Carletonville, West Rand
The mining town of Carletonville lies west of Johannesburg, out beyond Westonaria close to the N12. The town is busy, due in no small part to the fact that it lies in one of the richest gold-producing parts of the world One of the major mines, Western Deep Levels, includes 'deep' in its name for the very fact that it is one of the world's deepest mines.
Watch Isidingo (one of South Africa's local soapies) and you will have a slightly clearer picture of Carletonville, intrigue included. Like many mining towns everyone knows everyone else's business, although the town is big enough that you can maintain a certain level of anonymity. The local Carletonville website bears testimony to this fact, reserving a blog area called 'skinder blad' or 'gossip corner' for local news and views.
Western Deep Levels is not the only gold mine either. There are no fewer than seven surrounding the town. As if to make up for all of this industry the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve lies just outside Carletonville - a sanctuary of grassland and wetland where bird spotting is well rewarded with the prospect of seeing at least 60 species on any given morning. The greater and lesser flamingo use the wetland as do crakes, swamp hens, herons, the African fish eagle and korhaans. There are also some lovey shady picnic spots for day visitors.
The Losberg hiking trail wends its way through the Tolokwe ruins, an Iron Age settlement; there is a skydiving club based in the town for kicks, or you can visit Lepalong on Kleinfontein farm just outside town where you can explore a system of caves occupied by the Kwena people in the early 1800s.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Kaya Selati Guest House
Situated in Carletonville, Kaya Selati Guest House has a warm, welcoming atmosphere and is within walking distance of shops and supermarkets. The...
Casa Villa Guest House
Nestled in a tranquil lush green garden close to various attractions and activities in Carltonville, Casa Villa Guest House offers guests a relax...
Villa Selati
Villa Selati is located in Carletonville and offers accommodation for up to 13 guests. The house has a welcoming atmosphere and facilities includ...
Romans Rest
At Romans Rest Guest House you can expect a Roman experience and you will be treated as Roman Emperors. The accommodation can be found in Carleto...
Noteworthy attractions
Sterkfontein Caves
The Sterkfontein Caves are a series of limestone caves 50 kilometres north west of Johannesburg that are not only the richest, but most productiv...
Goldfields West Golf Club
The Goldfields West Golf course meanders through a nature reserve, which is naturally a most relaxing and a completely unspoiled environment wher...
Krugersdorp Golf Club
Hundreds of pine trees, the well-manicured fairways and greens, and the sweeping winds of the distant Magaliesberg range, especially when one is ...
Randfontein Golf Club
The small town of Randfontein lies on the greatest gold reef in South Africa and was established in 1929 although its history dates back much fur...
Roodepoort Country Club
Nestling in the tranquil countryside of Ruimsig, west of Johannesburg, lies one of South Africa's most challenging championship golf courses, Roo...
Krugersdorp Game Reserve
The habitat is mainly grassveld with small dams and reedbeds at the northern-most end. The vast areas of open grassland in the reserve provide th...
Cradle of Humankind
The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossillised remains of ancient forms of animal...
Roodepoort Museum
Set in the Roodepoort Civic Centre on Christiaan de Wet Road, the Roodepoort Museum capably covers Roodepoort's long and diverse history, which d...
Croc City Crocodile Farm
Croc City Crocodile Farm provides the opportunity for the public to observe one of the world's most spectacular predators at close range. Croc Ci...
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