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.

/1976/

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.

NEWCASTLE

 Northern Natal harbours a wealth of old buildings - residential, commercial and civic - which reflect early settler architecturte and history. For those travellers who enjoy reconstructing the past with the help of weathered bricks and mortar, this corner of Natal is very atmospheric - and is not the sort of place to rush through.
Newcastle A major centre for the production of steel and textiles. There are many battlefield in the area, hiking trails and the Fort Amiel Cultural and Historical Museum.

 

 

Carnegie Library Built on an early gallows site (that was however only used once!), the library opened in 1915 and was built with funds from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The library was converted into a museum in 1980, and is a national monument.
Newcastle Town Hall Completed in 1899 in commemoration of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, the town hall took two years to build with the clock tower erected two years later with public funds. The hall was declared a national monument in 1977.
O'Neils Cottage Situated north of Newcastle on the Volksrust road. Declared a national monument, the cottage and outbuildings have been well restored, as have the nearby military graves.

SIMON'S TOWN

 Headquarters of the South African Navy. Named after Governor Simon van der Stel and used as winter anchorage since 1741. The quaint village of Simon's Town situated on the False Bay coast a leisurely 30-minute drive from Cape Town, has managed to preserve its historic character of naval tradition and history. An ideal holiday resort with scenic walks, bird life, fishing, boating and swimming at many famous beaches ... for the complete holiday ... relax in Simon's Town. The main street, known as Historical Mile, contains 21 buildings more than 150 years old.

 Sign board * St. George Street * Statue of "Just Nuisance" * Aerial view of Simon's Town /1994/

 

Places of interest:

Able Seaman Just Nuisance: A bronze statue of the famous dog in Jubilee Square, the mascot of sailors stationed at Simonstown.
Simon's Town Museum: A large variety of exhibits showing the history of Simon's Town and its involvement with the naval port and dockyard.
Admiralty House: Built in 1740, in Cape-Dutch style.
Train Trip: The railway line follows the coastline between Simon's Town and Muizenberg and offers magnificent views.
Also: En route to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Mineral World & Topstones, SA Naval Museum, Treasure Coast Art Route,
 

SPRINGS

 Largely an industrial area, known for its wealth of gold and coal. The town boasts the HF Verwoerd Theatre, one of the few live theatres on the Witwatersrand outside the Pretoria/Johannesburg area. The Pam Brink Stadium, home of the Eastern Transvaal Rugby Union, is situated near the civic centre and seats 20 000. The modern Civic Centre is a popular venue for the performing arts.

 Springs, City Centre 1968

SPRINGS PARK Lovely park area built on a converted mine dump. Set out in lawns with a meandering rivulets and cascading waterfalls. Covered picnic spots.
ALEXANDER DAM The home of the Murray Park Yacht Club, but casual sailing is permitted. During Nov. to Feb. yachting is suspended due the weeds. Walks marked around the dam.

GERMISTON

 Mainly an industrial  town and railway junction, site of the largest gold refinery in the world. John Jack, a travelling Scot who decided to try his hand at prospecting, discovered gold with incredible ease on the farm Elandsfontein. With his partner, August Simmer, Jack bought the farm and floated a mining company called Simmer and Jack in 1887, around which the city of Germiston grew.

 President Street

 

The Illuminated Fountain in the shape of a mine headgear, in Johann Rissik Street, is one of the town's well known landmarks. Gosforth Park Race Course is an important racing venue and headquarters for the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of South Africa. The Hermann Immelman Stadium, with its tartan track, is one of the most modern sports complexes in the country, hosting a wide variety of sports.

HARTBEESPOORT DAM

 A popular recreational spot 35 km to the west of Pretoria in the Magaliesberg mountain range. This dam, covering 12 km², formed by the Crocodile and Magalies Rivers, hosts a variety of water sports and is popular amongst anglers. There are beautiful views from the road which skirts the dam and crosses the dam wall via a small tunnel. Facilities in the area include caravan and camping sites, a hotel, lodges, tea gardens. Numerous recreational resorts offer walking trails, picnic sites and sports facilities. The Cableway offers panoramic views of the whole area from the highest point in Magaliesberg. Hot air balloon flights are available; transport is provided from Johannesburg.

 Hartbeespoort Dam * Western Transvaal /1973/
The damming of the Crocodile River amidst delightful scenery in the Magaliesberg Range has created a popular inland resort some 21 miles from Pretoria.

HARTBEESPOORT ZOO AND SNAKE PARK
On shores of dam. A small zoo with variety of animals, reptiles and birds. Snake, seal and chimpanzee shows held Sundays and public holidays at 12h00 and 15h00. Visitors may take 20 minute ferry trip around dam from small jetty in the zoo.

