Over three hundred different species of flowers have been recorded here, making it far and away the best place to experience the entire range of spring flowers South Africa has to offer.

You’ll see flowers literally everywhere you look at the height of spring, but the Matjiesfontein Padstal, fourteen kilometres out of town on the road towards the Botterkloof Pass, is one of the highlights of the area. Dirt roads criss-cross the farm behind the padstal offering spectacular views across fields of flowers… you can even take a picnic table and enjoy breakfast amongst the blooms!

On your way back to Nieuwoudtville, stop for a look at the Oorlogskloof glacial pavement five kilometres from the village. It’s clearly signposted and just 100 metres from the road you can take a look 300-million years back in time to when glaciers covered much of the area.

Thankfully it’s warmed up a bit since then, and the Nieuwoudtville wildflower reserve two kilometres east of town is a good spot to enjoy the spring sun on your back as you gaze at the flowers. Founded in 1974, the reserve can be explored in under an hour and the 'koppie' in the centre makes a fine place for a picnic lunch.

From the outcrop you can see across the valley to the Hantam National Botanical Garden, which was recently established by the South African National Botanical Institute on the Glenlyon Conservation Farm of Neil and Neva MacGregor. Glenlyon has long been famous for having some of the best flowers in the region. The Garden is open from 7.30am – 4.30pm from Monday to Friday, but opens over weekends during flower season. Entrance is R10 per person (R5 for children) from August to October, and free of charge throughout the rest of year. Bus tours are conducted during the flower season at a cost of R150 per person.

I doubt Barry Louis Polisar has been to South Africa, but if he ever wanted to see his flowers "growing wild and free", the empty plains of the Karoo Bokkeveld surrounding Nieuwoudtville would be a good place to start.