It's right there in the title – cheese farm. What more could you ask for? Van Gaalen Cheese Farm offers cheese lovers the perfect opportunity to indulge their senses and soak up the lush outdoors. Plus, there's a ton of fun family-friendly activities for all ages. Read on to find out exactly why you need to visit Van Gaalen Cheese Farm as soon as you can!
Van Gaalen Cheese Farm is situated in the picturesque Hartbeespoort area. Famous for its on-site cheese mill and tasting centre, Van Gaalen also offers adventure seekers thrilling outdoor experiences. Bring the whole family along to learn all about how traditional Dutch cheeses are made and to sample some of the yummiest goudas, cheddars and bries around.
You can enjoy a meal at the Terrace restaurant which overlooks the magnificent surrounds, or pick up a few cheeses to take home with you from the farm shop. Van Gaalen Cheese Farm also offers biking, hiking and running trails. Here's a brief overview of what to expect when you visit.
Cheese Galore
If you've always dreamed of going on a cheese tasting spree, Van Gaalen Cheese Farm is the place to be. They offer guided tours offering an epic journey to learn how cheese is made. The tour lasts 60-minutes and includes a decadent cheese tasting. Once you've gotten a taste of all that Van Gaalen's has to offer, pop into the farm shop to pick up some delicious goodies.
Al Fresco Dining
The Terrace Restaurant at Van Gaalen offers picture-perfect views of the Magaliesberg mountain range and Skeerpoort River. Enjoy their fine selection of dishes – from wood-fired pizzas, to sushi and cheese platters (of course). This is family-friendly restaurant and is ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch. As the seasons change, so does their black board menu, so stop to see what's new.
Find out more about the Terrace Restaurant here.
Lovely Picnics
The Terrace restaurant also offers delightful picnic hampers that you can order in advance. Bring your special someone for a romantic picnic along the Skeerpoort River. Each basket includes a cheese platter, cold meat platter, noodle salad, pickles and olives, bread and biscuits, seasonal fruit and sweet Dutch biscuits. Book yourself and your loved ones a day out in the sunshine and enjoy the comforts of great food, good company, and the fresh countryside air.
Adventure Time
The Hartbeespoort area is well known for being one of the top adventure destinations within driving distance of the city. Van Gaalen Cheese Farm knows how much you love to get that adrenaline pumping, which is why they offer biking, hiking and train running.
The Van Gaalen Trails cross over 30 private farms, with over 80km of single-track throughout the Skeerpoort Valley. The trails are open from Wednesday to Sunday, so there's really no excuse not to come and explore. Please note that trail permits are essential.
Tractor Rides At Van Gaalen
For some country fun, there are also tractor rides available at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm over weekends and public holidays depending on the weather. This is a fun way to take in the views of the farm, enjoy some sunshine, and get some fresh air. Tickets for tractor rides can be purchased at the Cheese Shop.
Tractor ride times: Weekends and Public Holidays: 11:00 – 15:00
There's A Play Area For The Kids
While parents dine and relax after a day of cheese tours, trails, and fun, the kids can blow off even more steam with the outdoor play area. This play area can be found outside The Terrace restaurant, so parents can enjoy something delicious while keeping an eye on the little ones as they play. This is most certainly a family-friendly destination!
For More Information
Visit www.vangaalen.co.za for more information.
You can also contact Van Gaalen Cheese Farm by calling 083 226 7834 or emailing [email protected].
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest information, news, events, offers, tours and more.
Opening hours:
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays (unless public holiday)Open Wednesday to Sunday from 08:00 – 17:00
Address: Plot 260 Skeerpoort, Hartbeespoort.
