Colesberg

Colesberg is a travelers oasis on the main Cape Town-Johanne

Colesberg is a travelers oasis on the main Cape Town-Johannesburg route, the N1, offering many attractive accommodation establishments and entertaining, educational distractions. Colesberg lies in typical Karoo veld and is surrounded by koppies (little hills). The most famous is Coleskop, which can be seen from a distance of over 40km.

Early travellers called it "Towerberg" that translates into "Magic Mountain". The curious thing about this Colesberg koppie is that as you travel towards it, it never seems to get nearer.

In a sheep-farming area spread over half-a-million hectares, greater Colesberg breeds many of the country’s top merinos. It is also renowned for producing high-quality racehorses and many stud farms, including one owned by legendary golfer, Gary Player, are nearby.

The first people to inhabit the Colesberg district were Stone Age hunter gatherers. They were followed in the early 19^th century by the missionaries. In 1814 a mission station was established here in the hope of bringing peace to what was a very unruly frontier area of the Cape Colony. The town was founded in 1830 and named after Sir Lowry Cole, Governor of the Cape Colony (1828 – 1833). The town is surrounded by koppies and Coleskop can be seen from a distance of more than 40 km. The koppie is also known as ‘Towerberg’ because the traveler can see it from miles away, but never seems to get near it. Coleskop was an important landmark for early travelers making their way into the unknown interior of Southern Africa. For many travelers, Colesberg provides a convenient halfway stopover between Cape Town and Johannesburg

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Beaufort West 318 km, Bloemfontein 226 km, Cape Town 779 km, Durban 880 km, East London 518 km, Kimberley 292 km, Port Elizabeth 454 km, Towns within 100 km Colesberg, Bethulie, Gariep Dam, Hanover, Noupoort, Petrusville, Phillippolis, Venterstad.

Altitude: 1707 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 350 mm per annum

Average Temperatures

Summer Day 30°c – 35°c, Night 16°c – 18°c; Winter Day 14°c – 20°c, Night 5°c – 4°c

Banks

ABSA (ATM), FNB (ATM), Standard (ATM)

Dams – Gariep

Rivers – Orange

HISTORICAL VIEW

Anglo Boer War

In November 1899 the Boers moved across the Orange River and occupied Colesberg. The area was declared a part of the Orange Free State. General John French, who was responsible for all British military operations in the region, was ordered to employ his forces to protect the railway line, push the Boers out of the district and prevent further Boer advances into the Cape Colony. Battles between Boer and Brit raged around the Colesberg district until 28^th February 1900 when the British marched into Colesberg. There is a military cemetery in the town and several of the battle sites, camp sites and interesting relics from this period can still be seen in the district. Guided tours are offered to Plateau Camp, Suffolk Hill, Grenadier Guard Rock, Memorial Hill and the cemetery where over 400 men representing 20 different regiments are buried. Weekend tours include a visit to the prisoner of war camp and cemetery at Norvalspont. It is interesting to note that is was the same General John French who relieved Kimberley on 15 February 1900. In his approach on Kimberley French proved the value of cavalry in this type of warfare. During the course of the war the British were to use 350 000 horses.

Bell Street

Worth exploring for the lovely Karoo Tuishuisie )1860 – 1870). Fine examples of Karoo Architecture and the old horse mill, which is now an English Pub.

Church of the Province (1848)

Designed by Lady Grey, wife of the first Bishop of Cape Town

Colesberg Kemper Museum

Displays fascinating relics from the town’s rich and varied history and houses the Karoo Nomad Photographical Exhibition (compiled by UNISA). Other exhibits include Anglo Boer War artifacts and photographs and a 19^th century toy collection.

Conniston House (1835)

Where Lord Locke stayed when he discussed the Swaziland question with President Kruger.

Dutch Reformed Church

Built in 1863, its white walls dominate Church Street. The clock tower was built in 1926.

Methodist Chuch (1882)

Established in 1840, the Methodist Society built it’s first chapel in Church Street. The new Trinity Methodist Church, in Durban Road, was built in 1882.

Norvalspont

The concentration camp where Boer men, women and children were imprisoned between 1901 and 1902 is located in this area.

Reformed Church (1862)

The oldest Reformed Church building still in use.

Skutzs and De Jager Building

The oldest building in Colesberg

Wrought Iron Museum

Commemorates the 60^th year of Queen Vicroria’s reign. Arrange a visit to archaeological sites with evidence of the Stone Age and San people (Bushmen).

HISTORIC WALKING TOURS

1.  

   1. Time up to 1 hour. Guided Tour of the museum which includes Stone Age artifacts. The Kemper collection dating back to the 1880’s. Anglo Boer War photographs and artifacts. A 19^th century toy collection, Karoo Nomad photographic exhibition. The story of the discovery of the Eureka diamond in 1867.

   2. Time up to 3 hours. Guided tour through town walking to by bus includes Museum 45 minutes. Local History – Karoo Nomade Churches 30 minutes. Architecture 1 hour exteriors and interiors of buildings. Old Cemetery 30 minutes. Special focus on historical characters and events when requested – e.g. The Ortelepp family. Tea at old horse mill.

   3. (i) Tour of Anglo Boer war sites includes the following Introduction – At Museum. Kloof Camp 1 hour (Walk 1 – 2 km). Suffolk Hill 1 hour (Walk approximately 2 km). Military Cemetery 30 minutes. (Time approximately 4 hours)

(ii) All Day tour includes the following Introduction – At Museum. Plateau Camp 1 hour. Suffolk Hill 1 hour. Military Cemetery 30 minutes. Grenadier Guard rock 30 minutes. Memorial Hill on Yardley Farm 2 hours. Lunch 1 hour. (Time 6 – 7 hours).

(iii) Weekend Tour First Day – same as day tour. Second Day – Tour to Norvals Pont concentration camp cemetery. Lunch at historical farm Vanwyksfontein. (Time approximately 5 hours).

NATURE

Doornkloof Nature Reserve

Situated on the southeastern banks of the Vanderkloof Dam, the reserve features game such as kudu, brown hyena, mountain reedbuck, steenbok, grey duiker, bat eared fox, aardvark and aardwolf. Wild olive, sweet thorn and karee can be seen in the ravines. The reserve also features walking trails and a 10 km stretch of the Seekoei River, one of the most important tributaries of the Orange River.

Gariep Dam

The Gariep Dam on the Orange River covers over 374 km² and can hold up to 5958,3 million cubic metres of water.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Golf Centenary – April

Sheep Festival – October

Eenboom Country Farm Stall & Rabbitry

Visit for a tour of the rabbitry or just to buy an exquisitely soft Angora rabbit jersey for the winter.

Game Farm Tours

Merino Sheep Farm Tours

Race Horse Farm Tours

Seekoei River Farm Holidays

Tour of Gariep Dam

Introduction and slide show providing insight into the history and working of the dam. Tour of the wall.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails

Karoo Hiking Trail

Seekoeirivier

Distance / Duration 2 – 3 days / 16 – 36 km

Day walk of 7 km. Toverberg

Hunting

De Poort, Potfontein, Riverside Hunting Lodge, Toverberg, Seekoeirivier, Ventersfontein and Homelands.

WHERE TO STAY

Guinea Fowl Guest House (Colesberg)

The guest house is located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in a restful garden. All rooms with en suite bathrooms and outside doors. Coffee making facilities in every room. TV in the comfortable lounge. The nearest restaurant is only a 200 m stroll away.

Accommodation in and around Colesberg