Bredasdorp is a sleepy agricultural town in the midst of a peaceful landscape of sheep farms and wheatfields at the southern-most region of Africa. The town of Bredasdorp is clean and pleasant, situated on the slopes of a 368 m high hill called the Preekstoel (pulpit), on the ridges of which grow a profusion of giant proteas. Wheat, wool and wild flowers are the principal products of the Bredasdorp district.

Bredasdorp was established as South Africa's first "dorp" (town) by Michiel van Breda in 1838. Van Breda, the first mayor of Cape Town, also regarded by many as the father of the merino sheep industry laid the foundation of the merino sheep on his farm Zoetendals Vallei. A rivalry between Michiel van Breda and his neighbour, P V van der Byl, led to the establishment of two separate churches on their farms and eventually two separate towns, Bredasdorp and Napier.

The grand old church remains the heart of modern Bredasdorp and forms part of an excellent museum complex. The restored Rectory is furnished in styles typical of several eras and is particularly interesting, because of the extensive use of furniture savaged from numerous shipwrecks. The neighbouring shipwreck museum has a range of exhibits from the skull of an unfortunate seaman to brass telescopes, finely made navigational instruments, exotic coins and superb china and ceramic ware.

Apart from its typical rural atmosphere, all essential services are available in Bredasdorp. Visitors regard this town as a conveniently situated base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.

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