Discovering Graaff-Reinet
Destination Graaff-Reinet
Situated in the heart of the Karoo, the historic town of Graaff-Reinet is well established as a proud and renowned destination for local and international travellers. With endless attractions, activities and experiences for the whole family, South Africa’s 4th oldest town has rich history and architecture, with over 220 heritage sites, monuments and museums for guests to explore throughout this charming and picturesque rural escape.
Graaff-Reinet also provides an unforgettable rural shopping experience with an assortment of quaint stores offering arts, crafts, and local Karoo wares, along with a variety of local restaurants, eateries, and coffee shops to discover whilst sightseeing; all of which are located within easy walking distance of the Drostdy Hotel.
Tour Imibala Art Gallery
We highly recommend exploring the Imibala Gallery during your stay with us. It’s not just an art space; it’s a reflection of our commitment to positive change.
Raise a Glass at De Camdeboo Wijnkamer
Indulge in the rich heritage of South African wines at De Camdeboo Wijnkamer. Discover some of the country’s finest wines, thoughtfully curated in our wine shop, where guests have the exclusive opportunity to purchase them at cellar-door prices. While our shop boasts a contemporary flair, it seamlessly blends with the historic ambiance of our surroundings. To learn more about the world of South African wine, we invite you to book a guided tasting session at our reception. It’s an experience that promises to deepen your appreciation for the captivating flavours of the region.
Historic Walking Tour
Graaff-Reinet has retained its quaint and tranquil appeal as a charming rural escape in the heart of the Karoo, while the Drostdy Hotel is an ideal home base from which guests can discover the town with an enriching Historic Walking Tour. Jacaranda lined streets invite visitors to explore on foot, and discover the rich history and heritage of this iconic town with its mix of Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian architecture, and over 220 heritage sites, monument and museums, more than any other town in the country.
Stoep Wine Tasting Weekends
Graaff-Reinet comes alive in May with the arrival of the Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend, an experience that’s established itself as one of South Africa’s most celebrated culinary events. The annual Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend is one of the premier wine tourism weekends in Africa and showcases some of the top independent wine and spirit producers from South Africa and abroad. Lovers of fine wine and food travel from across Southern Africa to stroll the streets, from stoep to stoep tasting some of the finest tipples in the world.
The Stoep Wine Tasting Weekend takes place 17th – 18th May 2024, AND 23rd – 25th May 2024.
Valley Of Nieu-Bethesda
Take a day trip to Village of Nieu-Bethesda, a hidden gem nestled in the Eastern Cape’s picturesque landscape. This quaint village is less than 50kms from Graaff-Reinet, is steeped in history, and renowned for its unique attractions.
Valley Of Desolation
A visit to this breath-taking landmark is simply an awe-inspiring experience. Sheer cliffs and precariously balanced columns of Dolerite rise 120 metres from the valley floor, against the timeless backdrop of the vast plains of the Camdeboo. This spectacular site is a short 14 km drive from the town. The Drostdy Team will be delighted to prepare a wholesome picnic basket to take along with you.
Activities & Adventure
If you are staying in Graaff-Reinet for a few days, or just passing through, the town and surrounding areas offers a wide variety of activities and experiences for the whole family, including endless mountain bike and hiking trails, local shopping, bird watching, cycling, fishing, 4 X 4 Trails, hunting, and the Graaff-Reinet Golf Club.
Sightseeing, Nature & Wildlife
Offering magnificent landscapes and scenery, Graaff-Reinet and the surrounding areas are a haven for lovers of the great outdoors and photography enthusiasts alike. Local and international visitors to Camdeboo National Park and Samara Karoo Reserve will be amazed to discover an abundance of birdlife, fauna and flora.
Not-to-be-missed attractions include:
- Valley of Desolation
This breath-taking site is a short 14 km drive from the town. The Drostdy Team will assist and prepare a fresh picnic basket to take along.
- Camdeboo National Park
Camdeboo National Park provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo, not to mention awesome scenic beauty. A unique feature of the 19 405-hectare park is its location, practically…
- Samara Karoo Reserve
Off the R63 between Graaff-Reinet and Pearston and Spanning 70,000 acres of wilderness in the Great Karoo, malaria-free Samara Karoo Reserve offers a Big Five safari with a difference – a unique conservation passion project.
Monuments & Museums
Graaff-Reinet, the 4th oldest town in South Africa, is home to over 220 national monuments and museums, more than any other town in the country, and boasts some of the most remarkable architectural treasures for local and international visitors to admire. Behind the Reinet House Museum in Graaff-Reinet, visitors will also find a Black Acorn grapevine planted by Charles Murray in 1870 which is said to be the second oldest living grapevine in South Africa!
Explore Graaff-Reinet
Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk)
The first recorded church was in Church Street and started in 1792 but was destroyed by fire in 1799 before it could be completed. A second church was completed in 1800 on the site of the present Dutch Reformed Church, or Groot Kerk, at the northern end of Church Street.
Graaff-Reinet
Club
The Graaff-Reinet Club is the second oldest social club in South Africa. The land and building was purchased in 1875, when several leading townsmen and farmers decided that a social club was needed. In 1880, a new club house was built on the same site.
