Swinburne, Thabo Mofutsanyana
If you have travelled the road between Johannesburg and Durban by bus at any stage in South Africa you will most likely have stopped at Swinburne, whether or not you were aware that it was actually Swinburne. Until later in life, I thought Swinburne was a petrol station where buses, cars and their passengers take a break whilst filling up with the necessary to complete the journey.
Actually, Swinburne is a little village perched virtually on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment. It goes largely unnoticed where it lies between Harrismith and Van Reenen (both more popular stops on the N3), which is a good thing considering how few little hamlets in this particularly beautiful part of South Africa can claim obscurity as an asset.
Swinburne also claims as its own the Rensburgkop Mountain, which looms over the town and is a firm favourite with climbers, mountain bikers and hikers. The Bald Ibis Hiking Trail, one of very few weekend backpack trails close enough to Gauteng, starts in Swinburne.
Yellowwood forests, grassy plains and typical mountain weather that can have you pulling your windbreaker on and off depending on which season strikes in which hour of the day all help contribute to a beautiful sometimes flower strewn countryside. Rather quaintly, the Bald Ibis trail includes a 'windy corner', which can be a little difficult to negotiate should it be a windy day.
Despite the fact that Swinburne has little to offer over and above a basic shop and a restaurant and pub known as the 'Hound and Hare', it is probably this very quaintness that make the town so very inviting to all who stay here. Besides, Harrismith is not far away and one can stock up on supplies there.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Saints Rest
Saint's Rest is a self catering holiday home located in Clarens on the golf course. The house sleeps eight guests in four bedrooms each with an e...
Lefikeng Cabin
Lefikeng Cabin is located on Yarona Guest Farms, a working farm just 15km from Clarens and offers guests a relaxing getaway to appreciate the fre...
Dynasty Red Mountain Ranch
Dynasty Red Mountain Ranch offers accommodation in a beautiful three bedroom holiday house nestled at the entrance of Golden Gate within ten minu...
African Dawn Luxury Guesthouse
African Dawn Luxury Guesthouse offers bed and breakfast accommodation in walking distance of the town's centre, where various restaurants, shops ...
His Vessel Guesthouse
His Vessel Guest House is a charming B&B in Clarens, just a 5 min drive / walk from Clarens Central. The small town of Clarens is situated at the...
Red Mountain Retreat
Situated on the ridge in the back corner of Clarens, Red Mountain Retreat is a self-catering holiday home offering one of the best views with dir...
Mount Rose
Mount Rose is a family and pet-friendly self-catering holiday home located in Clarens. We have peace and quiet, dark skies, dirt roads and clean ...
Arundel Studios
Arundel Studio's have spectacular, un-interrupted mountain views. Waking up to a rising sun over the Maluti mountains you can see the Golden Gate...
Pyramids Motel
Pyramids Motel offers accommodation in Van Reenen in unique styled chalets and luxury rooms. The hotel offers magnificent views of Natal and maje...
Things to do in the area
Bald Ibis Trail
Start: 25km outside of Harrismith at base camp Finish: base campDuration: 2 days with a total of 27 kmFitness: moderate, although the firs...
The Hound and Hare
If you are a fan of pub grub then you might want to plan a trip to Durban if you live in Jozi or vice versa if you live in Durbs. You don’t need ...
Noteworthy attractions
Golden Gate National Park
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park d...
Sterkfontein Dam Reserve
Rugged, steep krantzes silhouetted against the skyline, mountain slopes snugly covered with a grass blanket, deep lushly vegetated kloofs and a c...
Clarens Golf Estate
The par 71 golf course, designed and constructed by Golf Data, is bound to excite every level of golfer. All 18 holes meander along and across th...
Basotho Cultural Village
A visit to the Basotho Cultural Village which nestles at the foot of huge sandstone mountains, will give you a deeper insight into the lifestyle ...
Bethlehem Golf Club
The Bethlehem Golf Course is a Par 71 (W69), 18 hole golf course located in the lovely town of Bethlehem in the Free State. Facilities at Bethleh...
Harrismith Country Club
The Harrismith Country Club is a wonderfully kept course in the humble town of Harrismith. The golf course, famously known for being the third ol...
Mount Everest Game Reserve
The privately owned Mount Everest Game Reserve is set in a particularly scenic part of the Free State close to the town of Harrismith and, despit...
Clarens Village Conservancy
The Clarens Village Conservancy (CVC) is a group of people, homeowners and businesses who together look after the town's natural resources - land...
Normandien Pass
The Normandien Pass links Memel in the Free State with Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. The pass is gravel that by all accounts has seen better days, ...
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