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Autumn is one of the best times to explore the Cape Winelands, and Tokara Wine and Olive Estate is marking this 'secret season' with the return of its annual Rare Plant Fair & Autumn Open Garden this April.
Set on the slopes of the Simonsberg, just off Stellenbosch’s Helshoogte Pass, Tokara is famous for its food and wine, but this one-day event invites visitors to wander through Tokara’s private farm garden – usually closed to the public – at what the estate describes as Autumn’s halfway mark. Expect meandering pathways, secluded garden rooms, sculptures and wide views across the Banghoek Valley.
One of the garden’s standout features is the Adamastor Moss Garden. Created by Japanese garden specialist Gert van Tonder using local sandstone, granite and moss gathered from the surrounding terrain, guided tours of the moss garden will be offered on an ad hoc, first-come, first-served basis.
Alongside access to the private gardens, the Rare Plant Fair will see specialist growers offering a wide range of plants for sale, including indigenous fynbos, proteas and more unusual exotic species suited to autumn planting. It’s a drawcard for serious plant collectors and home gardeners alike, but also for anyone looking for an easy day outdoors in one of the Cape’s most scenic settings.
There’s good reason to make a full day of it. Refreshments will be available on site, while a limited number of pre-booked picnic hampers from the Tokara Delicatessen will be offered for collection at the Boathouse on the main lawn. The hampers cost R650 for two and include a bottle of Tokara Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc, while children’s picnic boxes are priced at R150. Private picnics are not permitted.
Tokara’s Restaurant, Tasting Lounge and Delicatessen will also be open as usual during the event, with advance bookings recommended.
Need to know
- The Tokara Rare Plant Fair & Autumn Open Garden takes place on Saturday, 18 April 2026, from 8am to 4pm.
- Entry is R60 per person, while children under 10 enter free.
- Tickets are sold at the gate only, and payment is by card. No pets are allowed.
- Proceeds will go to Camphill Farm Community in Hermanus, which has provided residential care and work for adults with intellectual disabilities since 1978.
Make a weekend of it!
- Find a great place to stay near Stellenbosch on Airbnb
- Hungry? These are the best restaurants in the Winelands!
- Sunday strolling: The best things to do in Stellenbosch
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