Heidelberg Attractions
Heidelberg, 50km/31mi southeast of Johannesburg at the foot of the Suicurbosrand ("Sugar Hill"; 1,903m/6,244ft), was founded in 1862 by a German businessman, H. J. Öckermann, who named it after his home town in Germany. After the finding of gold on the Witwatersrand the town enjoyed a period of modest prosperity. It now has a population of 13,000.
Unlike most of the other centers round Johannesburg, Heidelberg is an attractive little town with a number of features of interest and a large nature reserve just outside the town. The Klipkerk (1890) in H. F. Verwoerd Street is a national monument; the vaulted undercroft contains valuable liturgical utensils.
Unlike most of the other centers round Johannesburg, Heidelberg is an attractive little town with a number of features of interest and a large nature reserve just outside the town. The Klipkerk (1890) in H. F. Verwoerd Street is a national monument; the vaulted undercroft contains valuable liturgical utensils.
Heidelberg Transit Museum
The old railroad station, a handsome sandstone building of 1895, was restored in 1969 and now houses a Transport Museum, with old steam engines, veteran cars and old bicycles.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
On the northwestern outskirts of Heidelberg is the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, area 13,000 ha/32,000ac; home to many kinds of game, including zebras, black wildebeests and several species of antelope, as well as more than 200 species of birds. The old Diepkloof farmhouse (1850) has been restored and now houses a visitor center and museum. This is the starting-point of a number of hiking trails, including the short Cheetah Trail (4km/2.5mi). There is also a tarred track over the highveld with its wide expanses of grassland.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
