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 DesolationActivity: Watch the sunrise Located 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. MuseumsActivity: Meander about and take in our town’s rich culture and history Step 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 ChurchActivity: Marvel at the architecture and snap a picture You’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 ParkActivity: Spot the endangered Cape mountain zebra Visit 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 DamActivity: Birding Not 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 delisActivity: Stock your pantry If 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-BethesdaActivity: Discover fossils and The Owl House A 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 RoomActivity: Taste rum from Africa Craft 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 all that it means to be a