Tucked between the Klein Karoo and the Garden Route, Uniondale is the sort of small South African town that is easy to drive through and much harder to forget. Surrounded by rugged mountains, wide-open landscapes and old farming country, this historic town makes a worthwhile stop on a road trip – particularly if you enjoy scenic drives, interesting local stories, good country food and places that feel a little removed from the usual tourist trail.
Photo: Uniondale Tourism – uniondale.co.za
Uniondale is about 80km northwest of George and sits at an interesting crossroads between the Little Karoo and Garden Route. It is also a useful base for exploring the surrounding countryside, with routes leading towards Prince Alfred’s Pass, the Langkloof, Willowmore and the Baviaanskloof. The town itself has a long agricultural history, with sheep, Angora goats, seed and fruit farming still playing an important role in the local economy.
Hear the story of the Uniondale ghost
No list of things to do in Uniondale would be complete without mentioning its most famous resident – the legendary Uniondale ghost. The story centres on Maria Charlotte Roux, a young woman who died in a car accident on 12 April 1968 while travelling with her fiancé on the road between Uniondale and Willowmore. Years later, motorists began reporting sightings of a young female hitchhiker along the route.
According to the legend, the woman would ask passing motorists for a lift before mysteriously disappearing from the vehicle a short distance later. Different versions of the story have circulated over the years, making the Uniondale ghost one of South Africa’s best-known hitchhiking legends. There is, of course, no evidence that a ghost actually haunts the road, but the story has become firmly woven into the folklore and identity of the town.
Rather than treating the tale as fact, it is best understood as a piece of local folklore that has been passed from one generation to another. If you are travelling through the area, the story adds an intriguing layer to an otherwise wonderfully quiet stretch of Karoo road – particularly when you learn how closely the legend is tied to the real history of the town.
Wander through Uniondale’s historic streets
Uniondale is a good place to slow down and simply walk around. The town’s history can be seen in its older buildings, particularly around Voortrekker Street, where historic architecture gives the centre much of its character. Among the notable buildings is the Anglican church, while the old police station dates back to 1891.
The town has seven buildings or sites recognised as national monuments, and its mixture of Victorian and Cape Dutch architecture makes a gentle stroll through the centre worthwhile. Look up as you walk rather than rushing from one stop to the next – Uniondale is one of those places where the details, rather than a single headline attraction, make the visit.
Look out for the old Boer War forts
History buffs can also look for the remains of Uniondale’s old British forts. The town was strategically important during the Anglo-Boer War, and five forts were constructed in and around Uniondale to protect the settlement. Four of these structures are still visible today.
They are not polished, formal tourist attractions with extensive visitor facilities, so it is worth treating them as historical sites rather than expecting a conventional museum experience. Their real appeal lies in seeing how the landscape itself was once used for defence and gaining a little more insight into Uniondale’s place in South African history.
Take a walk at Toorwaterpoort
For something more outdoorsy, head towards Toorwaterpoort, a scenic gorge in the countryside around Uniondale. The area is known as a hiking location, with the route following the natural landscape through the gorge and alongside water.
One of the interesting things about Toorwaterpoort is that, unlike some of the region’s better-known mountain passes, there is no road running through the gorge itself. That helps preserve its sense of remoteness and makes it a particularly appealing option for travellers looking for a quieter outdoor outing.
As with any hike in the Karoo and mountain country, conditions can change quickly. Take sufficient water, wear suitable footwear, check the weather before setting out and make sure you know whether access or permission is required for the particular route you plan to walk.
Enjoy the scenery around Kammanassie
The Kammanassie mountains are one of the defining features of the landscape around Uniondale. The Kammanassie Nature Reserve covers a vast mountain area and is particularly important for conservation, including populations of Cape mountain zebra and a variety of other wildlife.
It is worth noting that visitors should not assume the reserve is a conventional public hiking destination. CapeNature’s management information states that there are no public hiking trails within the reserve, while access roads can also require suitable vehicles, particularly after wet weather. For this reason, check directly with CapeNature before planning a visit rather than simply arriving expecting to hike.
Even without heading deep into the reserve, the surrounding Kammanassie landscape is spectacular on a road trip. The mountain roads and open valleys offer plenty of opportunities to stop safely, take photographs and appreciate the dramatic transition between the Little Karoo and the greener landscapes towards the Garden Route.
Follow one of Uniondale’s scenic road trips
Uniondale is particularly well suited to travellers who consider the journey part of the destination. One of the area’s signature drives is Prince Alfred’s Pass, which links the Uniondale area with the Garden Route and eventually Knysna. The historic route winds through rugged mountain scenery and is popular with cyclists, 4×4 enthusiasts and road-trippers.
Another option is the route towards Haarlem and the Langkloof. From Uniondale, the road passes through the Uniondale Poort towards Avontuur, where unusual rock formations are among the things to look out for.
