Northern Cape Colesberg

NORTHERN CAPE ACCOMMODATION COLESBERG

COLESBERG

Colesberg is a traveler's oasis on the main Cape Town-Johannesburg route, the N1, offering many attractive accommodation establishments and entertaining, educational distractions.

The town 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 koppie is that as you travel towards it, it never seems to get nearer.

Colesberg was first inhabited by stone-age hunter-gatherers. Then by ‘trekboere' in the early 19th century. In 1814, the inhabitants set up mission station in the hopes of restoring peace to an extremely unruly area of the Cape Colony. The second mission station, called Hepzibah, attracted over 1 700 /Xam San (Bushmen). This caused great alarm among the settlers who felt unsafe and their security was threatened. In 1818 the Cape Colonial Government put an end to the mission work.

In 1820 several huge farms were established in the district and in 1822 the farmers petitioned for the establishment of a town. The Government granted 18 138 morgen of land to the people on January 27, 1830, and so Colesberg, named after Sir Lowry Cole, (Governor from 1828 to 1833), was established. 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.

Colesberg is the largest Northern Cape town on the N1, just 623km from Johannesburg and 280km south of Kimberley.

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS:

Anglican Church

Beautifully decorated, the church, designed by Sophia Gray (wife of Bishop Gray), was built in 1854.

Anglo-Boer War Tour

From November 1899 to February 1900, Colesberg was the southern front of the war. The Information Office offers a tour of Plateau Camp, Suffolk Hill, Grenadier Guard Rock, Memorial Hill and the military cemetery where more than 400 men from 20 regiments are buried. A weekend tour includes a visit to Norvalspont prisoner-of-war camp and cemetery. Tel 051 753 0678.

Colesberg Kemper Museum

Murray Str. Dating to 1861, the building was put up for Colesberg Bank, later absorbed by Standard Bank. For years the town clerk’s office, the museum contains many articles dating back to the pioneering days. It includes the Kemper Collection, Anglo-Boer War photographs and artefacts, a 19th century toy collection, a Karoo Nomad photographic exhibition and allows you to relive Erasmus Jacobs’s discovery of ‘Eureka’ at Hopetown, the first recorded diamond find in South Africa.

Doornkloof Nature Reserve

On the southeastern banks of the Vanderkloof Dam, the 9 388ha reserve features kudu, brown hyaena, mountain reedbuck, steenbok, grey duiker, bat-eared fox, aardvark and aardwolf. Wild olive, sweet thorn and karee can be seen in the ravines. It also features a 10km stretch of the Seekoei River, one of the most important tributaries of the Orange River. There is a hiking trail, an overnight hut and horse trails available. Tel 051 753 1315.

Dutch Reformed Church

Built in 1860, it dominates Church Str. The clock tower was built in 1925.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

Well-marked trails are open on many farms in the area. Tel 051 753 0678.

Horsemill

Bell Str. Now converted into a pub, is one of the country’s last, working horsemills.

Oldest Buildings

Coniston House in Ventershoek Str and the Schutz and De Jager Building in Church Str.

Trinity Methodist Church

Established in 1840, the Methodist Society built its first chapel in Church Street. The new Trinity Methodist Church, in Stockenstroom Street, was built in 1882.

Walking Tours

Many of Colesberg’s original buildings, in pristine condition, are fine examples of early Karoo architecture. The Information Office will organise a walking tour lasting about three hours. Learn of the Karoo Nomads, get a grasp of local history, revisit the past in the old cemetery, and visit the town’s churches and many of its original reed-ceilinged, yellowwood beamed homes where you will enjoy a unique Karoo architecture. Tel 051 753 0678.

TOURIST INFORMATION:

Information Office Murray Str

Colesberg 9795

Tel 051 753 0678

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ACCOMMODATION IN COLESBERG

The Barracks Guesthouse

A Four Star, AA "Superior", Full Service Guest House situated in a quiet area of Colesberg. The Barracks (so named as the property was used as barracks during the Anglo-Boer War) was built in 1851 and substantially renovated in 2004. The original building, which is now our family unit, was soon augmented by the main house as the owner, David Arnot, was a prolific breeder of children and needed plenty of accommodation to house his large family.