Montagu Pass, Is situated in the Western Cape

Western Cape

The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...

 province of South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

, on the Regional road between Herold and George

George, Western Cape

George is a city with 203,253 inhabitants in South Africa's Western Cape province. The city is a popular holiday and conference centre and the administrative and commercial hub of the Garden Route.- Location :...

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The pass was named after John Montagu

John Montagu (colonial secretary)

John Montagu was colonial secretary of Van Diemen's Land 1834–1842 and later of Cape Colony.-Early life:...

, Colonial Secretary of the Cape in the 1840's, whose enthusiasm for good roads resulted for the first ambitious program of construction in Southern Africa. This pass was damaged by the floods of November 1996, and was closed for most of 1997. It has been repaired and is now open. Driving time of +-one hour will take you over the Outeniqua Mountains

Outeniqua Mountains

The Outeniqua Mountains are a mountain range located in the Western Cape of South Africa. They run in a north-easterly direction from the George area.-Nomenclature:...

, through the village of Herold to the Uniondale/George road.

Construction

In 1844 some 250 convicts started with the construction of the pass and it was opened for traffic in December 1847. The passage over the Outeniqua mountains, which used to take a full three days over the Cradock Pass, could now be accomplished within three hours. Today it takes 15 minutes by car.

Henry Fancourt White

Henry Fancourt White

Henry Fancourt White, , was a Colonial Assistant Surveyor from Port Macquarie, Australia who came to South Africa and built the Montagu Pass between George and Oudtshoorn, over the Outeniqua Mountains.-1820 Settlers:...

, an experienced road engineer from Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, was in charge of the work. His name is perpetuated in the lovely Fancourt Estate and in the village of Blanco (originally called White's Village). On your way up, you'll pass the Old Tollhouse where once the toll of one penny per wheel and one penny per ox had to be paid. This historic building, declared a National Monument, is currently in a bad state having been vandalised. "Keurrivier se brug" further on has also been declared a National Monument. Note the original stone wall all along the pass. The name boards tell interesting tales. The narrowest part of the pass with overhanging cliffs was called "Die Noute" Here wagons could not pass abreast. Further on is "Regop Trek", the steepest part of the road. Where the road passes underneath the railway bridge, you have "Stinkhoutdraai" where stinkwood trees used to grow in profusion. In this way the pass continues, until, at last, you reach the hotel at North Station. The oldest part of the building dates back to 1840.

The Old Toll House

This Building is built of local stone and it's a proclaimed heritage site. The toll was 2 pence per wheel and one penny for each pulling animal. 2 pence for a horse, cow, ox or mule and 1 half a penny for a sheep, goat or pig.
The first toll keeper was John Kirk Smith who was born in Nottingham England, 1818.