Bethulie, Xhariep Region
Bethulie, or the town of many names - from the time of its founding in 1872 it has been called Caledon, Verhuellpolis, Heidelberg and Bethulie - may lie off the beaten track and barely defie the definition of 'rustic', but it is also full of historical sites, nature reserves and some drop-dead scenery.
Bethulie lies in the southern reaches of the Free State more or less on the northern banks of the Gariep Dam, 90 minutes' drive south of Bloemfontein. It also lies on route 701, the route connecting Cape Town with Lesotho, and essentially the little village regards itself as something of a 'dorp', perfect for 'time out' away from it all with some modern twists, such as the walking route designed by Trudie Venter.
The 'dorp' hasn't become the place of choice with some artists for nothing, and already Gautengers, Capetonians, Durbanites and even visitors from further afield have begun snapping up second homes here.
Bethulie started out as a mission station in 1829 and during the Boer War was the place of one of the largest concentration camps run by the British - the site remains a a sad reinder of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Other historical sites worth taking in include the incredible sandstone bridge just outside town that spans the Orange River, connecting the Free State with the Eastern Cape. The Pellisier House Museum, the oldest settler-built building in the Free State and the original mission building is also worth a visit.
But it is the surrounds of Bethulie that are the real stars of the show. The area around Oviston Reserve, the Gariep Reserve and dam and Tussen-die-Riviere Reserve is quite beautiful, and, whilst there are no predesignated routes, following your nose along the roads around here and the nearby towns of Phillipstown, Aliwal North, Smithfield and Burgersdorp will not disappoint.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Oppie Koppie
Oppie Koppie is a unique home set in the koppies offering Bethulie accommodation overlooking the historical town. From here you can enjoy panoram...
Raptor Ridge Lodge
Raptor Ridge Lodge offers you comfortable bed only accommodation overlooking the Gariep Dam. Here you can enjoy nature at its finest; the lodge i...
Bethulie Guest Farm
Situated on a working farm near a pecan nut plantation, Bethulie Guest Farm offers luxury accommodation in Bethulie. The house has lovely wooden ...
Royal Hotel Bethulie
The Royal Hotel aims to offer guests the complete Bethulie experience. Highlights include musical recitals, visits to artists, stargazing and a g...
Garingboom Guest Farm
The Garingboom Guest Farm is an eco-friendly Karoo sheep farm situated in the Southern Free State.Accommodation at Garingboom Guest Farm is offer...
Things to do in the area
Pellissier House Museum
The Pellissier Museum (built in 1843), originally the home of reverend J,P Pellisier, a French missionary, now depicts the history of events and ...
Noteworthy attractions
Karoo Gariep Conservancy
Karoo is a “quenna” word meaning “dry and hard”. Gariep is also a “quenna” word meaning “big water”or river. The Karoo Gariep Concervancy is foun...
Tankwa Karoo National Park
The 80 000 hectare Tankwa Karoo National Park, proclaimed in 1986 and still in a development stage, is at present in a veld recovery phase and it...
Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
The Free State's largest nature reserve is a combination of the 36 487 ha Gariep Dam on the Orange River and an 11 237 ha game sanctuary on its n...
Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve
Lying just south east of Koffiefontein in the south western Free State, Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve on the Riet River is not usually visited e...
Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve
Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve is one of the most accessible game reserves in the Free State. Situated in Bethuli, you can get there from Bloemf...
Oviston Nature Reserve
The Oviston Nature reserve lies close to the little Karoo towns of Venterstad and Oviston roughly two hours' drive from Bloemfontein. That it is ...
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