Caledon Hot Springs
Caledon hot springs have been an attraction to the town since the mid 1800s. Originally the spring was little more than a warm muddy bog surrounded by a few small hostelries. Actual development started in 1710 when Ferdinand Appel secured a grant of 10 ha in the area on the condition that he erects a building for the use of visitors to the curative waters.
Caledon was a haven for well-to-do Capetonians and residents of the Western Cape. The sanatorium proved so popular with visitors that in 1902 the original Victorian bath was developed and it is still in use today.This historic cement bath is well maintained and the mineral pools are completely drained and filled every week on a Monday, except the historical Victorian Bath is drained and cleaned every Friday.
It is a traditional belief that the earth shares its healing power through hot water bubbling up through the earth’s crust. Hot springs still give relief to many ailments today.
Thousands of years ago, the hot springs in the Overberg were used by the indigenous people living in the area. Dutch explorers first explored the Overberg in 1694. During their expeditions, they found the hot springs and the healing waters. The town of Caledon was established because of the spring which gave much relief and healing to travellers.
The brown colour is because of the high iron content which is known as chalybeate. The ‘oily” surfaces are due to the high mineral content in the water which varies according to weather conditions. The springs produce over a million litres of water every day with an average temperature of 65 degrees Celsius.
There are several cascading hot pools with varying degrees of heat. The highest pool
in beautiful tropical setting is very warm. This pool is accessed by a staircase. There is also a steam room, sauna, frigidarium pool (cooling off), swiss shower and jacuzzi.
The Spa is currently incorporated into the Caledon Hotel but day visitors can book to make use of the pools, Bookings can be made with Computicket, but numbers are limited.
The Caledon Hotel and Spa, 1 Nerina Avenue, Caledon 34°13’31.5″S | 19°26’13.7″E
.
