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Matjiesfontein - Cape Town History - South Africa Travel Guide
Matjiesfontein is reached in a northerly direction from Cape Town. Drive on the N 1 towards Paarl and arrive in the town in 3 hours. It is about 250 km from Cape Town. On the right hand side of the Internet site, you can see a small map of the Western Cape. Click on this map and the map of South Africa is enlarged.
Jimmy Logan can be regarded as founder of the small town. He opened a health resort here. He built a post-office, bank and a hotel here. Later a train station was built here, and very important and famous people came here for a luxury holiday.
Some of the famous names include:
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Aristocrat Duke of Hamilton
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Author Rudyard Kipling – winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature
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The Sultan of Zanzibar
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Lord Randolph Churchill – Conservative British politician(father of Winston Churchill)
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Cecil Rhodes
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Author Edgar Wallace
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Author Olive Schreiner
The historical Hotel Milner (today Hotel Lord Milner) has been restored by the businessman David Rawdon from Cape Town. In this historical and elegant hotel, there are supposedly ghosts and from time to time laughing voices and the clicking of billiard balls can be heard. According to legend, the ghost of the wounded british “Tommy” still visits the town after the Boer War.
Attractions in Matjiesfontein
The Marie Rawdon Museum is a worthwhile visit, and shows a private collection of historical objects. It provides information, about how the inhabitants lived at that time. In the Transnet Museum, one can learn about the history of the trains. The old signal box which replaced the hand signals can also be seen here. In the old post office, you can purchase stamps, wine and South African gifts.
Further Attractions:
Observatory (SALT) - Gateway to the Universe – the giant eye of South Africa – about 100 km from Matjiesfontein
Between 2000 and 2005 , South Africa, together with partners from Germany, Poland, America, New Zealand and England, built the largest single telescope in the southern hemisphere. The project was called ''SALT''.
The main mirror of the telescope is made up of 91 single segments, which gathers light from the Universe. The telescope mirror has a diameter of 11 metres. In contrast to the classic telescope, this is not a monolithic telescope mirror. During the observation of stars or planets, the mirror does not have to be turned.
The observatory looks for answers to unsolved questions about stars, planets, dust, the gas of empty space, galaxies which hold a hundred million stars, and the structure and scale of the universe. This novel telescope makes it possible to reach into previously unseen depths of the universe and thereby acquire insights into the earliest stages of the universe. The telescope has an enormous capability and is able to recognise candle-light on the moon!!!
The Observatory in Sutherland is reached via the R 354 and is about 100 km from Matjiesfontein. The distance from Cape Town is about 370 km. Calculate a good hour by car from Matjiesfontein or 4 hours from Cape Town. If you travel directly from Cape Town, you must first use the N 1 and then turn onto the R 357 from Matjiesfontein.
Jimmy Logan - Please Click!
Our travel tip:
Should you wish to visit the Karoo, we advise you to stop in Matjiesfontein. From Cape Town it is about 250 km. In about 3 hours, you will reach Matjiesfontein.
Round trip: Garden Route: Cape Town – Oudtshoorn – Knysna – Cape Town
Our recommendation is that you drive from Cape Town to Matjiesfontein. Overnight accommodation in a hotel or guest-house can be arranged. You will then have enough time to explore the city and surroundings. Visit the Big Eye of South Africa, the Observatory in Sutherland, which is about 100 km from Matjiesfontein.
The journey continues to Oudtshoorn, the feather capital of South Africa. Here we can arrange an over-night stay on an ostrich farm. From Oudtshoorn, continue towards the coast via George. We recommend Knysna and advise a stay of 2 nights here. This is a very pleasant town with lots to see. Should you visit during the whaling season, a whale tour in Plettenberg Bay should be booked. The tour is relatively expensive but a very memorable experience. From Knysna you can begin your return journey to Cape Town. We recommend a different route to the outward journey. Drive along the coast (N 2) via Hermanus to Cape Town. The return journey from Knysna to Cape Town is about 5 hours (500 km).
Beaufort West - Matjiesfontein - Oudtshoorn - Swartberg Pass - Calitzdorp - Ladismith - Laingsburg - Prince Albert
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