Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
National Botanical garden in the Overberg
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden is unique as it encompasses mountain slopes with wind-clipped heathlands, deep gorges with relict forests, flats and marshes with restios, sedges, and bulbs, as well as dunes adjacent to the beach with specialised salt-adapted plants. The Garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools.
The main fynbos families (proteas, ericas and restios) are present as well as other important families such as irises, daisies, and orchids. The Garden boasts red disa (Disa uniflora) in its natural habitat as well as South Africa’s national flower, the king protea (Protea cynaroides). Information boards are placed along the paths so that visitors can take self-guided tours around the gardens. However, guided tours are also offered daily. A visit at any time of the year will prove a delight. This little piece of paradise is open 365 days a year.
Harold Porter has several trails to follow. The Fynbos and Zigzag trails hug a route along the slopes of Bobbejaanskop and The Plateau, with the reward of magnificent views over Betty’s Bay to the sea. You’ll need a permit (from the office at the entrance) for the Leopard’s Trail which heads up into the mountains and a waterfall.
The garden is a great place for a picnic and there are benches beneath the trees (over-60s get free entry on the first Tuesday of every month). Provide ID Book or Pensioners Card.
There is a souvenir shop an indigenous plant sales area, and an area that can be hired for events
Cnr Clarence Drive & Broadwidth Rd 7141 Betty’s Bay,
