GOLDEN GATE

 Golden Gate Highlands National Park, situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, derives its name from the brilliant, blazing shades of gold which the sun casts on its magnificent sandstone cliffs. It comprises 6 241 ha of spectacular scenery inhabited only by game indigenous to the region. Golden Gate is situated in a summer rainfall region: its summer climate is pleasantly bracing but temperatures may cool unexpectedly. Winter often clothes the mountains in snow, the plains in sleet and freezes the waterfalls.

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The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a tremendous holiday drawcard because of its superlative scenery.  

 

 

Brandwag is the main rest camp. It has facilities for tennis, snooker, table tennis and bowls. The Rhebuck Hiking Trail follows a two day route through valleys and ravines, crossing mountain streams and hills, to the summit of the mountains. Spectacular mountain scenery is the main feature of the reserve and many walks and trails enable one to enjoy this to the full. Game viewing and bird-watching are also popular pursuits. Clear mountain streams stocked with trout attract appreciative fishermen.

PARYS

 A town scenically situated on the banks of the Vaal River and much appreciated by water sports fans. Various picnic spots, resorts and facilities are found along the river and on the islands in the river. One island features a golf course which is accessible only via a suspension bridge. Here the Vaal River flows over a flat rock bed which devides the water into numerous little streams winding their way around green islands, creating a thousand and one little hideaways for the solitary anglers and the restless city soul in need of silence. Parys was given its exotic name by its surveyor who had visions of the Seine winding its way through the French capital when he contemplated his task on the banks of the Vaal. The town has remained a scenic little gem with beautiful gardens, parks and unspoilt nature spots, where silence is still audible.

BETHLEHEM

 Situated in the famous maize triangle, Bethlehem features beautiful historic sandstone buildings and excellent facilities for tourists. Established by devout Voortrekkers on the farm Pretoriuskloof in 1864. They named the town after the birthplace of Christ, and the river, which flows through the kloof, after the biblical Jordan. Bethlehem is indeed blessed with surroundings in which seasonal changes surpass each other in beauty and splendour. Verdant spring is just as magnificent as autumn when the sun warms all in shades of burnished copper. It is the most important administrative, agricultural, commercial, industrial and tourist centre in the Eastern Free State. The last Saturday of the month is the date for the regular art market on the Moederkerkplein. Bethlehem furthermore has a modern airfield and railway station.

Popular inland holiday resort - and an important grain-producing area

KROONSTAD

 Kroonstad, one of the most beautiful towns in the Northern Free State, straddles the Vals River. The town is an important agricultural, administrative and educational centre with a big business complex, modern shops and two co-ops that serve a prosperous farming community. The town was founded on 20 April 1855. It was reputedly named after horse called Kroon, which allegedly belonged to Voortrekker leader Sarel Celliers, the most revered of the town's earliest settlers. The town boasts various fine sandstone buildings, including the Old City Hall, the Old Market Square, Post Office Building and a Dutch Reformed Church.

Statue of Sarel Cilliers - Famous Voortrekker Leader
General View of Kroonstad, Die Hoofstraat
Entrance from the South

 

Kroonpark, a holiday resort on the banks of the Vals River, is one of the town's biggest assets. With its scenic willows, green lawns and colourful gardens, Kroonpark is one of the country's most attractive inland resorts. Kroonstad has been the headquarters of South African Jukskei since 1951. The town also has other excellent facilities for a variety sports, including tennis, bowls, rugby, swimming, gymnastics, skiing, yachting and angling.

HENDRIK VERWOERD DAM

The Hendrik Verwoerd Dam forms part of the massive Orange River Development Scheme, the biggest water supply scheme in Africa. The dam was officially opened in 1972. It covers an area of 374 square kilometres. The height of the dam wall  is 90,5 metres. The water is used for extensive irrigation schemes and the production of hydro-electrical power. Situated in the Ruigte Valley gorge on the borders of the Free State and Cape Province - 6 km east of Norvalspont - this dam on the mighty Orange River is the largest in South Africa, and the fourth largest on the African continent.

 

HENDRIK VERWOERD DAM: Main regulator of the waters of the Orange River, with its double curvature main arch and gravity walls, whose structure has formed this vast 374 sq. km lake

 

Hendrik Verwoerd Dam Public Resort is located to the dam wall and boasts a wonderful view of the water, islands and distant hills. A shady lawn area offers caravan and camping facilities. Sports facilities include a pool, tennis courts, a golf course, a bowling green and horses. In terms of recreation the dam is a popular venue for water sports. The Hendrik Verwoerd Dam Nature Reserve on the northern banks accommodates the largest springbok population in the country as well as other game.

SASOLBURG

Sasolburg owes its existence to the first plant established by the South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation (Sasol) for the manufacture of fuel from coal. This modern industrial town has, however, not succumbed to the beat of its sombre, grey, industrial heart. At the time of the town's establishment in 1954 town planners decided to create a green oasis by replacing the traditional  square design with curves and circles linked by parks and green belts. One of the most beautiful parks is the Highveld Garden, a lovely, tranquil garden with a wonderful variety of plants, shrubs and trees indigenous to the Highveld. A holiday resort on the banks of the Vaal River offers a variety of recreational facilities. The adjacent skating rink is reputedly the biggest in the southern hemisphere.

This industrial complex was established in 1954 in conjunction with the founding of the S.A. Coal, Oil & Gas Corporation.

 

WELKOM

Welkom, the dynamic, pulsing heart of the goldfields, is one of the few completely preplanned cities in the world. It not only features beautiful parks, green suburbs and spacious, modern business centres, but is also one of the safest cities for motorists in the world. There are no traffic lights and very few stop streets. Welkom is a fast-growing and wealthy industrial city and its inhabitants boast  the highest per capita income in the country. Welkom's citizens have an abundance of entertainment - cinemas, drive-in theatres, discos, a variety of restaurants and a library. It was transformed from barren veld into an attractive city in less than 20 years. The various mine evaporation dams and pans on the outskirts of the city attract a prolific bird life.

The Impressive City Hall Welkom Orange Free State

BLOEMFONTEIN

THE CITY OF ROSES

This judicial capital of RSA and capital of the Orange Free State, sixth largest city in South Africa, lies on the main road, rail and air links between north, south, east and west. Bloemfontein is indeed a city of many moods - the glamorous and glitzy ambience of high tech shopping centres, restaurants and theatres as well as Victorian serenity that dates back to those elegant years when the city's ladies accompanied the Prince of Wales on a stroll through the rose garden. Renowned for its excellence of educational facilities, Bloemfontein boasts academic and sporting achievements ranking among the best in the country. The city is noted for its beautiful parks and gardens. The panorama which can be seen from Naval Hill is that of a typically prosperous modern city.

 

View of Bloemfontein showing Naval Hill