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A fiery sunset over the farm lawn and cottages, the hills dark against the sky.

Questions

Everything people ask

Answers in full. If yours is not here, ask Alison directly.

General

Where is Stonehouse Lodge?
On a 70 ha farm on the Goukou River, about 10 minutes from Stilbaai in the Western Cape and about 340 km (roughly 4 hours) from Cape Town. From Cape Town take the N2 past Riversdale (about 340 km). Turn right onto the R305 towards Stilbaai. After 19 km turn right onto the Spuithoek gravel road. After 1.3 km the Stonehouse Lodge gates are on your left.
How do I get to Stonehouse Lodge?
From Cape Town take the N2 past Riversdale (about 340 km). Turn right onto the R305 towards Stilbaai. After 19 km turn right onto the Spuithoek gravel road. After 1.3 km the Stonehouse Lodge gates are on your left. Follow the directions to the gate rather than the map pin: navigation apps struggle with the farm tracks.
How far is Stonehouse Lodge from Cape Town and George?
About 340 km and roughly 4 hours from Cape Town on the N2, and about 150 km (1¾ to 2 hours) from George Airport.
What accommodation is there at Stonehouse Lodge?
Three self-catering houses: Stonehouse Lodge (stone and thatch, sleeps 8, up to 12 on request), White House Cottage (the 1920 farmhouse, up to 7, private pool) and Grysbok Cottage (sleeps 8 in three bedrooms, two bathrooms, over the dam).
How much does it cost to stay?
From R2,000 a night for White House or Grysbok midweek, and from R3,000 a night for Stonehouse Lodge. Holiday rates are higher, up to R5,000 a night for Stonehouse over December. See the rates page for every season.
How do I book, and how quickly will I hear back?
Send your dates through the reservations page or on WhatsApp. Alison replies personally within 24 hours. A 50% deposit secures the booking and the balance is due on arrival.
Is Stonehouse Lodge self-catering?
Yes. Every house has a fully equipped kitchen and a braai. Stilbaai's shops and restaurants are about 10 minutes away.
Is it good for children?
Very. It is a working farm with hens to collect eggs from, calves and lambs to feed, horses, a trampoline, table tennis, a pool and a river to canoe on. Children need supervising near the water and the dam.
Can you fish at Stonehouse Lodge?
Yes, for bass in the farm's private dam, catch-and-release and with no licence needed. Most of the Goukou estuary is a no-take zone in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, at Stonehouse Lodge and White House Cottage.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 10:00. Let Alison know if you need different times.
Can I buy Stonehouse olive oil?
Yes. Order the 1 litre tin on the olive oil page, or buy it at the farm during your stay.
Is the olive oil made on the farm?
Yes. The olives come from the farm’s own 30 ha grove of more than 5,000 trees, planted in 2008, and are hand picked and pressed on the farm into a single-estate extra virgin olive oil.
Is there a discount for booking direct?
Yes. Book direct on this site rather than on Airbnb and you get 5% off the nightly rate, with no platform fees.
What is the deposit and cancellation policy?
A 50% deposit secures your dates and is non-refundable; the balance is due on arrival. If your plans change, ask early and Alison will try to move your booking to new dates.
Is there a minimum stay?
Stonehouse Lodge has a 7-night minimum over the December holidays. Ask about other dates.
Can we book the whole farm for a group?
Yes. Stonehouse Lodge, White House Cottage and Grysbok Cottage can be booked together for a reunion, a celebration or a big family holiday. Ask Alison for a whole-farm rate.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are welcome, provided they stay within the fenced area provided at your house.
Is there back-up power for load-shedding?
No load-shedding worries: solar panels and batteries in the barn are connected to all three houses and keep everything running.
Are linen and towels supplied?
Yes. Bed linen, towels and all homeware are supplied in every house.
Is there housekeeping during a stay?
Housekeeping is arranged with Alison (details to be confirmed).
Is there a braai?
Yes. Stonehouse Lodge has an undercover braai area, White House Cottage has an indoor braai and an outdoor braai in its atrium, and there is a firepit on the river lawn. Firewood comes from the farm.
Is there a swimming pool?
Stonehouse Lodge and White House Cottage each have their own pool. Guests also swim off the river jetty and in the dam.
Can we bring a boat or jet-ski?
Bring a boat, ski or canoe: Stonehouse has a private slipway and floating jetty. Jet-skis are not allowed anywhere in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area, which includes the Goukou estuary.
Do I need a fishing licence?
Not for the farm dam, which is private. For the estuary, shore or sea you need a DFFE recreational angling permit, available at the Post Office, and most of the Goukou estuary is a no-take zone.
Is there cell phone signal?
There is Wi-Fi at Stonehouse Lodge and White House Cottage. Ask Alison about signal for your network.
What animals are on the farm?
Rooi-poenskop cattle, Dorper and Damara sheep, Koekoek hens, horses, turkeys and peacocks, with springbok, bushbuck, bontebok and gemsbok, and duiker, grysbok and angulate tortoises in the bush.
Can we go horse riding?
Horse riding is available for experienced riders. Ask Alison when you book.
When is the best time to visit Stilbaai?
Summer for the beach, winter and spring for whales (June to November, peaking July to October) and quiet, and spring for flowers and birds. December and Easter are the busiest times in town.
Do you host functions or offsites?
Yes. Weddings for up to 120 guests, functions and corporate offsites are hosted by arrangement, with the three houses for your party. We quote per event: tell Alison your date and numbers in an enquiry.
Are there eco cabins?
Not yet. A small number of off-grid cabins are planned. Register your interest on the eco cabins page and we will email you when the first one is ready.

