Exploring South Africa’s Route 62

Stretching from the Cape Winelands through mountain passes, vineyards, Klein Karoo landscapes, and historic country towns, Route 62 has long been celebrated as one of South Africa’s most scenic road-trip destinations. Widely regarded as South Africa’s longest wine route, and one of the longest wine routes in the world, the region is increasingly attracting attention from buyers seeking lifestyle-led property investments, slower-paced living, boutique hospitality opportunities, and space beyond the country’s major urban centres.

While towns such as Franschhoek and Stellenbosch continue to dominate the luxury Winelands conversation, areas along Route 62 are carving out their own appeal. From wine farms and private retreats to boutique guesthouses and lifestyle estates, the region is increasingly attracting buyers seeking a different kind of luxury, one rooted in nature, privacy, hospitality, and long-term lifestyle value.

A Shift Towards Space, Privacy, and Lifestyle

Across South Africa’s luxury property market, lifestyle priorities continue to evolve. Remote working flexibility, wellness-focused living, lower-density environments, and demand for larger properties have increasingly influenced buyer behaviour in recent years.

For many buyers, Route 62 offers something difficult to replicate within major cities: mountain landscapes, open space, slower living, and a strong sense of place, all within relatively accessible reach of Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Unlike more established luxury nodes, many areas along the route still offer comparatively larger land holdings and more diverse investment opportunities, particularly within hospitality, wine tourism, and lifestyle farming.

Robertson: Wine Farms, Hospitality, and Country Estates

Often regarded as one of the gateway towns to Route 62, Robertson continues to attract buyers seeking wine-country living with greater privacy and scale than some of the more established Winelands destinations.

Known for its vineyards, mountain scenery, and growing hospitality offering, the town appeals to buyers looking at:

• lifestyle farms
• boutique guesthouses
• private country estates
• weekend retreats
• and hospitality-driven investments.

The area’s relative accessibility from Cape Town further strengthens its appeal for second-home owners and investors seeking tourism-linked opportunities.

Robertson Wine Valley is home to more than 50 wineries, supporting a strong tourism and hospitality economy throughout the region. Current property data also reflects a well-established lifestyle market, with average property values in Robertson sitting around the R5.5 million mark, notably strong for a non-metro Winelands destination.

Luxury properties in and around Robertson increasingly combine contemporary architecture with expansive natural surroundings, often incorporating wellness spaces, entertainment-focused design, and off-grid infrastructure.

McGregor: Wellness, Creativity, and Slow Living

Just outside Robertson, McGregor has developed a reputation as one of the Cape’s most distinctive lifestyle villages.

Known for its whitewashed cottages, artistic community, wellness retreats, and slower pace of life, the town attracts buyers seeking:

• creative escapes
• remote-working flexibility
• boutique hospitality opportunities
• and long-term lifestyle living.

Property values in McGregor currently average around R3 million, positioning the village as a more accessible lifestyle market within the broader Winelands region, while limited supply continues to support its exclusivity and long-term appeal.

The village has become particularly popular among buyers prioritising tranquillity, walkability, and nature-led living, while still remaining connected to the broader Route 62 and Winelands regions.

Montagu: Tourism and Outdoor Lifestyle Appeal

Further along the route, Montagu continues to attract visitors and buyers drawn to its natural hot springs, dramatic mountain landscapes, hiking trails, and strong tourism appeal.

The town offers a broad mix of property opportunities, including:

• guesthouses
• lifestyle properties
• holiday homes
• hospitality investments
• and smaller farms.

Current average property values in Montagu sit between approximately R5.4 million and R7.5 million, reflecting growing demand for lifestyle properties and country estates in the area.

Tourism remains a key driver of the local economy, with Route 62’s enduring popularity continuing to support accommodation demand throughout the region.

Barrydale and the Karoo Lifestyle Appeal

Towns such as Barrydale continue to attract buyers seeking an alternative to traditional urban and coastal living.

Positioned between the Winelands and the Klein Karoo, Barrydale offers a unique blend of:

• creative culture
• countryside living
• tourism
• hospitality
• and architectural character.

Average property values in Barrydale currently sit around the R4 million mark, reflecting growing lifestyle appeal as buyers increasingly seek quieter countryside destinations with tourism potential and strong character appeal.

The town’s boutique accommodation scene, restaurants, art spaces, and road-trip tourism continue to contribute to its growing popularity among both visitors and lifestyle buyers.

Oudtshoorn: Space and Broader Investment Variety

Further inland, Oudtshoorn offers a broader property base than many of the smaller Route 62 villages, creating a wider range of investment opportunities across residential, agricultural, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

Known internationally for its ostrich farming history, the town also benefits from strong tourism appeal linked to the nearby Cango Caves and Klein Karoo landscapes.

Average property values currently sit around the R3.5 million mark, with the region offering comparatively varied entry points for buyers seeking larger properties, hospitality opportunities, or agricultural investments.

Lifestyle Investment Beyond Traditional Nodes

One of the key factors driving interest along Route 62 is the growing overlap between lifestyle and investment.

Unlike purely residential markets, many buyers entering the region are exploring:

• short-term rental opportunities
• boutique hospitality
• farm stays
• wellness retreats
• wine tourism
• and mixed lifestyle-investment ownership.

The route’s tourism appeal, combined with South Africa’s broader semigration and lifestyle-led property trends, continues to support interest across multiple buyer categories, from retirees and remote workers to hospitality investors and second-home owners.

Increasingly, buyers are redefining what luxury property ownership looks like in South Africa. Beyond traditional urban and coastal hotspots, many are placing greater value on space, privacy, flexibility, tourism potential, and a stronger connection to nature and slower-paced living.

Along Route 62, this shift is reflected in the growing appeal of lifestyle farms, boutique hospitality properties, country estates, and architectural retreats positioned within some of the country’s most striking landscapes.

For buyers seeking a more experiential approach to property ownership, whether as a primary residence, weekend escape, hospitality venture, or long-term lifestyle investment, Route 62 continues to offer a distinctly different perspective on South African living.