|  The
Free State can be considered the Gold province of the country.
The economy centres on large commercial farms and the Gold
mining industry.
Historically the Free State has retained the same borders
that were laid out for the old Boer republic of the Orange
Free State.
Bloemfontein is the Capital of the province.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is one of the real
highlights of the Free State. Its main attractions are the
massive, colourful sandstone formations, which reflect the
evening sun in shades of Golden Yellow, and from which the
area takes its name. The vegetation in the nature reserve
consists mainly of indigenous grassland. Long hiking paths
lead through this quiet mountain world.
The Eastern Free State
my little whisper in your ear (editor)
The Eastern Free State is a fantastic alternative route
off the main coastal drag. From Sani
Lodge or Molumong
drive to Winterton and on the R600 to Inkosana
Lodge in the Champagne
Valley. From Winterton take the R74 north over the Oliviershoek
Pass and past the Sterkfontein Dam Nature reserve. At the
T-junction turn left on the R712 through the awesome Golden
Gate National Park and onto Clarens . Clarens is a wonderful
town filled with artists that lend it a bohemian atmosphere
(in a Free-State Sandstone manner of speaking). From Clarens
take the R711 onto the R26 at Fouriesburg through Ficksbug
to Clocolan. From Ladybrand head to Lesotho through Maseru
to Malealea.
From Malealea you can head back into South Africa and take
the N8 to Bloemfontein or continue on the R26 joining the
N6 to East London. From the N6 you can also turn-off onto
the R67 at Queenstown to get to Away
With the Fairies in the magnificent Hogsback.
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital of the Free State and the seat
of the South African constitutional court. Bloemfontein
was established in the 1850's as the capital of the Orange
Free State Boer republic, translated its name literally
means 'fountain of flowers', it has always been the commercial
centre for the vast commercial farmlands which surround
it. The Judiciary brought to Bloemfontein (other than a
flourishing legal community) many auspicious sandstone buildings.
Together with the Judiciary Bloemfontein also houses a large
military barracks and a major University. |
