famous road
Route 62
South Africa's longest wine route, a scenic alternative to the Garden Route passing through the Klein Karoo and wine valleys.
8 km · about 15 min drive
AfricaSouth AfricaWestern Cape
Worcester
Western Cape, South Africa · Africa
About Worcester
Worcester is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Brandvlei, 8km from Route 62.
Worcester is in Western Cape, South Africa, with about 130,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Brandvlei, about 11 km away.
Worcester ( WUUST-ər) is a town in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is located 120 kilometres (75 mi) north-east of Cape Town on the N1 highway north to Johannesburg.
Being the largest town in the Western Cape's interior region, it serves as the administrative capital of the Breede Valley Local Municipality and asRead more
the regional headquarters for most central and Provincial Government Departments. Its mayor is Antoinette Steyn. The town also serves as the hub of the Western Cape's interior commercial, distribution and retail activity with a shopping mall, well developed central business district and infrastructure.
Worcester is located at an elevation of 220 metres (720 ft) and can be reached by road either travelling on the N1 highway through the Huguenot Tunnel or by driving through spectacular mountain passes. From Cape Town Du Toitskloof, from Wellington Bainskloof, from Malmesbury, Western Cape Nieuwekloof, from Ceres Mitchells, from Robertson Goree, from Hermanus Rooihoogte and from Johannesburg Hex River, with vistas over the Hex River Valley.
Geographically, the district is delimited mainly by mountains; to the southwest lies the massive Stettyns mountain range with an annual rainfall in excess of 2000 mm. To the west lie the Du Toitskloof Mountains and northwest lies the Slanghoek, Little Drakenstein, Elandskloof and Lemiet mountain ranges. To the north rises the Hex River Mountains which include the towering peaks of Chavonnes, Brandwacht, Fonteintjiesberg and Audensberg. Northeast of the town the colourful Keerom Mountain runs into the Langeberg range.
Worcester and its surroundings form part of the Breede River catchment area, which is fed by a number of smaller rivers supplemented by the run-off from the winter snows in the mountains. The district also includes the Hex River Valley.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Worcester?
Within an hour or so of Worcester: Route 62 (8 km), Bainskloof Pass (32 km), Huguenot Tunnel (34 km), Franschhoek Pass (40 km).
Are there any good drives near Worcester?
The nearest famous roads are Route 62, Bainskloof Pass and Franschhoek Pass.
Where is Worcester?
Worcester is in Western Cape, South Africa, about 11 km from Brandvlei.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 127,597
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Western Cape
- Timezone
- Africa/Johannesburg
- Coordinates
- -33.6465, 19.4485
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in South Africa
112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.
Full driving guide for South AfricaTags
Worth the detour from Worcester
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
historic highway
Bainskloof Pass
An 1853 Thomas Bain pass that runs as a narrow ledge blasted into the mountainside above the Witte River, barely altered since construction and now a national monument. The tarred road is single-lane in places with dramatic drop-offs.
32 km · about 35 min drive
tunnel
Huguenot Tunnel
South Africa's longest road tunnel, boring 3.9 km through the Du Toitskloof mountains on the N1 near Paarl and bypassing the old scenic pass above it.
34 km · about 40 min drive
mountain pass
Franschhoek Pass
A sweeping tarred climb out of the Franschhoek wine valley on the R45, following an old elephant migration route and offering a lay-by view back over the vineyard-filled bowl. Quick to drive and a favourite of Cape Town car clubs.
40 km · about 45 min drive
museum
Franschhoek Motor Museum
Elegant museum in the Cape Winelands housing over 220 vehicles from an 1898 Beeston to modern supercars.
49 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Worcester
- Right hereRoute 62South Africa's longest wine route, a scenic alternative to the Garden Route passing through the Klein Karoo and wine valleys.
- 32 kmBainskloof PassAn 1853 Thomas Bain pass that runs as a narrow ledge blasted into the mountainside above the Witte River, barely altered since construction and now a national monument. The tarred road is single-lane in places with dramatic drop-offs.
- 34 kmHuguenot TunnelSouth Africa's longest road tunnel, boring 3.9 km through the Du Toitskloof mountains on the N1 near Paarl and bypassing the old scenic pass above it.
- 40 kmFranschhoek PassA sweeping tarred climb out of the Franschhoek wine valley on the R45, following an old elephant migration route and offering a lay-by view back over the vineyard-filled bowl. Quick to drive and a favourite of Cape Town car clubs.
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