THE VILLAGE
Explore Klaarstroom
Klaarstroom Guest House is situated in the picturesque, peaceful hamlet of Klaarstroom, an authentic Victorian, working farm village situated at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains.
Klaarstroom, meaning "clear stream", was established in the mid-19th century. It presented the first opportunity to farmers from deep in the Great Karoo, en route to the small port of Mossel Bay, to wash their precious cargo of wool in the clear mountain streams. A wool-washing facility was soon established. Time, technology, the railroad and modern highways passed Klaarstroom by with the wool-washing facility having long since disappeared.
Today the tiny inner village is hidden away from the nearby highway. It remains an historical snapshot of a Southern African Victorian village, sporting three churches, a Victorian police station, an old-world General Dealer Store and excellent examples of restored Victorian homesteads. The Anglican Church cemetery has two Anglo-Boer War graves - each with its own story.
Klaarstroom is at the Great Karoo entrance to Meiringspoort, a spectacular gorge through the mountains which links the Great Karoo and the Klein Karoo. Just 500m off the N12, the village is nestled behind sheltering koppies, making it an ideal restful stopover for those traveling to the coast or taking the inland route (Langkloof) between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape.
Swartberg Nature Reserve is 29 km away. The nearest airport is George Airport, 118 km from the village.
Also in the Klaarstroom Valley is Brett Bard's magical permaculture garden and vegan retreat, Tortoiseback Farm. This sacred space has been lovingly created and is infused with gentle energy. Visits are strictly by arrangement only but periodically yoga retreats are hosted here too.
Aswater Farm
Further along the Klaarstroom Valley is Aswater Farm, home of Calligraphy artist, Helen de Haas. Here, she and her husband, Carel, have created enchanting walks through the Karoo veld, along the river and under the Poplar groves which allow the participants to experience landscape art and calligraphic installations that whisper to and nudge the psyche...a truly unique experience. Helen periodically hosts artist workshops, offering some accommodation at the Letterhuis on her farm, but also making use of the Klaarstroom Guest House.