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More information and photographs for this page will be posted shortly HOW TO GET THERE (GPS: 32 15S 24 33E) From Cape Town, follow the N1 National Road to Beaufort West. The turnoff onto the R61 to Graaff Reinet via Aberdeen is clearly signposted in Beaufort West. HISTORY "De wijdgelegen Colonie van Graaf-Rijnet" (the far off colony of Graaff-Reinet) was established in 1786. At that time, the district covered a large proportion of what is today known as the Eastern Cape and was the fourth district to be proclaimed in South Africa. The "drostdy" was built as seat of local government. Graaff-Reinet has experienced four changes of supreme government (including the proclamation of the so-called "Republic of Graaff-Reinet") and at times it has been the focal point of insurgence, political tension and border wars along its eastern frontier. In the mid-nineteenth century it was one of the starting points for the exodus of the Voortrekkers. From the 1700's Graaff-Reinet was a bustling trading centre. By 1865 there were 64 recognised public 'outspans' or places to rest, feed and water oxen and horses. Today, Graaff-Reinet is still a very active centre, known for sheep farming and the conservation of our historical past. ORIGINS OF THE NAME Named after Cornelis van de Graaff, Governor of the Cape from 1785 to 1791, and his wife Cornelia Reinet. It is one of only two South African towns named after Dutch governors. POPULATION PLACES OF INTEREST Drostdy Large number of Historic Buildings WHAT TO DO AND SEE Valley of Desolation Beauty of the Kamdeboo ('Green Valley') landscape ACCOMMODATION TOURISM OFFICE Tel: 049 892 4248 Fax: 049 892 3577 NEIGHBOURING TOWNS Aberdeen 55km Beaufort West 210km Willowmore 179km Murraysburg 134km Nieu Bethesda 54km Cradock 137km |
