Graaff-Reinet

Graaff-Reinet is a town in Karoo Heartland.

Graaff-Reinet was established in 1786 and is the 4th oldest town in South Africa and the oldest town in the Eastern Cape Province. It was established to bring law & order, religion and education to the many Dutch farmers on the Eastern Frontier. It was named after the then Dutch East Indian Company Governor of the Cape, Cornelius Jacob van der Graaff, and his wife Cornelia, whose maiden name was Reinet. The town is renowned for its architectural heritage and at 220 sites, has more national monuments than any other town in South Africa. It was once one of the largest centres in the Cape Colony, as it was on the direct route to the minefields of the interior. Today it still functions as an important farming centre with the raising of Merino sheep, Angora goats, ostriches and game being the main activities in this area of the eastern Great Karoo. It is also well known for the nearby Valley of Desolation, which today forms part of the newly established Camdeboo National Park of about 15,000 ha.

The old town centre architecture is well-preserved and you can actually feel the Karoo-atmosphere there.

• Graaff - Reinet, +27 49 892-4248. Graaff-Reinet is the oldest town in this area, known as the ‘Athens’ of the Eastern Cape, and is recognized as the home of magnificent examples of Karoo architecture and over 220 heritage sites, more than any other town in South Africa. Another unique characteristic of the town to look out for is one of the largest grape vines in the world, which was planted in 1870. The town lies on the banks of the Sundays River and is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park.
• Dutch Reformed Church, +27 49 892-4248. Designed to resemble the neo-gothic lines of England’s Salisbury Cathedral, this is considered to be the finest church of its kind in the country.
• Hester Rupert Art Museum, +27 49 892-4248. A former activity centre, school and mission church, this building was once saved from demolition by the Rembrandt Corporation and was named after the mother of Anton Rupert, who was the head of the corporation at that time.
• Hugenot National Heritage Site, +27 49 892-4248. This National Heritage Site marks the arrival of the French Huguenots of South Africa, who form an indelible part of history.
• Jan Rupert Centre, +27 49 892-4248. The centre, which started out as a mission church, now houses the Pierneef Art collection.
• Nqweba Dam, +27 49 892-4248. The Nqweba Dam forms part of the Camdeboo National Park and is famed for being the home of a rich variety of birdlife and offers sunset boat cruises.
• Old Jail, +27 49 892-4248. The jail, situated on the banks of the Sundays River was built in 1861. One of its many inmates was Anna Rabie, the last South African woman who was publicly executed.
• Old Library Museum, +27 49 892-4248. Visit the museum and allow yourself to get lost in the costume collections, reproductions of San artwork and art exhibits including the Robert Sobukwe photographic exhibition and fossil collections.
• Pyramid, +27 49 892-4248. The Pyramid, situated on Magazine Hill, pays tribute to the forming of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
• St James Church, +27 49 892-4248. This beautiful building, erected in 1850, is the oldest original church still in use in the town.
• Valley of Desolation, +27 49 892-4248. The geological phenomenon of the Valley of Desolation, declared a National Heritage Site, lies within the Camdeboo National Park. The Valley was formed millions of years ago by weathering erosion, creating a type of oasis in the midst of the aridness of the Karoo. The diversity of the fauna and flora is incredible and attracts over 220 species of bird, is home to 336 plants and 43 types of mammal.
• War Memorial, +27 49 892-4248. The War Memorial, erected in 1918, features a great bronze angel that stands guard over the names of the men from Graaff-Reinet that died during World War I.

Graaff - Reinet, +27 49 892-4248. Graaff-Reinet is the oldest town in this area, known as the ‘Athens’ of the Eastern Cape, and is recognized as the home of magnificent examples of Karoo architecture and over 220 heritage sites, more than any other town in South Africa. Another unique characteristic of the town to look out for is one of the largest grape vines in the world, which was planted in 1870. The town lies on the banks of the Sundays River and is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park.

Dutch Reformed Church, +27 49 892-4248. Designed to resemble the neo-gothic lines of England’s Salisbury Cathedral, this is considered to be the finest church of its kind in the country.

Hester Rupert Art Museum, +27 49 892-4248. A former activity centre, school and mission church, this building was once saved from demolition by the Rembrandt Corporation and was named after the mother of Anton Rupert, who was the head of the corporation at that time.

Hugenot National Heritage Site, +27 49 892-4248. This National Heritage Site marks the arrival of the French Huguenots of South Africa, who form an indelible part of history.

Jan Rupert Centre, +27 49 892-4248. The centre, which started out as a mission church, now houses the Pierneef Art collection.

Nqweba Dam, +27 49 892-4248. The Nqweba Dam forms part of the Camdeboo National Park and is famed for being the home of a rich variety of birdlife and offers sunset boat cruises.

Old Jail, +27 49 892-4248. The jail, situated on the banks of the Sundays River was built in 1861. One of its many inmates was Anna Rabie, the last South African woman who was publicly executed.

Old Library Museum, +27 49 892-4248. Visit the museum and allow yourself to get lost in the costume collections, reproductions of San artwork and art exhibits including the Robert Sobukwe photographic exhibition and fossil collections.

