What to do in Nieu-Bethesda

• Nieu Bethesda

Top 10 Things to do in and around Nieu-Bethesda

• The Owl House – Helen Martin’s creativity conjures up an array of emotions, from wonder and excitement to curiosity and sadness.
• Fossils - 
  • Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre – share the inspiration of several world class palaeontologists growing up in Nieu-Bethesda
  • Ganora Fossil Museum - A large private collection of fossils and a guided fossil walk.
• Church –the grandest edifice in the village, built in 1905 its long Gothic spire sores up into the dazzling Karoo sky.
• Cemetery – graves dating back to the late 1700’s and the Anglo Boer War
• Old Mill – recently restored to working order, one of the few buildings still belonging to the church
• San Rock Art – unique, informative tours on Ganora, working Karoo sheep farm
• Donkey Cart Tour – gather a colourful perspective on village life
• Karoo Craft – support local entrepreneurs in front of the Owlhouse.
• Karoo Books – leaf through a variety of volumes, current or collectible at Dustcovers and The Karoo Lamb
• Karoo Art – several established artists live and work in Nieu-Bethesda, some with studios open to the public

10 Great Karoo Walks in the Camdeboo

• The Compassberg dominating the horizon at 2502m, is well worth a full days walk - or enjoy a variety of easier hikes in the surrounding Sneeuberge
• Five marked hiking trails on Ganora Guestfarm  (click for details)
• Follow the Nieu-Bethesda water furrow – the reason for the village being here
• Circular Village Walk – see the sites of Nieu-Bethesda
• Crag Lizard Walk - at the Valley of Desolation outside Graaff-Reinet
• Walk to the Viewpoint overlooking Nieu-Bethesda
• Eerstefontein Day Walk – in the Camdeboo National Park
• Krugersbaken - the highest peak in the Northern Cape
• Lantern Parade – walk with the Festival of Lights on Old Years Eve in Nieu-Bethesda
• The Gideon Scheepers Trail – in the Camdeboo National Park

10 Engaging Activities in Nieu-Bethesda

• Hiking – see 10 Great Karoo Walks
• Star Gazing – absent street lights and cloudless skies allow the Milky Way to dominate the Great Karoo night
• Birding – is excellent with many Karoo endemics and an accumulation of several hundreds Blue Cranes at their wintering grounds
• “Boetie's” Pub – join the locals for a sundowner or banter over a game of rugby
• Brewery – local beer and goat cheeses
• Pastry – join Andre at “Manna” for ‘better cake and coffee”
• Explore local Boer War history – graves and rock engravings on Ganora.
• Mountain biking
• “stoepsit” at one of the coffee shops
• Arts and craft shopping

10 Places to Eat & Drink in Nieu-Bethesda

• Sneeuberg Brewery – local beer and goat cheeses
• The Ibis Lounge – hearty gourmet Karoo dining.
• “Boetie's” Pub – join the locals for a sundowner or banter over a game of rugby
• Pastry – join Andre at “Manna” for ‘better cake and coffee”
• Auntie Evelyn – “boerekos” home-cooked at her township house
• The Bethesda Arts Centre – a good variety of curries
• The Post Office – great steaks and lemon meringue
• Bruno’s Pizzas – locally designed
• Die Waenhuis – Take aways and restaurant with a la carte menu
• The Village Inn – oldest establishment in the village

10 Unique Buys in Nieu-Bethesda

• Cement owls – support the local crafters
• Local ale – at the Sneeuberg Brewery
• Goats Milk Cheese – at the Sneeuberg Brewery
• Sculptures – Frans Boekooi’s studio
• Ceramics – “Ware on Earth” by Charmaine and Martin Haines
• Home-made Body Products – by Reinet at “The Blue Cupboard” honesty shop
• Karoo Books – new at the Karoo Lamb and previously read at Dustcovers
• Great Karoo garlic – grown by Boetie, the barman at the “Ramstal” Pub
• Hand-made croissants – from Andre at “Manna”
• Embroidery – bags and purses hand-made by local woman, sold at “The Karoo Lamb”