
• Folding braai grid, braai tongs and fireplace utensils.
• Small LED torch, waiter’s friend bottle opener, mosquito repellent.
• Pruning shears if you want to pick some wild flowers to take home.
• Fur pile blankets and electric blankets on all beds.
• A gas heater in each cottage to supplement the fireplace.
• Rechargeable load shedding LED bulbs in all ceiling lights and on verandas that will last for at least 4 hours.
֩• Generator for events at Eagle’s Eyrie.
Activities at Rusty Gate
Explore Nature in the Mountains
Rusty Gate lies within the 69 000 hectare Riviersonderend Conservation Area which surrounds the towns of Riviersonderend, Greyton, McGregor and Villiersdorp and includes a combination of state land and private property.
Adjacent to the conservation area, the Riviersonderend Mountains with rugged peaks, forested kloofs, gorges and rivers makes it a particularly scenic and striking part of the Cape Overberg.
Flora in the mountainous parts of the conservation area is dominated by mountain fynbos and the Mediterranean climate also supports many other beautiful species. Fauna in these areas includes a range of small and medium game and birdlife and spotting tracks of the Cape Leopard in the dirt is not uncommon.
It is without a doubt an outdoor people’ paradise ideally suited for hiking, trail running and mountain biking.
Rusty Gate caters to the young, old and in-between by offering bird watching, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking and even a foefie-slide (zipline) for the less faint-hearted! For those less active, a leisurely read in a hammock alongside a shady stream amongst the pin oak trees should do the trick.
• Birding
• Fynbos Viewing
• Hiking & Trail Running
• Mountain Biking & Gravel Grinding
• Photography
• Water Activities
• RUSTY GATE LABYRINTH - Space for Personal Reflection
Activities in Surrounding Areas
Explore the Overberg.
We are conveniently situated midway between Greyton and Villiersdorp, less than 30km to either town. Within a 50km to 100km radius you have access to a range of entertainment options, including (but not limited to):
• Adventure and other sports, e.g. mountain biking & gravel grinding, trail running, paragliding and golf.
• Arts and culture, e.g. Dale Elliot Art Gallery in Villiersdorp or the Rose Fair and Artwalk in Greyton.
• Eating out, e.g. casual dining in Greyton or the Elgin Railway Market and fine dining in Franschhoek.
• Live entertainment, e.g. music and other festivals at various venues in the Overberg.
• Nature excursions, e.g. birdwatching, hiking, whale watching around the Overberg.
• Shopping, e.g. artisanal food and beverages, art and pottery and a must stop at Dassiesfontein General Dealer.
• Wine tasting at a wide range of excellent wine farms in Elgin, Hemel & Aarde Vallei, Franschhoek, Robertson and many other places.
Regional Activities
Below is a short list of popular tourist destinations within easy “day trip” proximity from Rusty Gate.
• Greyton
• Dassiesfontein
• Elgin Grabouw
• Hermanus and Hemel & Aarde Valley
• Franschhoek
Contact Details
Phone: +27 (28) 215 8212
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.rustygate.co.za
Farm 826, Helderstroom Road, Caledon, 7230