Blue Hill Escape GPS Coordinates: -33° 35' 31.4268", 23° 24' 22.5036" or -33.592063, 23.406251
We are 40 km from the small town of Uniondale and 60 km from Willowmore, on the border of the Western and Eastern Cape. Sufficiently off the beaten track to avoid the crowds and still close enough to some of the Cape's major tourist attractions.
Blue Hill Escape is accessible by sedan vehicle in dry weather. However, heavy rains can damage the roads to an extent that a high-clearance vehicle or even 4 x 4 may be preferable.
Driving instructions:
From Uniondale:
Travelling on the N9 between Uniondale and Willowmore: 11 km north of
Uniondale turn right onto gravel road at sign “Hartbeesrivier”.
Drive for 18.8 km to Hartbeesrivier (cluster of houses).
At the Y-junction follow the main road left. Drive for 6 km. Turn right
onto a small gravel road (“Blue Hill Escape” is signposted
from here). You still have 4.6 km to go. Drive past several buildings and through two gates. Y-junction:
turn left and cross a small stream. Third gate: our property. Drive up to the houses.
From Willowmore:
Consider driving as “from Uniondale” if you have a sedan vehicle.
The gravel road from Willowmore is not always in a good condition.
Travelling on the N9 between Willowmore and Uniondale: About 3 km south
of Willowmore turn left onto gravel road towards Baviaanskloof. Drive
for 29 km. Turn right towards Uniondale. Stay on this road for 27.3 km.
Ignore the Uniondale turn-off to the right after 14.3 km and continue
straight towards Hartbeesrivier. After 27.3 km turn left onto a smaller
gravel road (“Blue Hill Escape” is signposted from here).
You still have 4.6 km to go. Rest see above (From Uniondale).
From Baviaanskloof:
Once you are out of the Baviaanskloof turn left towards Uniondale. Stay
on this road for 27.3 km. Rest see directions from Willowmore.
Download driving instructions and maps in a word document here.
By plane
The closest airport is in George, a 2 hour drive away. There are domestic
flight connections to and from most of South Africa’s big cities.
Seven domestic airlines service the country, including South African Airways
(SAA) and its sister carriers, Airlink and South African Express; British
Airways (operated by Comair); and the low-cost airlines of Mango
and Kulula.com.
From George travel on by car or arrange with us to get picked up.
By bus
A bus journey can be a good way to meet the locals. There is a good inter-city
bus network in South Africa with the main companies being Greyhound (www.greyhound.co.za),
Translux (www.translux.co.za) and Intercape (www.intercape.co.za). Greyhound
and Translux stop in George and Oudtshoorn, Intercape in Willowmore, Oudtshoorn
and George. Arrange with us to be picked up from there.
Transfer options
If you are not travelling by car we can pick you up in Willowmore, Oudtshoorn
or George. A transfer needs to be arranged at the time of booking and is not
included in the price of your accommodation.
For more information on this area's climate, geology, flora and fauna
click here.
