Every guest has a favourite abode for their Oakhurst stay. The Forge for its historic charm and great setting, The Farm Cottages for their proximity to the forest trails, not to mention the family friendly vibe, or maybe the Africamps tents for that added touch of adventure. But what about The Schoolyard? It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, this old building was nothing more than the remains of the original farm…
The life of a dairy farmer isn’t an easy one. This is an early to bed, ridiculously early to rise existence, working almost round the clock to make sure that the thousands of litres of milk required by the milk truck, are ready for collection each day when it arrives on the farm. The aspects of running a successful dairy are numerous, but even the layman knows that without the cows, there’s not a hope…
OAKHURST MEAL BASKETS – A HIT ON ALL FRONTS For many it’s the fact that they’re just downright delicious. For others (moms especially) there’s something about not having to deal with catering and meals which makes a holiday feel like it should. For us it’s the chance of sharing some of the area’s best home-grown food, creatively packaged in each basket we make up. Wakey wakey! This is what’s waiting for you in the Sunrise…
Like them or not, baboons are part of life on Oakhurst. They’ve been roaming the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and the surrounding kloofs and valleys for millennia. From time to time they’ve been a menace in our maize crops, but generally we’ve learnt to live life alongside these primates by following a few simple rules. Like them or not, baboons are real characters! Bring in the troops Baboons are a social bunch and we’ve…
Life on a farm is never clear cut. Unlike urban areas, there are so many day to day elements which just can’t be controlled. Yip, we may have oodles of space and fresh air galore, but the appeal of that natural environment means we need to share it with all sorts of other creepy crawlies and the like. At Oakhurst, we’ve made it our mission to live in harmony with as many of these as…
Our Farm Cottages have been part of the Oakhurst story for over 40 years. It’s now nearly a decade since they received a full restoration and were slotted into the farm’s accommodation line up, offering a fabulous setting for families or groups staying at Oakhurst. Over the years the gardens have flourished, the trees have grown and more recently the cottages have received their annual refurb, ready for the busy festive season. From the air.…
At first glance you may think Oakhurst is all about cows and pastures. But behind the scenes, there’s a growing population of honey bees, not only busy producing our delicious farm honey, but also playing a vital role in Oakhurst’s biodiversity drive and sustainable farming practices. You see, there’s more to bees than the trickle of honey in your Rooibos or the glistening layer of sweetness on your toast, they provide an important helping hand…
Returning Oakhurst’s forests to indigenous Spring at Oakhurst is always marked by a sudden burst of life on the farm. Birds are nesting, pastures are growing, cattle are feeding, there’s even a faint glimmer of daylight when farmer Jake heads off for dairy duty at 5.30am. It’s also a great time to plant a tree, or in our case, make that 15 trees. Farmer Jake and Melissa from Precious Tree Project discuss what goes where…
At Oakhurst we’re firm believers on good ol’ fashioned farm fun for kids, the kind of activities that’ll allow them to get out and explore, ride their bikes, play outside, swim, fish and climb. Best of all, at the end of a busy farm day, they’ll collapse into their beds, utterly exhausted. With that in mind, we’ve focussed on a few great options to keep your little ones buzzing during their Oakhurst stay, and hopefully…
Ever spent a freezing cold night tangled up in a paper-thin sleeping bag, your inflatable mattress deflating faster than the sun can rise? If that sounds familiar, then you’re probably not itching to get back into the great outdoors. But hey, times have changed and Africamps have brought the world of “glamping” to our shores. Now, luxury tents aren’t exactly a new thing to us down here at the bottom of the African continent. In…
No farm stay at Oakhurst is complete without meeting our band of trusty steeds. They’re certainly a much loved bunch. You might just be coming over to the stables for a quick “hello”, taking a kiddies pony ride or even going the whole hog and heading out on one of our popular trails. Whatever you’re in for, the chances are you’re going to love our horses and the great range of activities we offer around…
A stay at Oakhurst without a tour of the dairy is a bit like having your porridge without cream. Let’s face it, there’s something missing. Being surrounded by herds of dairy cattle during your stay on the farm, you’re bound to find a journey through the core of the Oakhurst operation, a fascinating insight into how we get the right dairy products into our homes. Meet the herd The Oakhurst herd is made up of…
You’ll have to agree that once you settle in at Oakhurst, it quickly becomes clear that this isn’t the kind of place you’re likely to get bored. While there are an endless number of action-packed activities to keep you busy on the farm, the options and interests within a short drive of Oakhurst are also in no short supply. Here are a few easy outings to sink your teeth into on your next Oakhurst visit.…