Victoria Hall Graaff-Reinet Town Hall
On the 26 June 1902 the foundation stone of the new Town Hall in Church Square named “The Victoria Hall” was laid but building operations only started in April 1910. The town hall was designed along Flemish Renaissance lines.
Te Water
House
This is one of the many wing-type houses that existed in the centre of the town. H-shaped and dating from 1820, the gables have been clipped and the façade woodwork added in about 1870.
Andries Pretorius
Monument
This monument in memory of the Voortrekker leader was erected in 1943. The monument can be seen about 3 km from the town, at the Camdeboo National Park Offices on the N9 to Middelburg.
The War
Memorial
Three months after the end of the first World War a public meeting was called by the Mayor, Mr. H Urquhart, at which it was decided to erect a monument, on the most prominent site in town, in honour of the gallant Graaff-Reinet men who had lost their lives in the war.
San and Khoi
Memorial
The San and Khoi Memorial stands on a hill on the Aberdeen Road approach to the town, dedicated to the Hottentots and Bushmen that lost their lives to conflicting interests with farmers between 1702 and 1809.
St James
Anglican Church
The oldest original church building in use is St James’ Church situated in Somerset Street. The original church consisting of the present nave was built and consecrated on the 29 October 1850.
The Huguenot
Monument
In 1988 South Africa celebrated the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the French Huguenots in the country. To mark this occasion a small monument in the form of a pyramid was erected in Church Square, Graaff Reinet.
Old Powder
Magazine
The old powder magazine stands alone on the hill to the north of Graaff Reinet.
Trinity Methodist
Church
In 1871 the foundation stone of the Trinity Church on the corner of Caledon and Bourke Streets was laid and on the 15 September 1875 the official opening of the church took place.
Anglo-Boer
War Memorial
Dedicated to Boer soldiers “in memory of the fallen in the struggle for Freedom and Justice”.
The Monument to
Jewish Pedlars
The important role played by the Jewish “smous” in the sparsely populated interior of the Cape Colony is recognised in a simple monument erected alongside College Road.
Owl House &
Helen Martins
Helen Martins lay ill in bed one night with the moon shining in through the window and considered how dull and grey her life had become. She resolved there and then, that she would strive to bring light and colour into her life….
Jan Rupert
Center
The Neo-Gothic building in Middle Street was originally a place of worship for the Manatees, a refugee Sotho tribe that had fled south across the Orange River in the 1820’s.
Old Library
Museum
While limited privately sponsored library facilities were available in Graaff-Reinet from about 1818, it was not until 1847 that the citizens of the town established a public library, subscribing funds to build the central…
Hester Rupert
Art Museum
Located in Church Street, Graaff-Reinet, is housed in the fifth oldest church building in South Africa. It was built and consecrated as a Dutch Reformed Mission Church in 1821, 35 years after the founding of the village of…
Old Residency
Museum
The former Residency, situated diagonally opposite Reinet House at the end of Parsonage Street, and forming a unique architectural complex with it, is a well-preserved example of the early 19th Century Cape Dutch H-shaped house.
The Bushman Heritage
Museum
The Bushman Heritage Museum – A unique museum of contemporary art made by living Bushmen, includes a permanent collection of stunning tapestries made by local Bushmen artists at the Bethesda Arts Centre.
Urquhart House
Museum
The large erf at the southern extremity of Market Square, on which Urquhart House stands today, was granted in freehold to Johan Hendrik Greyling on 1 January 1806, which places it amongst the earliest plots transferred into…
Ganora Fossil &
Artifact Museum
The Ganora Fossil Museum in Nieu Bethesda was registered in 1998 and, although small, houses mainly the finds we have made on Ganora. The fossils we exhibit are on average about 280 million years old.
Kitching Fossil Exploration
Center
A visit to the Fossil Exploration Centre will be a journey back in time to a world with unfamiliar plants and animals. There are life-size models of prehistoric animals that roamed the area and illustrations of the landscape…
Anglo-Boer
War Museum
The museum provides an overview of the military history of Graaff-Reinet from the 1800`s until 30 June 2007.
Military History
Museum
The Military History Museum is the most recent addition to the Graaff-Reinet Museum Complex and was established in 2005.
OBSESA nursery
Obesa Nursery, situated in Graaff-Reinet, has established itself on 10 hectares of land. Their plants exceed 2 million species and is worth a visit.
Tri the Karoo
Attention all adventurers and fitness enthusiasts! Get ready to conquer the ultimate challenge at the inaugural TRI THE KAROO triathlon.
100 Miler
Ride The Karoo on a 100 Mile or 50 Miler journey through the beautiful Sneeuberg mountain range region. Participants make a water stop in Nieu Bethesda.
Robertson Bird
Exhibition
Enjoy art by Norman Lighton in this beautiful and truly unique outing for the family in Robertson.
Reinet House
Museum
The Graaff-Reinet Museum or “Reinet House”, formerly a Dutch Reformed Church parsonage, was built at the expense of the Government in 1812 during the ministry of the Rev. Kicherer.