Swissland is an established small business that was pioneered in 1994 at a time when goat cheese was frowned upon. Owner Fran Vermaak persevered through all the challenges faced with a new business. Mastering the art of cheesemaking and sticking to the basic principles of quality rather than quantitiy. A boutique farmhouse style of cheesemaking, using predominantly goats milk, makes it a unique enterprise. The passion behind it all, the love for the goats, which shows in the quality of the milk and cheese. A winding narrow road through an alpine forrest leads you to a little piece of Switzerland.

The setting comes complete with a Swiss type chalet where the cheese is made and viewed from the quaint shop stocked with the cheeses and all the goodies to accompany the cheese. Rolling lawns, trees and views all round, makes it a lovely place to stop and enjoy a cheese variety pack purchased from the shop. Families can relax whilst the young ones play with the friendly goats or enjoy the creamiest Italian Mamma Ice Cream. The goats are milked twice a day for ten months. This can be viewed daily between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm. In June and July the nannies are on Maternity Leave, having a rest before the babies are born in August.

Once a month musicians are invited to play in the open stage amphitheatre overlooking the surrounding hills. Future gigs can be viewed on our website, www.goatgigs.co.za. The mascot for our music gigs, Horny Goat, represents the funloving billygoat who peers curiously over the fence at the children playing with his babies. The openstage venue can be hired out for small weddings, as well as kids or adult parties.

On arrival, all visitors are encouraged to sample the large range of cheeses made on the farm..Tours are not part of the daily activities offered, however, can be arranged prior to the date for small groups. We are working on presenting a dvd in the cheese loft for small groups or others who maybe interested in seeing the whole process from the birth of the babies to milking and finally, the cheesemaking.

Swissland is not to be missed if you are interested in seeing a small, neat and unpretentious setup with something of interest for the whole family.

Services

• Function Facilities
• Children's Playground

Languages Spoken

• English
• Afrikaans
• Zulu

GPS Co-ordinates:

S29 24 45.1 E30 04 20.6

Take the Nottingham Road offramp from the N3 if you are coming from the North, or the Howick North/ Tweedie offramp if you are coming from the South. These will take you onto the R103.Follow the signs on the R103 to Balgowan, approx. 13 kms from Nottingham Road.

If you are coming from the North , or 20 kms from Tweedie, if you are coming from the South. The turnoff to Swissland Cheese is on the right, 4kms after Balgowan, if you are coming from Nottingham Road, or 6 km on the left, once you have passed Lidgetton, coming from the South.