Things To Do In Graaff-Reinet In Winter
Winter wanderings await in our quaint Karoo town… The Karoo settles into something slower in winter. The light changes; not golden, but clean and pale, smoke curls from chimneys in the mornings and evenings and window panes frost over in the night. It’s the kind of season that makes you want to linger longer in museums, talk to strangers in shops, and order something warm at every stop. Graaff-Reinet, cradled by the horseshoe bend of the Sundays River and watched over by stone spires and plains, lends itself to this slower winter pace. Here are a few things to do in Graaff-Reinet in winter, when the days are short and the evenings call for something slow-cooked! Settling In There’s a kind of quiet luxury in staying put, and winter gives you permission to do just that. At the Drostdy Hotel, you don’t have to chase the day – everything you need is already here. Sink into the warmth of a treatment at the Africology Spa, browse our shelves and walls in the library or art gallery or taste wine in the Wijnkamer, where rare bottles wait to be uncorked without ceremony. Our rooms, many set in restored heritage homes, are thick-walled and comforting; especially after a slow dinner at De Camdeboo Restaurant, where the food draws deeply from generations of perfected home cooking. Think: Slow-cooked lamb, crusty bread and rich malva – all the good things for cold weather! Now that we’ve gotten you settled in, let’s see what else awaits in town. Things To Do In Graaff-Reinet in Winter Visit Reinet House The Graaff-Reinet Museum – or Reinet House – is a fantastic spot to visit in winter. The wooden floors creak underfoot, and the smell of polish and dust reminds you of just how long this building has been around. It once served as a Dutch Reformed Church parsonage, but is now home to a number of museum exhibits. Walk through slowly. Read the plaques and descriptions. Let the silence do most of the work. Visit The Valley Of Desolation In winter, the stark light makes these famous cliffs and crags look even more majestic and imposing. You might find yourself alone at the viewpoint, watching the dolerite columns reach skyward from the Camdeboo plains. Bring a thermos. Sit a while. The best time is late afternoon when the light comes in sideways and long-legged shadows fall across the valley. There’s nothing quite like the stillness of high ground in the off-season. Step Into Art While most art scenes contain an element of glamour, Graaff-Reinet’s art scene is set apart by its sincerity. The Hester Rupert Art Museum is housed in one of the oldest church buildings in South Africa! Inside, you’ll find works by South African artists that speak of place, politics, and the small things in between. Elsewhere in town, local galleries offer ceramics, photography and crocheted blankets made with love. Walk without a plan. You’ll find something. Eat From The Pantry Winter belongs to slow food. Roosterkoek still warm from the flames, lamb stew heavy with rosemary, thick-cut bread, red wine that warms you from the inside out. Stop at one of the delis in town to buy staples for your pantry – jams, pies, rusks and biltong. And back at Drostdy Hotel, the menu leans into what the season does best: Comfort, depth, and flavour without fuss. A seat by the fireplace doesn’t hurt either… Marvel At The Milky Way There are fewer sounds at night in Graaff-Reinet than in the city. This makes it easier to hear the owls, or nothing at all. If you head just beyond the last streetlight, the stars take over. No telescope needed – just a scarf, a heavy duty winter jacket and a stargazing app. (If you want to identify constellations.) You could drive a little way outside of town for less light pollution if you prefer. Otherwise, our hotel’s garden will do just fine. Visit Graaff-Reinet’s New Fossil Centre Did you know that the Karoo region holds the longest and most complete fossil timeline on Earth, stretching back to long before the dinosaurs? You can learn more about prehistoric times at our town’s newest museum, Karoo Origins: The Fossil Centre, just across the road from Drostdy Hotel. Inside you’ll discover everything from the world-famous Rubidge Fossil Collection to the ancestors of tortoises and lizards and the earliest mammal-like reptiles that eventually gave rise to us! This is an interactive and eye-opening experience for all ages, offering a rare chance to connect with the deep history of this extraordinary landscape. For even more on winter stays in Graaff-Reinet, read one of our other blog posts titled Your Winter Stay At The Drostdy Hotel. Image Credit: Instagram | karoooriginstfc Stay With Us This Winter The historic Drostdy Hotel is stitched into the fabric of Graaff-Reinet. Our rooms have thick walls that hold the warmth – with cosy finishes that make staying in the main event! Whether you’ve come for museums, meals, or the silence of open space, you’ll find the best things to do in Graaff-Reinet close to your front door when you stay with us. Browse our stay options here and secure your dates using our online booking platform. Alternatively, for a more personal touch, feel free to email our friendly reservations team at reservations@drostdy.co.za, who would be more than happy to assist you with the booking process! We look forward to welcoming you and yours to Graaff-Reinet this winter.
