At the heart of the Breede Valley lies a place that has been the catalyst for ever-expanding developments in Worcester. The Golden Valley Casino, part of the Sun International hotels and casinos, has been at the centre of changes that have transformed Worcester over the last 20 years.
Often described as the Cinderella of the Boland, Worcester has historically struggled to attract the attention and investment that nearby towns like Paarl and Stellenbosch enjoy. However, a closer look reveals that the town has been expanding at a rapid pace, with new road infrastructure, housing developments, retail shops, and tourism spots emerging throughout the area.
Melanie Durand, general manager of Golden Valley Casino and Hotel, believes the casino complex has played a significant role in this expansion. “The Casino spurred developments in the town as business people saw the potential,” she explained. Although Sun International isn’t directly involved in some of the new developments, it actively participates in the wider community through outreach programmes, nurturing entrepreneurship, and supporting various local activities.
Demonstrating its commitment to the Breede Valley, Sun International recently undertook a refurbishment of the 97-room lodge adjacent to the casino, renaming it a “Hotel.” This move signals the casino’s readiness to compete with larger establishments in attracting guests and providing a full hotel experience. “We’ve taken some of the furnishings and fittings from the Table Bay Hotel (which is being revamped) and used them in the hotel. We’ve repainted the rooms, hung new mirrors, and are providing a concierge service. Our enlarged continental or English breakfast offering is served in a dining area overlooking a sparkling pool and the mountains beyond,” Durand adds.
Worcester is also making strides to rival the ‘Big Boy’ towns like Paarl and Stellenbosch, as evidenced by the new mall built on the banks of the Breede River. This mall boasts everything that large shopping centres offer, with watering holes that provide spectacular views of the river.
Durand notes that Worcester has a vibrant business community but laments the absence of its own Business Chamber, something she hopes will be rectified in the future. The growing business activity means that long commutes between Worcester and the city are becoming unnecessary, as job opportunities encourage many to stay and work in their hometown.
With this boom in Worcester, property prices have surged, with the average cost of a decent three-bedroom house now approaching the R2 million mark. Worcester has come a long way since being merely a stopover on the N1 to Beaufort West. The town is now home to a myriad of tourist attractions, including its renowned wine farms. One such farm, Merwede, has been producing wines since 1844 and offers visitors a full wine tour, showcasing their impressive stainless steel tankers, sharing the story of wine production, and providing tastings paired with delectable cheese platters.
Nature lovers will find much to enjoy at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, where they can explore four hiking trails with informative boards detailing the indigenous fauna and flora. Alternatively, visitors can relax on the immaculate lawns or enjoy a delightful lunch at the Karoo Proviant Restaurant, taking home locally produced jams and preserves. The garden is also a popular wedding venue.
For those seeking adventure, Worcester offers a range of activities, including hang gliding off the mountains, watersports at the nearby Quaggaskloof Dam, canoe trips, and river rafting down the Breede River. The surrounding mountains provide excellent opportunities for kloofing, 4×4 driving, hiking, and mountaineering trails. Visitors can also hire mountain bikes or quad bikes at Wild X Adventure at Golden Valley.
