Day trip: Darling, flowers and a theatre on the old station
An hour west of the valley, Darling has spring wildflowers, a satirist's theatre, wine farms and a craft brewery.
Darling is a small West Coast town about 60 km west of Riebeek Kasteel, under an hour away. It has a character all its own and makes an easy day out.
In August and September Darling is about flowers. The Darling Wildflower Show has been held since 1917, and nature reserves such as Tienie Versfeld, on the road towards Yzerfontein, are good places to walk among the spring flowers.
The town is also known for Evita se Perron, the theatre and restaurant on the old station platform created by satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys, home of his character Evita Bezuidenhout. Check the programme before you go if you want to catch a show.
There is plenty more for a day: the Darling Museum in the old town hall, wine farms on the Darling wine route, Darling Brew's tasting room, and olive tastings in the area. In September, the Voorkamerfest sees residents open their living rooms for theatre and music.
Combine Darling with the beach at Yzerfontein for a full day, and drive back to the valley through the wheat fields in the late afternoon light.
