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Disabled Bathroom
At our Smidswinkel Restaurant there is a fully equipped disabled bathroom. This can be used, at no cost by visitors whether they stay with us or not. Towels will be provided. We encourage and welcome the use of this facility which can be reached by wheel chair. Two of our houses Hendrikshof which sleeps six and Frikkie se huis that sleeps four are wheel chair friendly. If required please phone for further information. Both Hendrikhof and Frikkie se huis can be seen on our website.
Checklist – What To See and Do in Nieuwoudtville and surrounds.
This is a cryptic list of what you should see and do in and around Nieuwoudtville and the list is not restricted to the flower season.
- Aloe dichotoma (Kokerboom) Forest at Gannabos
- Hantam National Botanical Gardens
- The Windmill Museum at Loeriesfontein
- The Waterfall 7 kilometres from Nieuwoudtville on the way to Loeriesfontein
- The drive to Hell and Back (quite something)
- The Rondekop drive particularly in the flower season
- Dutch Reformed Stone Church built after the Boer War. Beautiful
- Glacier Pavement
- The Ruins at Groenrivier
- The Ruins at Ouplaas on the Grasberg Road
- Nieuwoudtville town with its beautiful stone buildings.
- The view from the top of Vanrynspass
- Oorlogskloof Hiking Trail
- The farm Biekoes for Bulbs in Spring
- Other farms open to the public in the flower season. Details will be provided.
- Succulent rich Knersvlakte below Vanrynspass just 22 kilometres from Nieuwoudtville
- Municipal Flower Gardens
And on the day we will be able to tell you much more. Greater details of the selection above can be found on this website. Please Surf our website.
Suggested Books and Maps when planning your trip
On arrival at the Smidswinkel Restaurant we will provide you with a detailed map of the area.
We will then indicate to you which places you should visit. In the Restaurant we have a very large collection of books which will greatly assist us in answering your questions.
Too often guests arrive with no adequate Maps of the Western Part of South Africa. For your travels it is important that you have a Map of the Greater Namaqualand which should also show the distances between the towns.
There are an enormous number of botanical and historical books on the greater Namaqualand. For your travels in our area we recommend that you consider acquiring at least two books at no great expense. The first is the South African Wild Flower Guide 9 on the flora of Nieuwoudtville, Bokkeveld Plateau and Hantam. Massive number of photographs with both the botanical and common names of the flowers. The 2nd book is the South African Wild Flower Guide Number 1 on Namaqualand.
You are always welcome to call us for further information on both Nieuwoudtville and Greater Namaqualand.
Knersvlakte Succulents
Nieuwoudtville is just 22 km from the southern boundary of the Knersvlakte. – Arguably one of the richest if not the richest succulent biome in the world.
The N7 tarred road between Vanrhynsdorp and Nuwerus runs through the middle of this biome which is known for its dwarf succulents. They come into flower after the first autumn rains and flowering continues to the end of August.
I strongly recommend that this unique biome be visited.
On your arrival at Nieuwoudtville we will provide you with information on how to access the Knersvlakte and what can be seen.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Ruins Grootdrif
The ruins at Grootdrif are of particular interests for architects and historians. Approximately 5 km from the foot of Vanrhyns Pass traveling northwards you will pass Grootdrif.
Early in the 20th century this was a thriving little community with a school, post office and shop. The architect Gabriel Fagan recently published a book titled “Brakdak, Flatroofs in the Karoo”. From pages 94 to 109 there are 27 photographs of Grootdrif. The photographs we have posted were taken 2011/2012. These ruins as well as the many other ruins around Nieuwoudtville tell their story. Pick a map up from us and we will mark up all the ruins that can be visited within a short distance from Nieuwoudtville. I have books in my library from which you will be able to weave your own tale of the past.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Waterfall flash flood
On a Sunday afternoon driving the Rondekop Route I came across this amazing sight. A flash downpour resulted in muddy almost orange colored water cascading over the fall. An occurrence possibly only once in 50 years, but the fall itself has been there for thousands of years. There is always something unique happening around Nieuwoudtville.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
To Hell and Back
This is a route well worth taking at any time of the year. Starting from Nieuwoudtville you take the road to Loeriesfontein. After approximately 3km on the Loeriesfontein road you make a left turn on to the Grasberg Road. For the next 30 km you will pass the farm Willemsrivier then the farm Grasberg and beyond that you will pass the Ouplaas Ruins. The road hugs the Bokkeveld escarpment and winds in and out the Fynbos and Renosterveld. The vistas to the north are vast and in the distance the Kubusko Mountains can be seen. At the end of this 30km drive there is a pass called “The Hell” which you will descend down to the Knersvlakte. From the foot of “The Hell” you will drive across the Knersvlakte with the Bokkeveld range on your left. This road joins the R26 at Grootdrif approximately 5km from the foot of Vanrhynspass. Up the pass and you will be back at Nieuwoudtville. The pictures are of some of what will be seen on this scenic drive. Pick up a map from us and we will mark up what you can expect to see at the time of the year that you visit Nieuwoudtville.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
The Route Nieuwoudtville to Clanwilliam
From Nieuwoudtville travel southwards on a road that hugs the escarpment. When you reach the R355 you will turn to your right and drive down Botterkloof Pass.
