Stilfontein (original) (raw)
Stilfontein, Southern Region
Stilfontein, meaning 'still fountain', lies between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom, roughly 130 kilometres from Johannesburg. Stilfontein is essentially a mining town that forms part of what is known as the KOSH area (Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartebeestfontein) - a group of gold mining towns. Stilfontein seems to function as the town in which most people who work on the mines of Hartebeestfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein live. But it is also close to the university of Potchefstroom.
That was until a totally unprecedented earthquake shook the area in 2005, damaging not only buildings in Stilfontein, but the mines as well. A visit to the town is an ideal way to find out more about gold mining in the country. Both Hartebeestfontein and Stilfontein provide fascinating tours, including being able to see how gold is poured.
Stilfontein is also on another tourist route known as the N12 Treasure route, covering the central part of the North West Province and including all the mining 'dorps' or towns along the N12 and N14 - Carletonville, Fochville, Orkney...some would say, that this is where the 'character' of South Africa is hidden.
And when the mine tours are complete and you have satisfied all curiousity as to how gold is poured, then Klerksdorp is worth a visit (they even have an online 'city guide') where you can go down a mine shaft, visit the Klerksdorp Museum, the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve, walk the Oudorp hiking trail or visit the Klerksdorp Dam just outside of town.
Note: if travelling to Cape Town, take the alternative route on the N12, via Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Kimberley - what better way to see the mining towns and a different side of the story.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Hotel / Bed & Breakfast
Ngwenya Hotel
Ngwenya Hotel is a magnificent hotel located in the centre of Stilfontein, Klerksdorp. Our hotel boasts rooms ranging from standard to executive,...
Guest House / Self Catering
Fair Haven Guest House
The Fair Haven Guest House in Stilfontein was born out of a vision � a vision to provide comfort to people. We have accommodated guests from all ...
Guest House
African Elephants Den
African Elephant's Den offers accommodation in Stilfontein, along the N12 Treasure Route and is situated 180km south west of Johannesburg or 320k...
Noteworthy attractions
Birdlife or Wildlife Sanctuaries
Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
Regarded as one of the largest waterfowl sanctuaries in Southern Africa, Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is a huge 2000 hectare body of water that is R...
Nature Reserves
Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve
Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve lies on the North West province side of the Bloemhof Dam, on the dam�s northern shores. Regarded as one of the larges...
Nature Reserves
Boskop Dam Nature Reserve
The Boskop Dam Nature Reserve is 3000 hectares of rolling grasslands that offer visitors sightings of black wildebeest, springbok, red hartebeest...
Nature Reserves
SA Lombard Nature Reserve
One of the earliest wildlife conservation research centres in the country, the SA Lombard Nature Reserve is the park credited with saving the bla...
Nature Reserves
Wolwespruit Nature Reserve
The Wolwespruit Nature Reserve lies on the Vaal River and is one of the least known of the parks in the North West province, possibly because of ...
Golf Courses
Orkney Golf Club
Orkney Golf Course is a tree-linked parkland course with undulating greens. It has thirty-one bunkers and five water features as well as the Vaal...
Golf Courses
Potchefstroom Golf Club
Set in beautiful surroundings, with hundreds of willow trees lining the banks of the Mooi River which winds through the property, Potchefstroom G...
Museums
Klerksdorp Museum
Located in Margarieta Prinsloo & Lombaard Street, the Klerksdorp museum also offers Peach Mampoer & Soet Blits liqueurs. A former prison this bea...
Nature Reserves
Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve
For bird enthusiasts the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve often forms part of a bird spotting tour and is regarded as a place for �serious� birding....
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