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…
