Gouda was founded in the early 1800’s on the farm La Bonne Esperance. The owners of the farm, three elderly sisters who immigrated from Gouda in Holland, donated the land for the establishment of a town on condition that it be called Gouda. Initially it was little more than a marketplace on Saturdays where local farmers could sell their produce, but after completion of the railway line between Gouda and Cape Town in 1875, the village expanded rapidly. A railway station was erected followed by hotels, shops, a post office, a butchery, a school, a church, a bank and a missionary station. During the Anglo Boer war, the British Army set up camp on Gouda and a rather dilapidated Blockhouse from this era can still be seen on the Farm Koopmans Rivier, which farm incidentally was once owned by the brother of the well-known Voortrekker leader Piet Retief. Word has it that when the Voortrekkers travelled through the area on their North, they set up camp in the area for a few nights.
Gouda is a small rural village surrounded by breathtaking mountains. It became well known because of the world-famous Gouda cheeses. Apart from heavy snowfalls on the mountains during winter, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery on local wine farms when exploring the wine routes.
The 138 MW Gouda Wind Farm that was opened in September 2015, that is situated just outside of town would most definitely be a focal point.
On a more factual note: Of Khoekhoen origin, the name Gouda is said to mean “antelope”.
CAUTION: The route does NOT pass through town; however, nothing prevents one from popping into town and re-joining the route at the same point to continue the adventure.