Oudtshoorn, Western Cape

Oudtshoorn at a glance

Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, was founded in 1848. Today Oudtshoorn still boasts its beautiful architectural designs of a bygone era, where feather barons occupied opulent feather palaces. The first settlers arrived in the area in the 1750s and were well-established by the end of the 18th century. Farming consisted of livestock, the crops included tobacco, barley, wheat, a variety of soft fruit and vineyards for brandy and wine production.  

In 1839 residents requested a place of worship be built and on Sunday 3 November 1839, the Dutch Reformed Church was inaugurated. During the ostrich boom of 1880 to early 1905, feather barons built beautiful Sandstone buildings and feather palaces in the Art Nouveau, Victorian and Neo-Renaissance Revival styles. These buildings give us a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in Oudtshoorn at this time. The decorative turrets and intricate lace work on some of the buildings are testament to the brilliance of architect, Charles Bullock.

Situated between two magnificent mountain ranges, to the north is the Swartberg mountain range and to the south is the Outeniqua mountain range. From Oudtshoorn one can join up with the N12 to the south taking you on a picturesque journey over the Outeniqua Pass to George on the Garden Route.  Here you connect to Mossel-Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg-Bay on the magnificent coast. 

Oudtshoorn is only 60 kms from George Airport, making it convenient to connect to the rest of South Africa, a plus for keen travellers and businesspeople needing modern day convenience.  

Offering good education for your children is key and Oudtshoorn provides schools with a solid academic foundation supported by developing a strong social conscience and social awareness, thereby nurturing independent and confident members of society.  Teachers in Oudsthoorn foster a collective ethic to strive toward self-motivation and discipline in a safe, challenging and interactive learning environment encouraging children to reach their full potential.

The two main Primary Schools in Town are Wesbank Primary and Van Reede Primary 

The two main Secondary Schools are Hoerskool Oudtshoorn and Langenhoven Gimnasium 

Oudtshoorn has one of the best Mediclinic's in South Africa that offers expert medical services to national and international patients.  Medical specialists at the local

Oudtshoorn Hospital ensure that all your families medical needs will be taken care of.

There are 3 retirement villages in Oudtshoorn with excellent, professionally trained staff, so buying your last home in Oudtshoorn is an investment in your future.

Oudtshoorn is at the heart of the little Karoo and forms part of the longest wine route in the world that stretches 270 Kilometers from Montagu to De Rust on the R62. 

Take a trip to Prince Albert across the picturesque Swartberg Mountain pass where you can buy 100% mohair woven carpets, blankets and jerseys, or visit the festive market on Saturdays. Go olive tasting at the Swart River olive farm, visit Gay's Cheese Factory and the old watermill.  In May the Olive Festival is a not to be missed affair. 

The exquisite Cango Caves, one of South Africa's finest caves, stretching almost 4 kms, is a 20-million-year-old cultural and natural landmark to be explored.

Visit one of our Ostrich farms for an insightful tour of Ostrich Farming and the history of the industry, if you are keen on local history you might want to visit the Museum in town for an insight to the history of Oudtshoorn. 

Take the backroads and visit the surrounding areas, with beautiful rolling landscapes and indigenous plant life where every town offers something unique with a sense of nostalgia and inner peace.  

If you're looking for the perfect bite to eat, you will be spoilt for choice, with an array of unique restaurants on offer.  Visit the Karoo Pot, Nostalgie, Annie's Bistro, Jemima's, Smitswinkel and Casa Del Sol to name a few, all providing an excellent variety of culinary delights.

A place where you feel at home, Oudtshoorn is still a safe place to live.

To enjoy the laid-back life of yesteryear, make your new home an Oudtshoorn home, by contacting a trusted property advisor at Harcourts Oudtshoorn.