Barrydale is situated on Route 62 in the Western Cape lies between between two extremes. On the one side is the beautiful and fertile Tradouw Valley and on the other side you are faced with the stark and semi-arid Klein Karoo. These striking contrasts are experienced in a distance of 10km.

Two scenic drives will bring you to Barrydale. The N2 through Caledon and bypassing Swellendam, turning off onto the R324 after Buffelsjags via the Tradouws Pass. Barrydale is nestled at the foot of the Majestic Langeberge, in the Tradouw Valley, where the northern exit of the Tradouws Pass meets the R62 from Worcester, Robertson and Montagu.

Founded in 1882 by the Barry family of Swellendam, and nestling in the folds of the Langeberg Mountains, Barrydale is renowned for it’s vygies (mesembrayanthenums), brandy, peaches, apples, pears and apricots. The town can be approached from three directions: From the Overberg and the Garden Route via the magnificent Tradouw Pass. From Montagu and the fertile Tradouw Valley or from Oudtshoorn over the starkly beautiful Klein Karoo.

The region was referred to as Kannaland on a map produced in 1843, this name being derived from the genus, Kanna. This area has a higher rainfall than the Karoo, which gave rise to permanent populations of Quena or Hottentot people of the Attaqua tribe in the low lying floor of the valley and to the Bushmen / Khoisan, who inhabited the mountains.