A giant shoe, an improbable pub at the top of a treacherous pass, and a fibreglass pineapple might not sound like tourism gold, but in South Africa, quirky roadside attractions often become the beating hearts of small-town economies.
These sites invite travellers to pull over, snap a photo, and linger longer than planned. In some cases, they’ve sparked local revival or put lesser-known places on the tourism map. Here are a few offbeat stops worth the detour.
The Big Pineapple – Bathurst, Eastern Cape
Picture/2 Summers/Heather Mason
At 16.7 metres tall, Bathurst’s Big Pineapple stands as the largest in the world—and it’s not just for show. Built in the 1980s to celebrate the area’s pineapple farming heritage, it houses a museum, a viewing platform, and a gift shop stocked with local preserves. More than a photo op, the attraction helped define Bathurst’s quirky personality and gave road-trippers a reason to stop in what might have been a blink-and-you-will-miss-it town.
Highest Pub in Africa – Sani Pass, KwaZulu-Natal (Lesotho border)
Picture/Tripadvisor
At 2,874 metres above sea level, the pub at Sani Mountain Lodge holds bragging rights as the Highest Pub in Africa. Reaching it requires a rugged 4×4 drive up the famous Sani Pass—an adventure in itself. What began as a stop for weary travellers became a bucket-list destination, attracting thrill-seekers and day-trippers alike. Its fame has helped boost tourism to both the pass and nearby Underberg, encouraging the growth of local guesthouses, guiding services and cafés.
Giant Post Box – Calvinia, Northern Cape
Picture/Daily Maverick
In Calvinia, the oversized red post box isn’t just a roadside novelty—it actually works. Once a water tower, it was transformed into a whimsical postal attraction that accepts real mail. As one of the few active tourist draws in this quiet Karoo town, the post box has helped Calvinia remain on the route for flower chasers, Karoo road-trippers and fans of small-town nostalgia.
ALSO READ: Where to go for coffee, biltong & olive tastings in South Africa
The Post Office Tree – Mossel Bay, Western Cape
Picture/The Saunter
Before there were GPS coordinates and WhatsApp pins, there was the Post Office Tree. In 1500, a Portuguese sailor left a letter under a milkwood tree for the next ship to collect. That tree still stands in Mossel Bay and is now a declared national monument. Visitors can post letters from a boot-shaped post box nearby, stamped with a special commemorative mark. As one of Mossel Bay’s earliest tourism draws, it helped anchor the town’s appeal as a place steeped in maritime history.
The Owl House – Nieu-Bethesda, Eastern Cape
Karoo Heartland/Owl House/Nieu-Bethesda
What began as a private, eccentric project by outsider artist Helen Martins became a pilgrimage site for art lovers. Her home, now known as the Owl House, is a surreal sculpture garden of glass, concrete and light. Its growing cult status revived Nieu-Bethesda, turning it into a destination for artistic retreats, festivals, and guesthouse stays. Without it, the village may well have faded into obscurity.
The Biggest Chair in Africa – Robertson, Western Cape
Picture/The Insider SA
Towering over Route 60, Robertson’s giant red chair outside the Rooiberg Winery has become an Instagram favourite. Initially designed as a simple roadside marketing stunt, it has since become a landmark. The 9m chair is decked with its own table and chairs. Tourists pull over, stretch their legs, snap a photo, and often end up staying for a wine tasting or lunch. It’s helped reposition Robertson not just as a wine destination, but as a playful and family-friendly stop on the route.
Ronnies Sex Shop – Route 62, Western Cape
Picture/Atlas Obscura
What started as a prank—a paint job by friends who added “Sex” to the name of Ronnie’s planned farm stall—became one of Route 62’s most iconic stops. With walls covered in traveller graffiti and underwear hanging from the rafters, this bar in the middle of nowhere now attracts visitors from around the world. It’s living proof that a sense of humour and a roadside bar can spark a tourism legacy.
Fred Turner Windmill Museum – Loeriesfontein, Northern Cape
Picture/SA Venues
Tucked away in the remote Upper Karoo, the Fred Turner Windmill Museum is the only one of its kind in Africa—and one of only two in the world. It boasts more than 30 towering windpumps arranged in a creaking, clattering circle that spins with the desert wind. Named after local historian Fred Turner, the museum celebrates the vital role of wind power in farming and rural life. What started as a preservation project evolved into Loeriesfontein’s key tourism draw, attracting photographers, history buffs and curious travellers making the detour into this stark and soulful part of the Karoo.
Soweto Towers– Orlando, Johannesburg
Picture/Gauteng Tourism Authority/Lizl
What once loomed as industrial relics are now two of Johannesburg’s most recognisable landmarks. The Soweto Towers, former cooling towers of a power station, were transformed into a vibrant canvas of street art and adventure. Today, they’re home to one of the world’s few vertical bungee jumps, as well as paintball, abseiling, and panoramic lift rides. Set against the buzzing backdrop of Soweto, the towers have helped shift perceptions of the area from a historic township to a hub of culture, creativity, and adrenaline-fuelled tourism. They’ve become a proud symbol of how community-driven projects can redefine city skylines.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: Top destinations in Africa for adventure seekers