10 Unique Activities in Graaff-Reinet
10 Unique Activities in Graaff-Reinet | Drostdy Blog As the oldest town in the Eastern Cape and the fourth oldest town in South Africa, Graaff-Reinet is steeped in history. With more than 220 listed heritage sites, some might even say that South Africa’s very story is written across the face of our picturesque Karoo town. While the area surrounding Graaff-Reinet has long been inhabited by the Khoisan peoples of South Africa, the town itself was founded in 1786. It was named after the then-governor of the Cape Colony, Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Cornelia Reinet – their surnames side-by-side ever since. Here is our round up of 10 Unique Activities in Graaff-Reinet to keep you enthralled during your stay at Drostdy Hotel! But First… The Tourism Office should be your first port of call when visiting Graaff-Reinet (17 Church Street). Located in the Old Library Museum, it’s here where you’ll be able to pick up a walking map of town, purchase passes to various museums, view inspiring artwork from the area and find out what’s happening in town during your stay. 10 Unique Activities in Graaff-Reinet The Valley of Desolation Activity: Watch the sunriseLocated in the Camdeboo National Park, the Valley of Desolation’s lookout point is only 14 km from Drostdy Hotel. Towering cliffs and striking columns of Dolerite rock rise from the valley floor, commanding attention as they reach heights of 120 metres or more.This landscape was shaped over the span of 100 million years. For those who love putting things into perspective, this is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise with a flask of coffee. Museums Activity: Meander about and take in our town’s rich culture and historyStep back through time and visit one of the many engaging museums in town. Depending on your period of interest, artifacts and stories date back as far as the Khoi-San. Add some of these museums to your itinerary!The Old Library Museum: Dating back to 1886, The Old Library Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of Graaff-Reinet through fascinating exhibits ranging from local history to natural sciences. Reinet House Museum: An impeccably preserved Georgian mansion built in 1812. Explore the elegant rooms filled with period furnishings, artworks, and artifacts, offering a glimpse into the lives of early colonial settlers. The Military History Museum: Delve into South Africa’s military past at The Military History Museum, which features a diverse collection of exhibits spanning various conflicts and military campaigns, including artifacts, weaponry, and insightful displays. The Hester Rupert Art Museum: Celebrating our region’s vibrant artistic heritage, The Hester Rupert Art Museum showcases a captivating array of contemporary and traditional artworks by local and national artists. The Urquhart House Museum: Explore the history of Graaff-Reinet’s Jewish community at The Urquhart House Museum, housed in a charming 19th-century building. Discover fascinating displays chronicling the contributions and experiences of the local Jewish population, offering unique insights into our town’s multicultural tapestry. Insider tip: The Drostdy Hotel will soon be launching a package focused on museums. Get in touch with our reservations team at info@drostdy.co.za to discover more about museum tours! Dutch Reformed Church Activity: Marvel at the architecture and snap a pictureYou’ll likely spot Graaff-Reinet’s Dutch Reformed Church as soon as you drive into town. With its grand Cape Dutch design and scale, it is a very popular wedding destination that draws couples from across the country. Get a little closer and take your time marveling at the building’s details. Outside of service hours, you might even like to take a look around inside. Camdeboo National Park Activity: Spot the endangered Cape mountain zebraVisit the Camdeboo National Park and explore our region’s diverse landscapes, from rugged mountains and expansive plains to dramatic valleys. The park is a favourite among hikers, mountain-bikers and those looking for a picturesque place to enjoy a picnic. For a hassle-free sundowners, book a picnic basket through The Drostdy Hotel and we’d be happy to put something scrumptious together on your behalf. Here you’ll also encounter iconic wildlife like black wildebeest and the endangered Cape mountain zebra. Nqweba Dam Activity: BirdingNot only is Nqweba Dam an essential water source for Graaff-Reinet, it is also the perfect spot for twitchers to station themselves for a day of bird-watching! Visitors are also allowed to picnic along the shore or go canoeing from the boat club’s spillway. Visit shops and delis Activity: Stock your pantryIf the Karoo is known for anything, it’s for its warm hospitality and delicious food that speaks to the heartland’s bounty. Therefore, you can’t leave town without stocking up on essentials for your pantry. We’re talking rusks, jams, preserves, biltong, frozen cuts of meat, hearty pies, homemade ginger beer, old-fashioned sweets and every type of tea biscuit – from custard-flavoured shortbread to Hertzoggies. (If you don’t know what these are, you’ll have to trust us and give them a try!) There are many farm stalls and specialty grocers in and around town. We suggest walking around town on foot to discover these Graaff-Reinet gems. Nieu-Bethesda Activity: Discover fossils and The Owl HouseA 50 km drive will deliver travellers to the fascinating hamlet of Nieu-Bethesda, home of The Owl House, where the famous South African artist Helen Martins lived and died. It’s well worth taking this beautiful trip off the beaten track (Nieu-Bethesda has gravel roads and no street lights – by choice), where a warm welcome will have you feeling right at home. Niue-Bethesda is also something of a fossil hotspot. You can take a deep dive into the prehistoric at the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre or on Ganora Guest Farm, where sheep farmer and fossil enthusiast JP Steynberg would be happy to show you his extensive personal collection – including the famous Ganora fish! Afrikanis Rum Tasting Room Activity: Taste rum from AfricaCraft gin distilleries have taken the South African market by storm, but don’t discount the other spirits! When you visit the Afrikanis Rum Tasting Room, you will be transported to a place that celebrates