Touws River

Afrikaans name: Touws Rivier

Touws River CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Western Cape

In the 1870's a railway line was established to link Cape Town with Kimberley and the station created where that line crossed the Touws River helped establish the town.

Touws River is a small town of around 7,000 inhabitants. The main farming activity in the area is sheep farming, particularly Merino sheep.

There are a variety of things to do in and around the town. Naturally there are some old steam locomotives on view. Although not situated nearby Touws River, the popular Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve can easily be reached from the town. Bird-watchers will find the surrounding area interesting and some of the Karoo species do occur here. In spring the wild-flowers put on a beautiful display.

Although it is a small town there is a variety of accommodation available including a camp site, hotel and some B & B's.

Above - Beautiful scenery near Touws River

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Steam locomotive on display

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 49

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 88

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 114

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 292

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