CERES

 The most fertile deciduous fruit producing district in the Cape, surrounded by the Hex River, Witsenberg and Skurweberg mountains. Centre for the fruit-growing area of the Warmbokkeveld, the largest fruit-packing house in the southern hemisphere may be seen here. The Ceres Nature Reserve is on the main road leading from Ceres to Mitchell's Pass. Indigenous plants grow profusely. A toll house, about halfway through the pass, is a national monument. The Dwars River runs through the town, with beautiful picnic, angling and swimming areas.

 Ceres, Western Cape
One of the loveliest of inland holiday resorts, with its fruit farms, pools, old Toll House in Mitchell's pass, and winter snows for skiing.

 

A popular holiday resort, with warm summers and often snow in winter providing limited opportunities for winter sports. During November and December you can visit the Klondyke Cherry Farm and eat your fill of cherries.

UMHLANGA

  Up-market resort with sophisticated shopping malls, a beach with sandy stretches and rocky areas, and a paved walkaway along the beach. Trails meander through the dune forest of the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve. Umhlanga Rocks attracts holiday-makers all year round. Since its amalgamation with the luxury suburb of La Lucia, Umhlanga is something of a mini-Durban. It has a population of over 50 000 residents, numerous shopping malls, nightclubs, a variety of good restaurants.

 Umhlanga Rocks is an easy 15 minutes' driving from the Durban city centre, so is much in demand as a holiday spot. And, as with any top seaside place, all its holiday accommodation is within walking distance of the surf. The beach is long and slightly sloping with shark-netted bathing areas, lifeguards, refreshments and changing facilities. And the town's famous red-and-white lighthouse is visible the length of the beach.

KEMPTON PARK

 20 km north-east of Johannesburg, a thriving industrial centre. Jan Smuts International Airport, named after Field Marshal the Right Honourable JC Smuts, former Prime Minister and Statesman, is the principal airport in the country. International flights to five continents. The Modderfontein explosives factory, located in the municipality, serves the various gold mines in the vicinity.

CHIP FACTORY TOUR 
Demonstrates the production of potato chips, from peeling to packaging.
BLAAUWPAN DAM
In Bonaero Park. A popular dam among windsurfers. Facilities around the dam as well as a bird sanctuary.

 

Holiday Inn, Kempton Park 1620, South Africa

BREWERY TOUR
A 2-3 hour tour shows the brewing and bottling processes of beer, including a sample of the product.
DRIES NIEMANDT SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL GROUNDS
Facilities for various sports, including a golf course and a country club. A small dam with picnic and barbeque facilities. Rondavels available for special functions.

WORCESTER

 At the entrance to the Hex River Valley, surrounded by mountains that are often snow-capped in winter. The main town of the fertile Breede River Valley, notable for the production of wine and food. Scenically beautiful, it lies on the main Johannesburg - Cape Town route. Worcester has done much to assist the handicapped, including the installation of traffic lights which emit audible signals.
The Worcester Museum, housed in three historic buildings, contains fascinating exhibits. Also of interest is the former home of the artist Hugo Naudé, the old drostdy (magistrate's residence) with its fine Regency façade and the Karoo National Botanic Garden.
Hex River Pass 964m above sea level and built in 1875. A gateway to the Great Karoo, the road runs 10 km along the escarpment.

 

FRANSCHHOEK

 Originally known as 'Le Quartier Français' - the French Quarter. Between 1688 and 1690 land was apportioned to some 200 Hugenots who fled persecution in France. Many had been winemakers in France and finding the cold climate of Franschhoek similar to that of France, they introduced refinements into the early industry.

HUGENOT MONUMENT
At the foot of the Franschhoek Pass and set in a formal garden with a mountain backdrop. Built to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Hugenots.
HUGENOT MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Exhibits are housed in a replica of the stately home. The museum covers the history and genealogy of the Hugenot families.

 Originally settled by the Hugenot refugees (1688) this picturesque valley of wine farms remembers its past in the impressive arched monument, its museum, and historic church.

FRANSCHHOEK PASS
From both engineering and scenic aspects, this is possibly one of the finest mountain passes in South Africa, with its views over the valley.

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.

ST LUCIA

  Lake St Lucia is the largest estuary in southern Africa. It covers some 36 000 ha. And this huge expanse of water is a nature lover's paradise. Surrounded by rare coastal forest, lily-covered pans, grasslands teeming with reedbuck and unspoilt beaches. The lake was proclaimed as a game reserve in 1895 to protect the hippo, and hundreds of these great beasts still live in its shallow waters.

The attractions of the vast lake and scenic estuary with its game reserves, hutted camps, caravan parks... and crocodiles and hippos - together with prolific bird life, and abundant fishing.

St Lucia invites visitors to sample a whole spectrum of wilderness treats: like birdwatching, skindiving, game viewing, beach exploring, hiking, or just sitting and listening to the call of the Fish Eagle as the sun sets... Situated at the mouth of the estuary is the bustling village of St Lucia.