Stonehouse Lodge

How many people does Stonehouse Lodge sleep?
The nightly rate covers 8 guests. Up to 4 more can stay on request, for R100 per person per night: 12 in all.
Can we launch a boat at Stonehouse?
Yes. The house has a private slipway and a floating jetty on the Goukou River. The river is navigable down to the Stilbaai estuary and the sea. Jet-skis are not allowed in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area.
Does Stonehouse Lodge have a pool?
Yes, a swimming pool on the lawn below the house, plus the river and the dam for swimming.
Is there Wi-Fi at Stonehouse Lodge?
Yes.
Is there a minimum stay?
Over the December holidays the minimum stay at Stonehouse is 7 nights. Ask about other dates.
Can we book Stonehouse together with the other houses?
Yes. White House Cottage and Grysbok Cottage are on the same farm, so a big group can take two or all three houses. Ask Alison for a whole-farm quote.

White House Cottage

How many people does White House Cottage sleep?
Up to 7 guests, in two en-suite bedrooms and a family room with a double bed and two singles.
Does White House Cottage have a pool?
Yes, its own private pool, plus a covered veranda over the river and an outdoor braai area.
Is there a TV at White House Cottage?
Yes, the TV room has DStv. There is Wi-Fi too.
How old is White House Cottage?
It is the original farmhouse, built in 1920 with the old building methods and restored with a modern kitchen and en-suite bathrooms.

Grysbok Cottage

How many bedrooms does Grysbok Cottage have?
Three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
What does Grysbok Cottage look out over?
The farm dam, with rolling hills behind it. The bass dam and the walking trails are close by.
Is Grysbok Cottage good for children?
Yes. There are games inside and out, farm animals to meet and a firepit for evenings. Children need an adult with them at the dam.

Largemouth bass fishing in the farm dam

Is there bass fishing at Stonehouse Lodge?
Yes. The farm has a large private freshwater dam with largemouth bass. Guests fish it catch-and-release.
Do I need a fishing licence for the dam?
No. Private farm dams in the Western Cape do not need a freshwater angling licence.
What is the best time to fish for bass?
Early morning and evening, when the water is still. Bass are most active in the warmer months.
Can I fish in the Goukou River from the farm?
Most of the Goukou estuary is a no-take zone in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area. Fish the farm dam, or the controlled lower zone of the estuary with a DFFE permit.
Can I keep the bass I catch?
No. Fishing in the farm dam is catch-and-release only.

Bird watching on the Goukou

How many bird species are there around Stilbaai?
At least 230, according to BirdLife South Africa. Expect about 90 in a summer day and around 120 over five days.
When is the best time for birding in Stilbaai?
Summer, when migrants are present from late August to about April. Early spring is best for fynbos species.
Can you see fish eagles at Stonehouse Lodge?
Often. African fish eagles circle and call over the farm dam and the Goukou River.
What is the best birding spot near Stilbaai?
The Goukou River Causeway, about 18 km upriver on gravel, with 149 species recorded, including Secretarybird and Agulhas Long-billed Lark.

Hiking trails

Are there hiking trails at Stonehouse Lodge?
Yes. A trail runs from the river up to Riethuiskraal through the farm canyons and fynbos, and you can walk the olive orchard and indigenous bush on the upper farm.
What is the easiest walk in Stilbaai?
Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve: 4 to 8 km of easy paths through limestone fynbos, with no permit needed.
Do I need a permit to hike in Stilbaai?
No permit is needed for Pauline Bohnen, the Strandloper Trail or the Skulpiesbaai paths.
When should I walk the coastal trails?
At low tide. The Lappiesbaai trail to the Preekstoel and the Noordkapper trail both cross rocks that the sea covers at high tide.

Mountain biking

Do you rent bikes?
No, bring your own bikes.
Where can I mountain bike near Stilbaai?
On the farm tracks and gravel roads at Stonehouse Lodge, and on the 16 trails Trailforks lists in the Geelkrans and Pauline Bohnen reserves around Stilbaai.

Paddling and boating on the Goukou

Can we bring a boat to Stonehouse Lodge?
Yes. There is a private slipway and floating jetty on the Goukou. Jet-skis are not allowed anywhere in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area.
Can you water-ski on the Goukou?
Yes. The river in front of the farm is deep enough to ski at high and low tide.
Is the Goukou River safe for swimming?
Guests swim off the farm jetty and in the dam. Children should be supervised in and near the water.
Can we hire a boat at Stonehouse?
Yes. The speed boat can be hired with a skipper, and a smaller boat for river fishing costs about 30% less. Prices on request.
Are kayaks supplied?
Yes. There are two kayaks at the farm for guests.
How far is the Goukou navigable?
About 15 km inland from the mouth at Stilbaai. It is a tidal river.

Beaches and whale watching

What is the best beach in Stilbaai?
Lappiesbaai for swimming, with lifeguards in season. Jongensfontein's tidal pool for children and snorkelling.
When is whale season in Stilbaai?
June to November, with the most whales from July to October.
Where is the best place to watch whales in Stilbaai?
The whale lookout on the hill above the harbour, Morris Point and the Noordkapper coastal trail.
How far is the beach from Stonehouse Lodge?
Lappiesbaai, the main beach in Stilbaai, is about ten minutes’ drive from the farm.

Heritage, gin and day trips

Can you visit Blombos Cave?
No, the cave is on a private reserve and closed to the public. The Blombos Museum of Archaeology in Stilbaai shows replicas of the finds.
When are the Stilbaai eels fed?
At 11:00, Monday to Saturday including public holidays, at Palinggat in Stilbaai West.
Is Inverroche open on Sundays?
No. Inverroche is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
How far is Bontebok National Park from Stilbaai?
About an hour and a half by road, near Swellendam.