What you need to know about Caledon before investing
Category Lifestyle
Caledon, a thriving town significantly located in the Overberg region next to mineral-rich hot springs is just about 100 kilometres east of Cape Town. It was originally known as Bad agter de Berg (Dutch for Bath Behind the Mountain). A bath house was built in 1797 and as a result, the village of Swartberg sprang up. This village was later renamed Caledon.
The canola in Caledon
Due to its close proximity to the South Atlantic Ocean, the temperatures in Caledon are of a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. It is primarily an agricultural region with well-known activities involving grain production and stock farming. The area is popular for its rolling hills and yellow canola fields that give Caledon picture-perfect views each spring.
Canola is a vegetable oil derived from a variety of rapeseed that is low in erucic acid. It is mainly used for manufacturing of the following:
- Canola oil (crude oil and bottled oil-used as a salad and frying oil).
- Canola oil biodiesel.
- Canola based mayonnaise.
- Canola oil cake.
- Canola meal.
- Canola can be used for forage for pigs and poultry.
The wild flowers
Caledon is also world-renowned for its wild flower garden which forms part of a tranquil nature reserve at the entrance to Venster Kloof. The garden attracts many enthusiasts at an annual show during September. During this time of year Caledon's fields become a majestic land with the best displays of an abundant array of indigenous wild flowers that are in bloom. Most fynbos species as well as the famous Window Rock can be found here. For the adventurous, hiking through the nature reserve will provide an exhilarating experience with the indigenous fynbos vegetation, indigenous trees, prolific bird life and flowers, along with breathtaking mountain views of the Swartberg.
The springs
Caledon is also famous for its hot springs which were discovered by the early Khoi-Khoi that lived in the area. When the Europeans arrived they were exposed to the springs and attributed healing properties to the iron-rich waters. This led to the opening of a sick house and later a sanatorium, which was sadly destroyed by a disastrous fire. There are seven springs in Caledon, one of which is cold and the other six thermal. The thermal springs are warmed by contact with rocks heated by the pressure deep under the ground.
Attractions in Caledon
The Caledon Casino, Hotel & Spa serves as a great escape from the busy life. An elegant hotel and spa graces the site of the hot water springs offering the benefits of the spa water, casino, and sporting facilities. The casino floor has 370 slots to enjoy and table games such as American Roulette, Black Jack, Power Poker, High Rise Hold'em Poker.
The Caledon Museum is a social history museum displaying and collecting around the themes of The Victorian Period in Caledon and The History of People Living in Caledon. Artefacts that date back from 1840 to 1900. If you are keen for a souvenir, the Caledon Museum Shop stocks local products such as arts, crafts, dry flowers and delicious home-baked goods.
Property in Caledon ranges from smallholdings and vacant land to full titles. These properties offer residents a secure country living environment with beautifully designed homes. If you are keen on making the rolling hills and yellow canola fields of Caledon your home, contact one of our friendly agents at RealNet Overberg today.
Author: RealNet
