4 THINGS TO DO
1 BUY CHEESE
Two cheese farms are situated next to each other on the R712 to Bethlehem. Baris Monger is 12 km from town, and Noah’s Cheese is 6 km further along a dirt road. Baris Monger uses goat’s cheese. Their Vliedermaus, named after the family’s Staffordshire terrier, won awards at the South African Dairy Championships. Also try their ice cream, made from cow’s milk and cream. Campfire flavour is amazing! Think marshmallows, chocolate sauce, caramelised sugar… There’s also a guesthouse on the farm. Opening times: Every day except Tuesday, from 10 am to 3.30 pm. They close at 1 pm on Sundays.
Contact: 073 048 5785; baris.co.za Noah’s Cheese specialises in flavoured string cheese, smoked mozzarella and Salaté – their unique medium-soft cheese for salads, which also melts well on sandwiches.
Opening times: Every day except Tuesday, from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed when it rains.
Contact: 082 497 8723; noahscheese.co.za
2 GET YOUR ADRENALINE PUMPING
Clarens Xtreme offers white-water rafting, quad-bike rides, archery, Putt-Putt, paintball, abseiling and wall climbing. They also have a coffee shop and bar on the premises.
Where? 531 Sias Oosthuizen Street
Contact: 058 256 1260; clarensxtreme.co.za
3 LOOK FOR DINOSAUR TRACKS
Gideon Groenewald doesn’t live in Clarens permanently, but he offers tours if you book at least two weeks in advance. Your group must have a minimum of five and a maximum of 12 people. A tour takes about two-and-a-half hours and includes a talk about the geology and palaeontology of the Karoo Basin, with a focus on rock formations in and around Clarens and Golden Gate. Afterwards, you’ll go look for dino tracks.
He also has tours where you can help dig up dinosaur fossils.
Cost: R150 per adult; R100 per child. Minimum rate R500 per tour.
Contact: 078 713 6377; gideonhgroenewald@gmail.com
4 GO FOR A HIKE
There are 11 hiking and cycling trails in Clarens Nature Reserve, and you can fish at Kloof Dam. Maps and permits are available at places like Bibliophile, Clarens Brewery, Clarens Interiors, Clarens Xtreme and Mountain Odyssey. You can also buy your permit via the website.
Where? The conservation area is to the north, west and south of town. Cost: Permits R30 per adult; R15 per child; R50 for a map. Contact: clarensvillageconservancy.com
TOURISM OFFICE
Visit Mountain Odyssey for more information about accommodation and activities.
Where? 365 Main Street
Contact: 058 256 1173; infoclarens.com