Pyramid, +27 49 892-4248. The Pyramid, situated on Magazine Hill, pays tribute to the forming of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

St James Church, +27 49 892-4248. This beautiful building, erected in 1850, is the oldest original church still in use in the town.

Valley of Desolation, +27 49 892-4248. The geological phenomenon of the Valley of Desolation, declared a National Heritage Site, lies within the Camdeboo National Park. The Valley was formed millions of years ago by weathering erosion, creating a type of oasis in the midst of the aridness of the Karoo. The diversity of the fauna and flora is incredible and attracts over 220 species of bird, is home to 336 plants and 43 types of mammal.

War Memorial, +27 49 892-4248. The War Memorial, erected in 1918, features a great bronze angel that stands guard over the names of the men from Graaff-Reinet that died during World War I.

• Walk around to explore the town centre. Go into one of the restaurants to get a feeling for the old furniture and the way the people must have lived once upon a time.
• Visit the Valley of Desolation, +27 49 892-3453. The Valley of Desolation is found at the top of Camdeboo National Park, where breathtaking cliffs and columns of rock make a haven for dozens of kinds of birds. There is a steep, curving drive to the top of the mountain, with an incredible view of the area. The dry Karoo air means the view is not the least bit hazy. Best go at sundown as the shadows stretch out over the landscape. There is a 45-min hiking trail at the top, and other, longer trails within the park. R48 per adult per day (discount for South African and SADC residents).
• Reinet House Museum - the most visited museum in the East Cape
• Hester Rupert Art museum - contemporary South African Art
• Pierneef Art Museum
• The Old Residensie Museum - firearm and war museum
• Urquart House Museum.

Visit the Valley of Desolation, +27 49 892-3453. The Valley of Desolation is found at the top of Camdeboo National Park, where breathtaking cliffs and columns of rock make a haven for dozens of kinds of birds. There is a steep, curving drive to the top of the mountain, with an incredible view of the area. The dry Karoo air means the view is not the least bit hazy. Best go at sundown as the shadows stretch out over the landscape. There is a 45-min hiking trail at the top, and other, longer trails within the park. R48 per adult per day (discount for South African and SADC residents).

Most shops are located in Church and Caledon Streets around the Dutch Reformed Church which is in the center of town. On the corner of Parsonage and Church Streets are two little shops called Out of Africa and African Adventure which are both jam-packed with all kinds of curios. McNaughton's Bookshop near to Absa Bank in Church Street has a wide selection of tourist maps, guide books and general information about the area. They also carry a large range of new books with some Africana.

• Gordon's Restaurant, 100 Cradock St, +27 49 892-4575.
• The Coldstream Restaurant on the eastern side of the church in the centre of the town
• The Coral Tree in Somerset Street one block west of Church Street.
• The Wimpy near to Spar in Caledon Street serves a great breakfast.

Gordon's Restaurant, 100 Cradock St, +27 49 892-4575.

• Get someone to sign you in at the Graaff-Reinet Club next to the Coldstream Restaurant. It is the oldest watering hole in the town and filled with all kinds of interesting collections like historical weapons, caricatures of previous members and even has bullet holes in the bar counter dating from the Anglo-Boer War. Ask for Terrance Gush (usually behind the bar) to tell you all about it.
• Agave Silver or Gold - produced in the district in the only distillery outside Mexico to produce alcohol from the agave plant
• Withond (White Dog) - a local variation of Witblits (White Lightning) or Moonshine produced by special license on the premises of Reinet House Museum
• Karoo Cabernet - (Brandy & Coke) the closest thing locals know to red wine
• Pioneers Restaurant, 3 Parsonage St (Near the Reinet House. This immensely pleasing restaurant located in the historic Parsonage Street is part of the town's history., +27 49 892-6059. A la carte menu, cosy pub, beergarden. Excellent food, plenty of it, old favourites and some interesting surprises on the menu, and friendly and efficient service. Pioneers offers great value for money.

Pioneers Restaurant, 3 Parsonage St (Near the Reinet House. This immensely pleasing restaurant located in the historic Parsonage Street is part of the town's history., +27 49 892-6059. A la carte menu, cosy pub, beergarden. Excellent food, plenty of it, old favourites and some interesting surprises on the menu, and friendly and efficient service. Pioneers offers great value for money.

• The Camdeboo National Park and Valley of Desolation, 14km outside town offers hiking, wildlife (a wide variety of Antelope, Mountain Zebra, Buffalo) and great birdwatching near the dam.
• Visit Karoo Connections at 7 Church Street for a range of 1/2 and full day tour options including an interesting Township Tour, a Historical Town Tour and the Valley of Desolation Tour which is a must.Their contact telephone number is 049-8923978
• Go paragliding or microlight aircraft flying.
• Visit the Mountain Zebra National Park that is not too far away.
• Visit Nieu-Bethesda (53 km from Graaff-Reinet) with the Owl House, Fossil Interpretation Centre, Craft and coffee shops, art centres, Ganora excursions.
• The Agave Distillery
• A historic Karoo Farm
• Kalkop Meteorite Crater