Free State provincial article - South African Vacations

ART AND CRAFTS
Art and Crafts Route: The town is one of the stops on the Goldfields Art Route. Weaving is
one of the crafts practised in this area.
CUISINE
Cheese factory: Five different kinds of cheese are made on the farm Welgeluk, namely
Gouda, Pepper Gouda, Garlic Gouda, Feta and low-fat cheese. Visit, taste and buy by
appointment.
Goldfields Wine Cellar: Wine can be sampled at the Goldfields Wine Cellar; the only
privately owned country estate wine cellar in the Northern Free State. Ask to see its
interesting cycad collection before you leave. This collection contains 29 of the 31 South
African varieties of cycad found in the country.
Mushrooms: Mushrooms are cultivated on Geluksfontein, a farm in the district. Make an
appointment to see the farm and sample their lovely delicacies.
FAUNA AND FLORA
Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve: The Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve lies in the grassveld and
vlei (marsh) region of the Free State about 18 km east of Theunissen. Beautiful karee and
wild olive trees grow along the ridges of the reserve. The turn-off to the reserve lies just off
the Theunissen-Winburg Road. Animals such as mountain reedbuck, red hartebeest and
zebra can be easily spotted in the open grass savannah. The reserve also has many
different species of terrestrial and aquatic birds and waterfowl, such as South African
shellduck and Egyptian geese. Accommodation consists of a caravan park with power
points for some of the sites, as well as a bush camp with five tents (2 beds per tent). All the
tents have power points and lights. Both the caravan park and the bush camp have
adequate ablution facilities. The dam in the reserve is home to several species of fish, such
as yellowfish, carp, barbel and Orange River mudfish. Angling is one of the most popular
activities in the reserve but visitors can also participate in other water sports, such as
skiing, canoeing, paragliding and windsurfing.
Tweefontein Nature Reserve and Game Farm: The farm is situated approximately 7 km
from the town. Game viewing and hunting, as well as birdwatching are offered. Game
species include the usual antelope and buck, as well as zebra, lion and giraffe.
Accommodation ranges from luxury log cabins, a bush camp for those who want to “rough”
it and a 100 year-old house that has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Wild dogs
are successfully being bred at the reserve.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
Great Trek Monument: The Great Trek Monument is in the centre of town.
Paardenvallei Farm Museum: The Paardenvallei Farm Museum has a unique private
collection of antique furniture, books, Anglo-Boer War memorabilia and many other items of
antique and historic value. The owner of the farm has dedicated her life to recording the
history of her family and of other Afrikaans families in the district and of the farm on which
she lives. The farm is situated near the site of the Battle of Vet River and is one of only a
few farms and homesteads that were not burnt down by the British. Instead, the house was
used as a supply depot and hospital during the war. The graves of several British soldiers,
some trenches and the foundations of blockhouses erected by the British can still be seen
on the farm.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Mine Tours: Several of the old gold mines in the area offer underground tours.
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