Estimated to be over 300 years old, the Post Tree is an Olienhout tree situated along the R46 between Riebeek Kasteel and Hermon. Travelling from Kasteel towards Hermon, it’s on the right-hand side a few hundred meters after the Waterbron farm sign board.
Long before any modern postal or courier services existed, the tree was used as an informal post office for the Riebeek Valley. Mail would be transported via rail from Cape Town and it would arrive at Hermon station.
The postmaster at Hermon would drop post due for Riebeek Valley residents beneath the tree and blow a horn to notify the postmaster in Riebeek Wes, who would then be alerted to pick up the post and in turn, distribute it to the residents of the valley.
Off The Track
Continue on the R46 towards Hermon. On the left and before the bend with the bridge over the Berg River, turn into at the signboarded Du Vlei farmstall which is situated on Vlysbank.
