Barberton

Barberton the gem of the Lowveld

Barberton is often referred to as the gem of the Lowveld. Barberton is situated in picturesque surroundings and scenic beauty in the De Kaap Valley, where some of the oldest sedimentary rock formations in the world are found. A rich historical and cultural heritage makes Barberton an ideal tourist destination

In the beautiful De Kaap Valley where Barberton is situated, some of the oldest sedimentary rock formations in the world are found. The promise of rich gold deposits lured diggers in their thousands to this valley in the 1880s. Among those who came to the valley were Graham Barber from Natal, and his cousins Fred and Henry Barber.

In June 1884, they found what they named "Barbers Reef" a reef so rich that it sparkled in the sun. A flood of diggers arrived, and a motley collection of shacks, stores and canteens sprang up. On the 24th of June 1884, David Wilson, mining commissioner of Kaapse Hoop, broke a bottle of gin over a rock to christen the town and Barberton was launched on a lively career.

The southernmost town in the Mpumalanga Lowveld region, Barberton is often bypassed by tourists using the N4 highway to and from the area. A mere 45 km from Nelspruit, Barberton offers that little bit extra to make a visit to the lowveld truly memorable. Situated on the slopes of the beautiful Makhonjwa Mountains, this picturesque town dates back to 1884 when the discovery of gold brought thousands of diggers and fortune seekers to the region. In the beautiful De Kaap Valley where Barberton is situated, some of the oldest sedimentary rock formations in the world are found. The promise of rich gold deposits lured diggers in their thousands to this valley in the 1880’s. Among those who came to the valley were Graham Barber from Natal, and his cousins Fred and Henry Barber. In June 1884, they found what they named ‘Barber’s Reef’ – a reef so rich that it sparkled in the sun. A flood of diggers arrived, and a motley collection of shacks, stores and canteens sprang up. On the 24 June 1884, David Wilson, mining commissioner of Kaapse Hoop, broke a bottle of gin over a lump of rock to officially christen the town. Evidence of those wild and wonderful days can still be seen today.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Badplaas 67 km, Blyde River Canyon 150 km, Graskop 150 km, Johannesburg 400 km, Kruger National Park 78 km, Nelspruit 45 km, Pilgrim’s Rest 150 km, Pretoria 350 km, Sabie 150 km, Swaziland 40 km

Altitude: 877 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 755 mm per annum, during summer

Average Temperatures

Summer 32°c; winter 16°c

Banks

Absa (ATM’s 2), Fnb (ATM’s 2), NBS (Agency), Standard (ATM’s 2)

Dams

Shiya-lo-Ngubu, Vygeboom

Mountains

Drakensberg, Makhonjwa Mountains

HISTORICAL VIEW

Aerial Cable Way

Transports coal and asbestos to / from Swaziland. Established in 1938.

Anglican Church

Built in 1924, the church boasts a white quartz pulpit, a font of local verdite. Also a memorial to the Barber family.

Anglo Boer War

Blockhouse

Corner Lee / Judge Street (1901)

Barberton Museum

The museum is Crown Street is open daily. Entrance free of charge. Geology, mining, archaeology and general history.

Belhaven House Museum

A late Victorian, early Edwardian home. Regarded as one of the best house-museums in the country. Guided tours during the week.

Façade of the “De Kaap Stock Exchange”

First gold stock exchange in South Africa, 1887

Garden of Remembrance

Memorial to soldiers and nurses slain in the Anglo-Boer-War, World War II military campsite.

Globe Tavern

Pilgrim Street, built in 1887. Today a boutique and coffee shop

Jock of the Bushveld Statue

Memorial to the remarkable dog, Jock, faithful companion to Sir Percy Fitzpatrick

Lewis and Marks Building

Built in 1887 for Sammy Marks and his cousin Isaac Lewis, first double storey building in the area.

Lodge of St John’s (1884)

New Gothic style Masonic Temple (Scottish)

Rimer’s Creek

Gold was first discovered here in 1884 by Graham Barber. The first gold mill was erected by JC Rimer.

Stopforth House

Wood-and-iron building erected by James Stopforth, a general dealer, in 1886. Guided tours.

Truter House

Kellar Park, period style private home, giant fig tree. Anglo Boer War fencing, first well in Barberton.

First World War Memorial

De Villiers Street, Cenotaph and gun next to post office.

NATURE

Scenic Routes

Barberton Bulembu

A 9 km stretch on the tarred section of the road and 32 km gravel, to the Bulembu border post in Swaziland, where a climb of 800 m provides spectacular views. Considered one of the most scenic drives in southern Africa (Bulpin).

Barberton Mountainland

Shiya-lo-Ngubu Dam

Semi circular route, gravel road off Bulembu road through plantations and natural forests. Exist at on road to Kaapmuiden at Louisville.

Songimvelo Game Reserve

A 49 000 ha reserve boasting many game and bird species – more than 300 species have been recorded.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Daisy Mountain Bike – January

Jock Cycle Race – 3^rd weekend of July

Hansom International Cycle Race – August

Transvaal Paragliding Championships – winter months

Daisy Golf Tournament

Agriculture

Cattle, tea, subtropical fruit and vegetables, tobacco, sugar cane nearby at Malelane.

Curio Shops

Camelot in Crown Street and Ragamuffin in Pilgrim Street

De Brug Ostrich Farm

12 km out on Kaapsehoop Road. Guided tours daily except on Mondays

Forestry

Plantations, Sawmills and woodworking plant

Gold mining and Gold panning Expeditions

Four functioning gold mines

Jerusalemkop Game Farm

Game drives, hiking trails, bird watching

Market Square

Pottery, brass and copperware (Turkish and Russian), ethnic arts and crafts

Microlight Flips

The more adventurous may decide to see Barberton from the air

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Barber’s Trail

New hiking trail, five hours, leading past Barber’s Cottage

Fortuna Mine Tunnel

An easy 2 km walk takes visitors 600 m through the old Fortuna Mine tunnel where geological formations of 4200 million years old can be seen. Another short walk is available at Rose’s Creek.

Gold Nugget Hiking Trail

Rose’s Creek Trail

Pilgrim Street. Short walk into Barberton Nature Reserve

Umvoti and Pioneer Hiking Trail

Start and finish in Barberton

Outdoors

4x4 trails, bird watching, fishing, Vygeboom Dam at Badplaas. Game Drives, Microlight Flips, Paragliding Lone Tree Hill (follow Crown Street), launch site favoured paragliders. Skydiving, Sunset Drives. See the sunset from one of the many picturesque viewpoints while enjoying a glass of wine.

Accommodation in and around Barberton