Situated only 1 km from the N2 on the Garden Route between Riversdale and Albertinia, and only 30 km away from the sea (Stilbaai), this is the ideal halfway stopover between Cape Town (only 328 km away) & Port Elizabeth, with George Airport only 90 km away.
Map:
Directions:
From Riversdale: Pass Riverdale on N2. Look for the Stilbay turn-off. Don't turn off, but proceed from there another 14km on the N2 towards Albertinia. Look out for the brown Zoutpan sign. Turn right onto a gravel road for 1km and arrive at Zoutpan Struishuis Guest Farm.
From Albertinia: Past Albertinia for 10km. Look out for the brown Zoutpan sign. Turn left onto a gravel road for 1km and arrive at Zoutpan Struishuis Guest Farm.
The area surrounding Albertinia is an eco-paradise with breathtaking views stretching from the coastal area right along the Gouritz River over the dune lands to the South of the N2 up into the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains to the North.
The fine food served at the Albertinia Hotel has become something of a legend. The town is cradled between the Langeberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean, and it offers some of the finest examples of the unique collection of about 6 500 species of Cape fynbos (plants) that grow only on South Africa’s coast.
The agricultural sector remains the most important contributor to the local economy, with livestock farming, (cattle, sheep and ostriches) being the leading sub-sector.
Well known for its abundance of aloes growing in the district, it is the country’s foremost source of aloe juice. Used in the health and skin care industry, two factories in Albertinia extract juice and gel from the harvested aloe blades. Much of their produce is used in their beauty products, also produced here.
The commercial harvesting of thatch reed is another main source of income to farmers and workers alike. Confined only to the area between the Gouritz and the Breede Rivers, this has been used to thatch all the Cape Dutch houses since the beginning of South African history. This reed is completely solid, unlike the normal thatching grass, which is hollow. It also lasts longer and does not rot or burn as easily as normal grass does.
tourist attractions:
Nearby, is a beautiful stretch of coast line between Stilbay and Mossel Bay. It is also home to one of only few remaining sand golf-courses in South Africa, where you can enjoy a round of golf on this scenic 9 hole golf-course.
Popular daily tours through the aloe factories also afford one the opportunity to buy some of the wide range of beauty and healthcare products available.
