Colesberg is situated in the Karoo, half way between Johannesburg and Cape Town on N 1. It is an attractive little place which makes a good stopover on a journey between the two cities. Like the neighboring town of De Aar, Colesberg was originally no more than a railroad junction. It was officially founded in 1829 and named after the then
Governor of the colony, Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole.
A few buildings survive from Colesberg's early days, including six lovingly restored houses in Bell Street. There is also a fine Dutch Reformed church of 1866.