Barkly West was one of the first towns to be affected by the diamond rush after the discovery of diamonds at Klipdrift on the Vaal River in 1869. The district’s economy is now driven by stock and irrigation farming, large scale dairy farming and mining.
Renowned writer Sarah Gertrude Millin grew up in the district.
- View the still-in-use Barkly Bridge (1885) that crosses over the Vaal River.
- Visit Canteen Koppie where alluvial diamond diggings revealed many archeological sites along the Vaal River. This is one of the most exceptional and was proclaimed a national monument in 1948. Many artifacts found here point to human occupation in prehistoric times.
- Explore the Mining Museum that has stones, artifacts, fossils and geological specimens on display.
- Investigate the 400- odd rock etchings at Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre which is a mere 21km from Barkly West
The area was renamed Barkly West in 1873 after becoming part of the Crown Colony of Griqualand West.
