Grahamstown & Surrounds Attractions

The 1820 Settlers Monument in Grahamstown, South Africa, was built in 1974 in the shape of a ship and commemorates the British families who arrived in the area in 1820. Close by is the Monument Theatre complex where one can view many paintings which decorate the impressive foyer.

The most interesting of the museum's found in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, is the wonderfully eccentric Observatory Museum which is housed in an historic home and workshop of a mid-19th-century jeweller. On exhibit is the only camera obscura in the southern hemisphere - a complicated series of lenses, similar to a periscope.

The Fort Selwyn in Grahamstown is a military museum and one can get a wonderful view the picturesque town from there.

The Grahamstown National Arts Festival draws thousands of visitors in July every year. It reflects the richness of South Africa's diversity and now supports the growing trend of 'collaborative' works that aim to bring about cultural unity and encourages experimental theatre. One can watch performances of dance, opera,  classical music to jazz, something for everyone.

The area around Grahamstown offers many hiking trails.

The Odenburgia hiking trail is a 2 day circular trail.

Shorter trails are:  Dassie Krantz, Gowie Kloof, Belton, Hogsback and along Bushman's and Kowie Rivers.

Two rare coelacanth specimens are on exhibit at the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology in Grahamstown, South Africa. This prehistoric deep-water fish was thought to be extinct until its discovery in 1939. Other marine and freshwater fish are also on display.

Documents, early manuscripts and personal letters relating to South Africa's most important writers are on display at the Grahamstown National English Literary Museum.

For visitors who are looking for a historical tourist attraction with a macabre twist whilst visiting the beautiful old city of Grahamstown in South Africa, the Provost Prison is a must. Built in 1838 by the order of Sir Benjamin D’Urban, the name is derived from is relationship with the Provost Marshall. The Provost Marshall was the officer who was responsible not only for maintaining order, but also for the punishment and custody of military offenders, such as deserters, in 19th century military camps. The Prison was designed on Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon prison system which was an 18th century design that facilitated the ‘ceaseless surveillance’ of the prisoners held within the prison’s walls.

At that point in time, Sir Benjamin D’Urban was not only Governor but also Commander-in-Chief of the Cape Colony. The military prison was part of a fortified barrack which was being built for the protection of the colony. The Provost Prison was built by the Royal Engineers and was based on the panopticon prison system which consisted of an outer circle of cells complete with exercise yards which surrounded a two-storey guardhouse. The theory was that the prisoners could be kept under constant guard from the windows of the tower and, since each cell adjoined a small exercise yard, the prisoners seldom had need to leave their cells.

In 1937, the Old Provost Prison was declared a national monument. Following this it was restored by the Cape Provincial Administration before being handed over to the Albany Museum in 1982. The prison still has a very real, very grisly feel to it – though it is unlikely that any drastic punishments were ever metered out here.

The Rhodes University owes its unique character among South African universities to a combination of factors - historical, geographical, cultural and architectural. Its history is a chronicle of the people whose intellect, vision and courage created and sustained a university, often against seemingly insuperable odds. Successive generations of Rhodians, imbued with their independence of thought, have had an influence on southern Africa and world affairs out of all proportion to their small numbers.

University education in the Eastern Cape of South Africa began in the college departments of four schools: St Andrew's in Grahamstown; Gill College in Somerset East; Graaff-Reinet College; and the Grey Institute in Port Elizabeth. By the turn of the century only St Andrew's and Gill still prepared candidates for the degree examinations of the University of the Cape of Good Hope. Limitations in staff, laboratory equipment and libraries made tuition inadequate. It was obvious that only a central university college could provide a satisfactory standard of university education.

Take a drive to this little picturesque village, 15km from Port Alfred and visit the oldest licenced pub in South Africa, the Pig and Whistle. It is the largest pineapple growing area, enjoy a refreshing glass of pineapple juice at one of the farms.

The Fish River Sun Vacation Club features an 18-hole Gary Player designed golf course, as well as a Body and Skin Clinic.

