The town rests comfortably in the shade of Sleeping Beauty, a peak in the Langeberg Mountains where the dreamer can make out the silhouette of a slumbering maiden with long eyelashes brushing her cheeks and lips puckering prettily. With its abundance of indigenous Fynbos blanketing the surrounding mountain slopes and bright yellow canola fields stretching out on either side of the N2 during early spring, it’s no surprise that Riversdale has a reputation for being the Floral Paradise of the Garden Route.

When in search for things to do in the Garden Route, Riversdale is a great option with many tourist attractions. The historical buildings, caravan park, hearty cuisine, wine tasting and unique backpacker experiences provide a fascinating ramble around town. Additionally, the Langeberg Mountains offer a wealth of activities from hiking along fynbos trails to bird-watching and horse-riding. The 2021 Riversdale Adventure Race is a testament of the ideal remote and off-the-beaten-track natural surroundings of Riversdale. The Baleia Winery and Aan’t Vette Wines also offers wine tasting sessions which is ideal for a group of friends wanting a taste of Hessequa. The historical Old Jail is home to a Coffee Shop, authentic collectors furniture, art and a replica of the old gallow. Geocache enthusiasts can look forward to a very sneaky geocache at the Old Jail. The Julius Gordon Africana Centre houses the second large collection of Thomas Bowler paintings and an incredible collection of Africana memorabilia, including paintings from Irma Stern, Maggie Loubser and Johannes Meintjes. The admission to the venue is free of charge.

The Ukrainian Museum located at the Ha!Qua Youth facility in Môrestond, is a unique feature to the towns offerings and makes for the ideal township experience while exploring the Hessequa region. The museum showcase memorabilia from Ukraine and hints that Ukrainian traditions were influenced by Slavic mythology.

For those who enjoy a good adrenaline boost every once in a while, paragliding, hang gliding and rock climbing are also popular options at more remote locations and farm venues. Located just 18-km outside town – the Korentepoort Dam – is a dream waterside resort, where you can spend long, lazy afternoons enjoying sunny picnics on the grass or head out into the water for boating, bass fishing, skiing and canoeing. The Korentepoort Dam is also the hosting venue for the Outeniqua Bass Masters. The Oudebosch Guest Farm is a stones throw from Korentepoort Dam and offers visitors horse riding and self-catering units with the Langeberg Mountain as backdrop. 

Riversdale is also a popular spot among golfers, with the Riversdale Golf Course being one of the most picturesque in the Western Cape. The Riversdale Bowls Club needs little introduction as it is one of the most successful bowls clubs in the Garden Route and acts as regular host for district tournaments due its well maintained course. The Riversdale Bowls Club is located adjacent the Jurisch Park picnic area – which is a popular feature for wedding- and couples photography. The Makadas (a class 7 locomotive) dates back to the late 1890’s can be viewed on the Riversdale Plain. This locomotive is often photographed by locals and tourists and has a connection with Laingsburg. The Old Toll House is a historical monument which can be seen while exploring the Garcia’s Mountain Pass via the Ladismith Road. The Old Toll House dates back to 1910. 

The Sleeping Beauty Day Hiking Trail is a facility managed by CapeNature and offers hiking a 12-km day trail to the crest of the Sleeping Beauty. This trail poses a real challenge hikers, as the many twists and turns leads hikers to the 1343 m-high peak. A CapeNature hiking permit is required, which is electronically obtainable through the CapeNature website. 

The Werner Frehse Nature Reserve, located along the N2 opposite the Bali Trading Complex, offers day visitors a scenic and secluded setting, with walking trails and cycling trails of about 6 kilometers. The tourist attraction also offers braai facilities, parking and ablution facilities, making it ideal for weekend leisure outings. The facility need to be booked in advance, with the key available at the Municipal Development Planning Directorate building. 

The Sleeping Beauty Traders next to Bali Trading offers a world of authentic décor, art and gifts, ideal for all occasions. 

Riversdale may be considered a N2 coffee corridor with the incredible eateries and coffee experiences of Ikigai Coffee Bar, The Barista Café at Bali Trading, Nibbling Squirrel Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Oppi Plaas Padstal / Farm Stall, Die Rooi Aalwayn Padstal / Farm Stall, Ou Meul Bakery and Farm Stall, Dorpis Farm Stall, Signor Vino Restaurant, Wimpy, Debonairs Pizza, Vida e Caffé and Mugg & Bean all located along the N2. In town eateries includes Old Jail & Coffee Shop, De Oude Kelder, Dickson Bistro, Trends Café, Aan’t Vette Restaurant and Enya’s Coffee Shop.

The Hessequa Art Gallery is part of the greater Hessequa Art Route and has on display the work from popular artists like Marilise Lombard, Louise Kluyts and Sonja Magerison. The Cat’s Paws Pottery is also part of the Hessequa Art Route and has on display the beautiful pottery of Robyn Learmonth. 

The Hessequa Art Route has painted a Mural on the Riversdale Library wall which is a great way of sharing your experience of Riversdale. 

Riversdale is well-known for the architecture of its churches and buildings, which includes the New Apostolic Church, St. Matthews Anglican Church, Lutheran Church, Dutch Reformed Church, Old Jail and the Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa. 

The town of Riversdale offers mountain bike riders and cyclists many off-the-beaten-track gavel roads connecting with towns like Heidelberg, van Wyksdorp, Herbertsdale and Albertinia. The R62 is also accessible through Riversdale, via the tarred Garcia’s Mountain Pass. In addition, Riversdale is also the ideal Adventure Racing destination, as the Langeberg Mountain and series of water streams, dams, rivers and remote terrain makes for incredible Adventure Racing endurance challenges. In addition to the adventure racing, this town is the brand-home of the Riversdal Landbouskou / Riversdale Agricultural Show, which takes place 14-18 February 2024. 

The Dibiki Holiday Resort & Caravan Camping Site, De Doornkraal Vinotel, Meurant Self-Catering, Heritage House Self-Catering, Deo Volente Guest House, Lalani B&B, Central Boutique Hotel, Videira-On-Mitchell, Fynbos Guest House, Die Aalwyntjie Self-Catering, TeenDieBerg Adventure Farm, Zeekoegat Historical Homestead Self-Catering, Die Opstal Self-Catering, Oakdale Cottages, Oakhurst Guest House, Rusticana B&B, Windhoek Guest Farm and Kweekkraal Guest Farm boasts Riversdale’s profile as a mecca for nature enthusiasts wanting to escape the crowds and travel off-the-beaten-track.