Cradock, Karoo Heartland
Lying on the banks of the Great Fish River, on the site of what was intended as a Boer fort to contain the Xhosa who competed for grazing grounds for their cattle in this part of the Cape, is the historical town of Cradock - a serene but typical Karoo farming town.
Cradock is regarded today as the capital of the Karoo Heartland and renowned for its production of some of the best wool and mohair in the country.
Cradock has witnessed much of South Africa’s history from its verandas - the Great Trek originated here and from neighbouring districts; and the ostrich boom of the early 1900s graced farmers in the area with a prosperity only now resurging with the demand for fine leather and low-cholesterol meat.
Cradock is probably best known for its natural sulphur spring, now the source of the town’s modern spa that draws people from all over the country to experience both its open-air and indoor heated pools.
The town’s streets are lined with Ilex Oak Trees, particularly on Dundas Street, where they have been declared a national monument. The Old Water Mill, completely restored, is worth a visit; and the Great Fish River Museum - housed in the converted second Dutch Reformed church - conveys what it was like to live as a settler after 1806, during the second British occupation of the Cape.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Probably one of the dirtiest towns that I visit. The entrance to the town from the South is shocking. Clearly a little town without any pride! I travel through Cradock once a month.
Tony Bastos (Venterstad)
Verified review
We were surprised by how green Cradock was, since it was sweltering. It was colonially charming, and the surrounding mountains really add something special. We were pleasantly surprised.
David (Gold Coast, Oz)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Albert House B&B
Albert House B&B offers accommodation in six en-suite rooms, five of which have garden entrances. Each room has a television with Cable TV, micro...
The Palms Cradock
The Palms is situated along the Great Fish River, in the charming town of Cradock. There are many attractions in and around the area, including t...
Chive's Cottages
Chives Cottages offers accommodation for up to four guests, in two tastefully decorated units. The units are furnished with two twin beds each an...
Sanctuary Guest & Adventure Farm
Sanctuary Guest & Adventure Farm is located on the Great Fish River bank. There are shared braai facilities, tea / coffee making facilities, a mi...
Cathy's Guesthouse
Cathy's Guesthouse is a charming guest house close to restaurants and shops. The house is 150-years old and decorated in the style typical of the...
SANParks Mountain Zebra National Park
Mountain Zebra National Park offers guests a special and personal African wilderness experience and is situated near Cradock in the Malaria-free ...
Things to do in the area
Daggaboer Farm Stall
The Daggaboer Farm Stall initially started off as an outlet for handmade sheepskin slippers and delicious (filled or plain) roosterkoek. The Dag...
Impofu Hiking Trail
The Mountain Zebra National Park is home to a number of hiking trails, including the 25 kilometre Impofu Hiking Trail. This trail takes three day...
Idwala Hiking Trail
The Idwala Hiking Trail is a fairly easy trail that starts at the rest camp of the beautiful Mountain Zebra National Park close to Middelburg in ...
Great Fish River Museum
A monument dedicated to showcasing the history of the hard lives led by pioneer settlers in the area, between 1840 and 1900, you will find the Gr...
Olive Schreiner House
The Shreiner House museum is an interesting one situated in Cradock and is former home to Olive Schreiner and her siblings. Olive was a South Afr...
The Dutch Reformed Mother Church
The Dutch Reformed Church was a Reformed denomination in the Netherlands, stemming from the Roman Catholic Church, beginning in 1570. It was an a...
Mountain Zebra National Park 4x4 Trails
The Mountain Zebra National Park is home to three different 4x4 trails, and gives drivers and their passengers the prime opportunity of experienc...
Hoeksfontein 4x4 Trails
In the heart of the Karoo, deep in the South African province of the Eastern Cape, lies the fun and excitement of the Hoeksfontein 4x4 Trail. Thi...
Noteworthy attractions
Valley Of Desolation
The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face, declared a national monument that lies within the Camdeboo National Park...
Camdeboo National Park
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park prov...
Graaff-Reinet Golf Club
This 9 hole golf course with 18 tee-boxes is situated 5 km outside of the town of Graaff-Reinet on the Aberdeen Road. Facilities at Graaff-Reinet...
Mountain Zebra National Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve ...
Tsolwana Game Reserve
Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...
Obesa Cacti Nursery
In the heart of Graaf Reinet lies a totally unexpected surprise in the form of a nursery, which might just as well be called a garden as a wander...
Fonteinbos Nature Reserve
Deep within the Karoo Heartland, along the Kraai River banks, lies the 1 500 hectares of the Fonteinbos Nature Reserve. This reserve, just outsid...
Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve
The Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve is characterised by semi-arid vegetation. This is made up of scrubby bush, cycads, acacias, aloes and stretc...
Scar of Grootkloof
Mountain Zebra National Park lies in amongst the Bankberg Mountains and a series of undulating hills just outside Cradock in the Karoo. This area...
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