Proving to be a real hit amongst the soon-to-be wed set looking for the ultimate country nuptials on the Garden Route, our recently completed wedding venue has been strutting its stuff over the past month. Looking back at the weddings we’ve hosted at Oakhurst since the venue was completed, each one has been completely unique, with couples adding their special touches to personalise the space and setting. That’s what works so well with a Oakhurst…
Guest safety is a big issue at Oakhurst, and with our farm dam and swimming pool frequented by people of all ages, we’re continually appealing to visitors to be safe and aware of the dangers around water. Apart from small children not being permitted into the fenced swimming pool area without an adult escorting them, we needed to do more. Having spotted the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) pink life saving buoys dotted along unmanned…
Oakhurst Farm has become an increasingly popular spot for couples to tie the knot. The rural setting, historic chapel and variety of farm accommodation make for a all-in-one wedding package, where family, friends and of course the newly weds themselves can celebrate this special occasion in style. Home, James! The 1978 Series 3 Land Rover ready for wedding services at Oakhurst. Along with our newly completed wedding venue, which is shaping up nicely and just…
It’s all action at Oakhurst at the moment, guests settling in for the year-end holidays, kids riding bikes, horses heading out on their daily trails, tight lines down at the farm dam, Christmas wreaths on the cottage doors… the vibe is festive and fun. Our cottage doors decorated with Christmas wreaths. Amidst all the celebration, it’s hard to forget the turmoil and uncertainty that this year has thrown at us. Back in March, bookings for…
2020, what a year! What started off as a bustling first few months at Oakhurst Farm Cottages, ground to a distinct half in March when SA went into Covid-19 lockdown. The uncertainties were plentiful, but what was for sure was that guests couldn’t come to Oakhurst, bringing the demand on our accommodation and certain farming operations to a grinding halt. Crafting a masterpiece But for our ever-positive and energetic farm managers Hendrik and Wilna Vorster,…
This age-old term gets thrown around loosely, but we’ve been putting a lot of energy into our sustainability efforts, recycling and creating systems which allow us to tread on ol’ mother earth, with a slightly lighter touch. From our guest accommodation to our dairy and general farming practices, we’ve focussed on a few of these game changers, which have made the most noticeable impact on Oakhurst Farm. It all starts at home Compost heaps, separating…
Oakhurst just wouldn’t be the same without our pack of much-loved pooches, each exuding their own charm and character as they make their way around the farm, often popping into a guest cottage to say hello (or more likely looking for the odd snack!). Recently, we’ve introduced three chipper little characters to the Oakhurst pack, bringing us to a grand total of seven hounds. For the sake of this article, we’ll focus on these three…
There are few remaining large, working farms along the Garden Route. As the region emerged from a sleepy backwater into a well-trodden tourist destination, the value of land shot up and many farms were sub- divided and sold off for development or as lifestyle small holdings. Oakhurst Farm survived and today retains its 640 hectares, now a symbiotic mix of tourism and agriculture. With an appreciation of Oakhurst’s rich history and being a sixth generation…
Nothing beats the crackle of a winter fire, your feet clad in a comfy pair of slippers and a glass of good red nestled firmly in your clutches. But before you chuck another log onto the open flames, there’s a good tale to be told as to where those bags of Oakhurst firewood come from. Australian blackwood being chopped into smaller pieces ready for packing. Let’s go back to the mid 1800’s, certain tree species…
When one talks of wildlife along the Garden Route, it’s often with a sense of wonder that much still manages to survive. The ever-growing urban development and a busy national road certainly have affected the numbers. But it’s also easy to forget how much of this region is still undeveloped, both along the coastal belt and further inland, with the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains spanning huge areas of protected reserve. On that fertile plateau above…
Every couple dreams of the perfect wedding venue. From setting to accommodation, the chapel, and a host of finer details, there’s a lot to consider. But the real challenge is being able to find all of this in one location. Weddings have been taking place at Oakhurst for a number of years now and have allowed for a range of wedding packages to cover all bases…and cover them in style. Going to the chapel The…
Rural bliss is a dream for many right now, especially when it comes in the form of swathes of rolling farmland, forest tracks and trails, accommodation that’ll knock your socks off and enough space for you and the kids to run wild. With SA’s Covid-19 lockdown period now only set to ease by a sliver, most of us need to keep the dream of this kind of freedom alive. While patience has become the name…
