Bethlehem Attractions
Bethlehem lies 235km/146mi south of Johannesburg on the shores of Loch Athlone, an artificial lake created by a dam on the river Jordaan. Situated in a large maize-growing area, it rapidly developed into the economic and administrative center of the eastern Orange Free State. Bethlehem is also a popular holiday resort, a convenient stopover on the way to the Drakensberg and a good base for visiting the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
The Maize Fair is held annually in October.
The first voortrekkers came to this area around 1840, driven from their homes by the British conquest of the Cape. In 1864 they founded the town of Bethlehem on the site of the Pretoriuskloof farm, naming it after the place of Christ's birth and naming the river after the Jordan.
The Maize Fair is held annually in October.
The first voortrekkers came to this area around 1840, driven from their homes by the British conquest of the Cape. In 1864 they founded the town of Bethlehem on the site of the Pretoriuskloof farm, naming it after the place of Christ's birth and naming the river after the Jordan.
Anglican Church of St Augustine
The Anglican church of St Augustine is a notable building in Bethlehem.
Dutch Reformed Moederkerk & Tuishuis
The Dutch Reformed Moederkerk in Church Square and the Tuishuis now occupied by a restaurant are buildings of note in Bethlehem.
Loch Athlone Resort
The Loch Athlone Resort, a holiday village, lies on the banks of the Jordaan, here dammed to form Loch Athlone, 3km/2mi from Bethlehem. It is well equipped with hotels and holiday apartments, a camping site for tents and motor caravans, a floating restaurant and a variety of sports facilities. Round the lake run waymarked hiking trails. The resort is a good base for long walks, for example on the 36km/22mi long Houtkop Hiking Trail.
Municipal Museum
The Municipal Museum, housed in the former church (1906) of the Nazareth Mission, displays everyday objects from Boer households. In its garden is an old steam engine which ran between Cape Town and Mafeking around the turn of the century.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 | 14:30 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | |
| Open | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Pretoriuskloof Nature Reserve
The Pretoriuskloof Nature Reserve, on the banks of the Jordaan in the center of Bethlehem, is an oasis for small animals, particularly for various species of birds.
Wolhuterskop Nature Reserve
6km/4mi from Bethlehem on the Fouriesburg road is the Wolhuterskop Nature Reserve (area 800ha/2,000 ac), home to various species of antelope and gazelle and large numbers of birds. The 15km/9mi long Wolhuterskop Hiking Trail runs through the park, starting from the entrance to Loch Athlone Resort.
