CHRISTIANA

Christiana is a friendly little town on the green banks of the Vaal River. It features a holiday resort with camping and ablution facilities, excellent water sports facilities, a modern water chute and a 30 km stretch of navigable water. A boom town for a while after diamonds were discovered in 1870. Relics and photographs of that area are displayed in a restaurant of a nearby mineral spa.

 

 

The Mineral Spa situated 3 kms north of the town is a popular holiday resort offering accommodation in fully equipped chalets and luxury rooms. The resort on the banks  of the Vaal River also features heated private and mineral pools, a swimming pool, restaurant, shop and a range of recreational facilities, including mini golf, bowls, tennis, angling and boating. The resort features a game reserve with species such as white rhino, gemsbok, eland and red hartebeest.

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.

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.

 

VEREENIGING

A well endowed industrial town, rich in coal, forming part of the largest industrial complex in Africa. 58 km from Johannesburg, Vereeniging is also a popular resort situated on the northern banks of the Vaal River, with three smaller rivers within its municipal boundaries. The area is of significance to palaeontologists as it is a known abode of prehistoric man. A number of stone age rock engravings may be seen at Redan on the outskirts of the town.

 

VEREENIGING, Southern Transvaal  Situated on the northern bank of the Vaal River, this town associated with the peace treaty and link up of the railway line between south and north - lives up to its motto "Per pacem ad industriam - Through Peace to Industry".

 

VAAL RIVER AND DAM A popular recreational area for the Witwatersrand. The dam is deep and wide, and free of bilharzia. The willow-lined river banks provide many picnic and camping sites. Excellent water sports, especially water-skiing and motor boating, with good fishing opportunities. Numerous recreational resorts in the area.