The roads around Kammanassie, Warmbad and Barandas are another option for travellers who prefer quieter routes and big landscapes. Some are gravel roads, so check road conditions before setting off and allow more time than you would for the equivalent distance on tar.
Stop at a local farm stall
Road-tripping through the Uniondale area is not complete without making time for a farm-stall stop. The surrounding agricultural landscape means there are plenty of opportunities to buy local produce and stock up on something for the road.
Gwerna Farmstall / The Online Farm House is about 20km outside Uniondale on the N9 towards George and is a handy stop for travellers looking for a country-style break. It is the kind of place that works particularly well as part of a longer road trip: pull over, stretch your legs, have something to eat or drink and continue on your way.
Closer to the town, Die Weet Jy Farm Stall on the R339 is another option. Farm stalls are one of the pleasures of travelling through this part of the country, particularly when you can pick up something made or grown locally rather than relying entirely on chain roadside stops.
If you are continuing towards De Vlugt and Prince Alfred’s Pass, Die Plaaskind Padstal is another worthwhile roadside stop. It sits along the scenic route and makes a convenient place to pause during a mountain drive.
Make time for coffee and cake
For a small town, Uniondale has a surprisingly good selection of places to stop for something to eat. African Aloe Café is a popular local café on Voortrekker Street and is a good option for coffee, a light meal or something sweet.
Alwyn Koffie Winkel is another central stop, while Klein Karoo Deli & Cafe is useful if you are after something quick during a road trip. For a more substantial meal, Die Watermeul Restaurant is another established Uniondale option.
If you are looking for a place with a slightly more contemporary feel, Field And Vine Coffee and Wine Bar is another option in the town centre.
Opening hours in small towns can change, particularly outside peak holiday periods, so check directly with an establishment before making a special trip.
Don’t miss Uniondale’s farmers’ market
If your visit happens to coincide with the monthly market, look out for Uniondale’s Plaasmark. The local tourism organisation lists the farmers’ market for the last Saturday of each month, making it a particularly good time to visit if you want to see more of the town’s community and agricultural side.
Markets like this are also a chance to pick up local produce and homemade goods while supporting small businesses in the area. It is worth checking the latest details with Uniondale tourism before travelling, as dates and arrangements can change.
Play a round of golf with a Karoo backdrop
Uniondale even has its own golf offering, with the local course providing a rather different setting from the manicured estates found in larger towns and cities. The local tourism organisation describes the course as a uniquely Uniondale-style experience, with the surrounding scenery forming much of the appeal.
It is particularly suited to travellers who want to do something leisurely rather than spend the day ticking off major attractions. And, in true Uniondale fashion, you may have some local wildlife keeping you company.
Explore the Baviaanskloof from Uniondale
One of the biggest reasons to use Uniondale as a base is its proximity to the Baviaanskloof. The town is regarded as a gateway to this spectacular wilderness area, which forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site.
The Baviaanskloof stretches between Willowmore in the west and Patensie in the east, with dramatic mountains, gorges, rivers and rugged dirt roads along the way. It is not a quick roadside attraction, however. Conditions can be challenging, roads can be rough and weather can affect access, so anyone planning a proper Baviaanskloof excursion should check current conditions and access information before leaving Uniondale.
For travellers with enough time, the Baviaanskloof can turn a Uniondale stopover into a much bigger adventure through one of the country’s most spectacular wilderness landscapes.
Drive towards Willowmore
About 62km from Uniondale, Willowmore makes an easy addition to a road trip through the area. The two towns are linked by the N9 and together form part of a scenic route through the Klein Karoo.
Willowmore is also useful as a gateway to the western side of the Baviaanskloof and makes a good option if you want to extend your journey rather than turning Uniondale into a quick overnight stop.
Follow the route to De Vlugt and Prince Alfred’s Pass
If you have time for a longer scenic drive, head towards De Vlugt and Prince Alfred’s Pass. The route takes you from the dry, open character of the Klein Karoo towards increasingly mountainous and forested landscapes.
The pass is one of the area’s great road-trip attractions, but it should be approached as a mountain road rather than a quick shortcut. Give yourself plenty of time, keep an eye on weather and road conditions, and make sure your vehicle is suitable for the route before setting off.
The reward is a wonderfully varied drive through some of the most dramatic scenery connecting the Little Karoo with the Garden Route.
Visit Uniondale slowly
Perhaps the best thing to do in Uniondale is not to rush. This is a town built around wide landscapes, farming, old buildings, local stories and scenic roads rather than big-ticket attractions. Spend a morning wandering the historic centre, stop for coffee, pick up something from a farm stall and then take the long way out of town.
Whether you arrive because of the famous ghost story, a road trip through the Klein Karoo, a hike in the surrounding mountains or simply because you spotted Uniondale on the map, it is a place that rewards curiosity. Give it more than a quick fuel stop and you may find that this little Karoo town becomes one of the more memorable stops on your journey.
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