De Rust's restful respite
THERE is something quite undeniable about the allure of the Klein Karoo. With a landscape of stark contrast and dotted with quaint villages such as De Rust, about half an hour's drive from Oudtshoorn, there is most definitely something to pause about here for property buyers.
As the name suggests, the Klein Karoo village of De Rust is indeed the ultimate place for those looking for a restful respite from the growing stress and bustle of big city life.
It lies in a scenic valley between the Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains and, while largely an agricultural centre, now offers a burgeoning adventure and wine tourism industry.
With wonderful hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing and attractions such as Meiringspoort and the Red Hills of Rietvlei, a Natural Heritage Site that consists of red-coloured open caves, there is plenty to do here, says the agent.
It is also on the popular Route 62 wine route and renowned for its excellent dessert wines, pot-stilled brandy and fruit.
Voted town of the year in 2011 by the popular Kwêla television programme, De Rust has in recent years become a regular country escape for artists and weekenders with growing interest in property here. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape and with stunning mountain views, the area offers plenty for buyers. The village itself boasts lovely tree-lined streets and many excellent examples of late 19th-century architecture. It especially offers a wonderful selection of Karoo-styled country homes with verandas and views as far as the eye can see and, with prices ranging from R700000 to R1.6-million, still offers excellent value.
"As with most of the Karoo, the village is surrounded by farms and especially small holdings that are another popular option for buyers, the agent said. Prices of these range from R1.7-million to about R2.3-million for a 1.7ha lifestyle farm located about 12km from the village in the Rietvlei area," according to Seeff agent Johan Gerber.
The property includes a 150-year-old Karoo-styled farmhouse that has been beautifully restored and modernised with top-class finishes. Aside from lovely mountain views, it also overlooks a scenic dam.
There is plenty of water and two underground tanks that each hold 5 kilolitres, along with Eskom electricity. There is also an olive grove with about 45 trees.
Next to the property is a piece of agricultural land of about 10ha that is also for sale and there is thus the opportunity to really turn the property into a substantial farm, concludes the agent.