 

 

BEAUFORT WEST

 Beaufort West, also known as the "Oasis of the Karoo', is situated on the N1. The hospitable shade of the town's pear trees offers a cool welcome after a long, journey through the Karoo. Beaufort West is often referred to as the capital of the Karoo. It is the seat of a number of government organisations and also serves a prosperous sheep and stud horse farming community. Life in town, with its old irrigation-furrows running along the main street, is as tranquil as it was over the past century and a half. Lovely historic buildings contribute to its old world charm. The district is well known for the breathtaking beauty of its veld flowers in spring.

 Museum Complex, in Donkin Street, comprises a group of historical buildings. The Stadhuis (1867) was the first city hall built in the Karoo. The town's most famous son, heart surgeon Chris Barnard is honoured with permanent exhibition in this impressive building. The Sendingkerk (1872), the second member of the complex, features the town's church history as well as fashions from yesteryear. The third member of the complex, the old Sendingpastorie, was the birthplace of the famous Barnard brothers.

KIMBERLEY

DIAMOND CITY

South Africa leads in world gemstone production. Kimberley is the diamond centre of the world.  In 1866, an unusual 'pebble' was found near Kimberley on the banks of the Orange River. The discovery precipitated the world's greatest diamond rush - and changed the course of history. Today, Kimberley is a modern city with broad, tree-lined streets, comfortable hotels and busy shopping centres. But the extraordinary saga of its past seems ever-present, enveloping it in an aura of adventure and drama. If you close your eyes, it's easy to conjure up a picture of the diggers, loafers, gamblers and 'ladies' of ill repute who once inhabited the dusty shanty town. 

The diamond sieve statue in the Civic Centre Gardens depicts the diggers of the early days; with the Oppenheimer Building

The Digger's Fountain commemorates the contribution made by thousands of diggers whom toiled on the mines. Despite the fact that the mines are approaching the end of their lives, the name "Kimberley" will always be synonymous  with diamonds. In the words of former De Beers Chairman, Mr Harry Oppenheimer, 'the city will  remain the capital of the world's diamond industry, even when all the mines around it are silent relics like the Big Hole'.

BOKSBURG

 Within a major gold producing area, this town grew around the gold mining industry.  Also a large coal producing area. Boksburg Lake, created in 1888 as a watering place for cattle, is now a major attraction. It has good sailing and recreational facilities, surrounded by terraces, lawns and trees. Also Artists in the Sun, tribal dancing, pipe band and a miniature train. Cinderella Dam offers yachting and windsurfing. Flea Market held on the first Saturday of each month in front of the Boksburg Civic Centre. Besides a variety of items on sale, numerous food stalls and entertainment available. 

Boksburg from the air. Yachtings on the Cinderella Dam. Boksburg Lake. A view from the Townhall Gardens. Progressive Industries.

Hechter Schultz Museum houses ethnographical collections of Southern Bantu. Also extensive collection of Bushmen beadwork and hunting equipment. North Rand Road (Road was built by Italian prisoners of war): Warehouse Disco; Hypermarket Complex - largest shopping complex in the southern hemisphere;  La Grange Bird Park; Fun Factory - incorporates an ice-rink, ten-pin bowling centre and Daytona 600 Grand Prix track.

PORT ELIZABETH

 Only a few minutes away from the city centre, the beaches on the long graceful sweep of Algoa Bay provide unlimited opportunities throughout the year for swimming, rock and surf angling, deep sea fishing, boating, surfing and diving. The yachting fraternity tends to gravitate to Hobie Beach and the placid waters of the Swartkops River. The historic heart of the city and traditional gathering and bartering place. Trading still takes place here at the flea market on Saturday mornings. The impressive city hall dates from 1858. Steam train enthusiasts come from afar to ride on the Apple Express which runs from Port Elizabeth on a narrow gauge (610 mm) railway line to the fruit-growing valley of the Long Kloof.

Views of beach front and main beaches. Yachts sailing past beach front 

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

BENONI

Gold was discover here in 1887. One of the most pleasant of the industrialised East Rand towns, with many parks, trees and open spaces. A series of lakes in the area offer variety of recreational facilities.

BUNNY PARK Children's park, 18 ha in extent, with a variety of farmyard animals and pets. Well-equipped playground, thatched rondavels, picnic and barbeque facilities.

FLEA MARKET Covered parking area, Civic Centre. Held on the last Saturday of each month. Many colourful stalls with a variety of handcrafts and homemade eats for sale.

Fountain at west entrance. Prince's Avenue. Town Hall.

 

LANE OF FAME Honours present and former residents who have brought publicity to the town, people who have rendered meritorious service and famous visitors. 

SPORT AND RECREATION Kleinfontein Lake is a popular fishing and boating venue. Danie Taljaard Park on the northern shore of the lake offers a well-developed recreation area with braai facilities, playground equipment and a 'lapa' which may be hired. Rynfield Dam, situated at CR Swart Park, is a venue reserved for speedboat and water-ski enthusiasts. Middle and Civic Lakes, close to Civic Centre, offer good angling opportunities. All the lakes have pleasant picnic 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.