The self-catering units at the Fish River Sun Vacation Club comprise 37 two bedroom units, 2 three bedroom units and 1 ultra luxurious three bedroomed unit.

Unit types:
2 Bedroom units - sleeps a maximum of 6
3 Bedroom units - sleeps a maximum of 8

Total units:
2 Bedrooms - 37 x units
3 Bedrooms - 3 x units
Disabled Friendly:
1 x 2 bedroom unit (on request only)

3 Bedroom units:
- 3 x units
- 2 x 3-bedroom units downstairs pool facing and 1 x unit upstairs pool facing.
- 3 bedrooms
- 3 Bathrooms
- Lounge
- Kitchen
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- All kitchen utensils/crockery/cutlery are supplied
- Telephone
- Satellite Television (M-Net)
- Air-conditioning
- Breakfast counter

2 Bedroom units:
- 37 x 2 bedroom units
- Of which 18 are downstairs - 8 are pool facing and 10 are garden facing - all downstairs units come with own patio and own braai area.
- 19 x upstairs units of which 9 are pool facing and 10 are garden facing - all upstairs units have a small balcony - communal braai facility only
- 2 bedrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Lounge
- Kitchen
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- All kitchen utensils/crockery/cutlery are supplied
- Telephone
- Satellite Television (M-Net)
- Air-conditioning
- Breakfast counter

The Great Fish River Reserve is 34km north of Grahamstown, South Africa, and is the largest wildlife reserve in the Easter Cape Province.  Game which can be seen are kudu, eland, hartebeest, hippo, black rhino, buffalo and leopard. An overnight trail is available.

Kelly's Beach, one of several beaches in Port Alfred, has been accredited Blue Flag status for the 2006/2006 Summer season. This is an international award granted annually only to those beaches that meet excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental management.

The Eastern Cape town of Port Alfred is affectionately known as the "Kowie", named after the wide tidal river mouth of the Kowie River, which flows through Port Alfred to the sea. It is said that the name is of Khoi origin, and means "rushing waters".

The Kowie History Museum in Port Alfred focuses largely on the social history of the historic Albany District while highlighting the activities of the early settlers between the period of 1820 and 1889. Displays at the Kowie History Museum include an old card index recording all of the names of the 4,000 British settlers and immediate descendants, who landed in the area in the early 1800's.

Another interesting exhibit featured at the Kowie History Museum in Port Alfred  is a display about the Briseis, which ran aground on a reef in 1859 while returning from India. The ship was reported to have been carrying gold and silver on board, which was never found. Another story tells of how the people of Port Alfred awoke one day, to find the ship resting on the reef, abandoned by its crew. The remains of the vessel can still be found today, scattered over about 150m. Tons of chain, her four anchors and large amounts of other debris can be seen submerged in about 12m of water. The wreck site has become a popular diving site at Port Alfred.

The Kowie History museum also houses an impressive collection of sea shells from the Port Alfred area. Port Alfred is well known for its interesting and varied shells which can be found along the shore. Much like Jeffrey's Bay further south, a massive variety of more than 1800 different species including perlemoen, phasignella, nautilus and turbonilla, are often found, as well as a number of rarities.

The small Kowie History Museum is situated in the Port Alfred suburb of East Bank, on the East bank of the Kowie River. The museum is housed in Port Alfred's old post office, which was once the premises of the Port Alfred High School until 1929.

The small Kowie History Museum is situated in the old Post Office building in Port Alfred. The museum is open from 10 to 13 Uhr except Sundays.

Tel: 046 624 4713

The historic Royal Port Alfred Golf Club was constituted in 1907. It is situated in Port Alfred, South Africa's sunshine coast half way between the Ports of East London and Port Elizabeth.

One of the true links courses in South Africa, it is set on the rolling hills of Port Alfred, with plenty of indigenous bush, game and wonderful sea views. The 5800 meter course has a unique layout, which, in true links tradition, tests the golfer's ability to read the elements as much as the course.  The Royal Port Alfred Golf Club promises a golfing experience not to be missed.