Things to see and do

Der kleine blaue Zug auf den Loodsberg Pass

Der historische kleine blaue Zug ist ein ehemaliger Dienstwagen der Bahn, der in zwei Stunden auf den Loodsberg Pass tuckert. Die Bahnfahrt führt mitten durch die markante Berglandschaft der Karoo-Halbwüste, vorbei an den typischen Windpumpen und Schaffarmen. Wenn Sie Glück haben, sehen Sie sogar Kudus, Riesenschildkröten oder andere wilde Tiere.

Max. sechs Personen. Nur auf Vorausbuchung.

The Owlhouse

Helen Martins' Owl House, often cited as South Africa's finest example of outsider art, is an extraordinary, other-worldly home of concrete and ground glass sculptures.

Ganora Farm

At Ganora Farm there are fossil beds dating 240 million years, Bushman etchings and Boer artifacts. Horse-riding, mountain-biking and bird-watching are all possible.

The Valley of Desolation

The Valley of Desolation, one of South Africa's most dramatic sights and a national monument, has a 19 kilometre game-viewing drive and several hiking trails.

Hiking the Canyon

A half-day hike along the Canyon will take you from Ganora Farm to De Toren, offering the opportunity to experience the Karoo's wildlife at close quarters.

Graaff-Reinet

Graaff-Reinet is known as the gem of the Karoo. With scores of museums and monuments, it has plenty to offer those interested in its history.

Mountain Zebra National Park

A hike in the Mountain Zebra National Park, home to a large herd of these rarest of zebra and other game, will reward you with exceptional views and close contact with the zebras.

Climbing the Compassberg

Compassberg (2502m) is the highest peak in the Sneeuberg range and second highest in the Eastern Cape. It takes four to five hours to climb to the top and descend again. The base of the mountain is a forty minute drive from Nieu Bethesda.

Hike to the spring

Hike along the water furrows to the natural spring that is the town's water supply.

Common misspellings of Nieu Bethesda

In 1878, when the town was first formed, the name nu Bethesda was misspelt as "Nieu Bethesda". "New Bethesda" is also a popular spelling. The town has has more creative misspellings like: New, Nu, Nieuw, Niew, Bethesda, Betesda, Bathesda, Batesda, Bethesta, Betesta, Bathesta and Batesta.