Colesberg is a traveller's oasis on the main Cape Town-Johannesburg route, the N1, offering many attractive accommodation establishments. 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.

Things to do and see

1. The Kemper Museum
Colesberg has several national monuments, one of which is the Colesberg-Kemper Museum. A fine example of 19th century Karoo architecture, it originally was the Colesberg Bank and later the Standard Bank. It now houses fascinating relics of the town’s rich tapestry of history.
This museum started in 1924 when G L Kemper donated his collection of artifacts to the municipality for historic keeping, and which now belong to the Colesberg Historical Society. It has grown into a valuable local cultural history museum. Among its exhibits is a collection of fossils dating back to the first reptiles which inhabited this area and a permanent photographic display, compiled by UNISA, on the Karoo Nomads – (the donkey ‘karretjie’ people).
Among its exhibits is the Kemper Collection dating to the 1880′s, Anglo-Boer War photographs and artifacts, a 19th century toy collection, a Karoo Nomad photographic exhibition, and it allows you to relive Erasmus Jacobs’ discovery of “Eureka” at Hopetown, the first recorded diamond find in South Africa.
Many of Colesberg’s original buildings, in pristine condition, are fine examples of early Karoo architecture. The homes in the main street are typical of architecture in the farming communities dating back to the 1880’s. Simple white washed gable, with very small gardens.
The Information Office will happily organize a walking tour lasting about three hours. Learn of the approximately 40 families comprising 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-ceiling, yellowwood beamed homes where you will enjoy the uniquely Karoo architecture and warm hospitality.

2. Anglican Church
This church was built in 1854. It’s beautifully decorated and was designed by Sophia Gray. (The wife of Bishop Gray.)
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 the 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.

3. Explore the Ecology
Exploring the koppies in the area is an archaeological delight. These reveal stone-age artifacts and other interesting fragments of the past. Those who enjoy the Great Outdoors of the Great Karoo will enjoy to study the fauna and flora of in the veld around the town. Some of these hills could be walking distances from your overnight accommodation spot.

4. Hiking and Mountain-biking: Well-marked trails are open on many farms in the area. Tel: (051) 753 0678.

5. Horse Mill: Situated in Bell Street. One of the country’s last working horse mills.

6. Hunting: De Poort Tel: (051) 753 1323; Potfontein Tel: (051) 753 1426; Riverside Hunting Lodge Tel: (051) 753 1364; Toverberg Tel: (051) 753 0071; Seekoeirivier Tel: (051) 753 1378.

7. Schutz and De Jager Building Church St.: The oldest building in Colesberg.

8. Trinity Methodist Church: Established in 1840, the Methodist Society built its first chapel in Church Street. The new Trinity Methodist Church, in Durban Road, was built in 1882.

9. Visit a Farm: Many of the country’s leading merino sheep and race horses studs are in this district. These historic farms may be visited on request. There are also game farms and hunting can be arranged for those who enjoy this sport. Outdoor enthusiasts may walk or hike and bird watchers can enjoy the abundant bird life.

10. Walking Tours: Many of Colesberg’s original buildings, in pristine condition, are fine examples of early Karoo architecture. The Information Office will happily organize a walking tour lasting about three hours.

11. Water Sports Enthusiasts: The Gariep Dam attracts outdoor and water sports enthusiasts. Here the Orange River flows over a 374 sq. kilometer area. The dam holds up to 5 958,3 cubic meters of water. Its wall is 947,9 m long and 90,5 high. There a variety of water sporting events and tours of the dam wall are conducted regularly.
Learn of the approximately 40 families comprising 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-ceiling, yellowwood beamed homes where you will enjoy the uniquely Karoo architecture and warm hospitality.
Tel: (051) 753 0678.