Shortly after reaching the foot of the pass you will cross the Doring River. This river, the least exploited in South Africa, joins the Olifants River at Trawal on the N7. It is the Doring River that has carried the rich silt which over thousands of years has created the alluvial soils along the banks of the lower Olifants River where today there are vineyards from Klawer right trough to Lutzville and beyond.
Back to the route Nieuwoudtville to Clanwilliam. After crossing the Doring River the road gradually ascends the northern Cederberg and will take you down Pakhuis Pass to Clanwilliam. I recommend that in spring this route is driven from Nieuwoudtville. The sun will be behind you and the flowers will face you. Collect a map from us and we will give you some thoughts on this drive.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Ruins at Ouplaas
These ruins are to be found North of town on the Grasberg Road. One of the most evocative places on the Bokkeveld Plato.
These photographs were taken over many years at different times and day. Just a few of the old inhabitants can recount the history of these ruins. Worth a visit at any time of the day to paint, sketch, photograph or just to ruminate. Pick up a map from us for directions to these ruins.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Ruins at Groenrivier
These ruins date back to approximately 1750. Urbanization in the 20th century decimated the rural areas worldwide and this process is still continuing. This is my most visited place at Nieuwoudtville. It weaves a tale over the centuries. The photographs posted were taken over the years in different seasons and at different times of the day. These photographs tell it all and reminds of Gray`s beautiful poem “Elegy written in a country church yard”. These ruins are just outside town. When visiting us we will provide you with a map, and where possible accompany you to the ruins to tell you much more.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Route Grasberg road
The farm Willemsrivier is on the Graberg Road. These pictures were taken in August 2007. A magnificent day! Nieuwoudtville at its best. The Grasberg route is one of the most scenic drives around Nieuwoudtville. Collect a map from us and we will explain the route to you. Most evenings during August and September I give a talk in my restaurant The Smidswinkel on what can be seen the following day. A map is also provided.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Rondekop drive
One of the most scenic drives that can be done from Nieuwoudtville in spring is the Rondekop drive. It starts at the aloe forest and ends at the R27 six kilometers north of Nieuwoudtville. I took all these pictures when I drove this route in August 2006. It was particularly a good year. Pick a map up from us and we will explain the route to you.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Loeriesfontein Golf Course
Both Loeriesfontein and Calvinia boast golf courses. There are no clearer examples of the passion for golf and both clubs are vibrant and active. The pictures say it all. Putting on an oil green will be taxing but quite an experience. Bring your clubs with you.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Loeriesfontein Donkey Mill and Camping exhibition
Loeriesfontein our neighboring town. Next to Turner Museum in a separate building is a fine exhibition of an ox wagon and a horse mill. The pictures explain much, but if the exhibition is closed the friendly and helpful people of Loeriesfontein will open up the museum and other buildings. The guide will take you, in great detail, on a journey through the museum and the vast area, Bushmanland, that lies north of Loeriesfontein.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Gorteria Spectacular
Gorteria in full flower. The Beetle Daisy .The photographs of this annual which flowers in spring is a site to be seen. This is what makes Nieuwoudtville so spectacular in flower season.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Dolerite Hills Haemanthus sp
Dolerite Hills. These hills are just outside Nieuwoudtville and the slopes are the habitat of the spectacular Brunsvigia bosmaniae which flower most years in April. It is always worthwhile to walk these hills for the lichens on the rocks and for spring flowers.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
D5 Creation