Riversdale was founded in 1838 and named after Harry Rivers, a local government official. It is situated on the busy N2 Highway leading to the Garden Route.
It was the home of the artist J.E.A Volschenk, the first native born South African landscape painter. Several of Volschenks paintings, and a number of works by other South African artist, can be viewed in the Juluis Gordon African Collection located in Versfeld House.
For the Africana enthusiast there are many fine pieces of old furniture exhibited in museums as well as many old buildings and residences dating back to the early inhabitants.
The town offers a fine mixture between modern day conveniences and olden day peacefulness and is well worth a stay over. It boasts with many fine schools, churches, hotels and bed & breakfast accommodation for the weary traveler.
Hiking trails of various distances could be found here and is a must for the hiker and bird watchers.
