Underrated inland escapes for the off-season traveller

In a country famous for its coastlines, inland towns often play second fiddle. Yet these lesser-travelled spots—dusted in history, edged by open skies, and seasoned with true South African soul—offer the kind of off-season magic you won’t find on the beaten track.

From the icy clarity of the Karoo night sky to warm bread in a small-town bakery, these places reward the traveller who slows down and leans in. If you’re seeking silence, character, affordability, and unexpected charm, here’s where to go—province by province.

Free State

Philippolis

Philippolis, one of the Free State’s oldest towns, is known as the birthplace of writer Sir Laurens van der Post, actress Brümilda van Rensburg, and Springbok Adriaan Strauss. It was among the first colonial settlements in the region.

Highlights:

• Transgariep Museum and Emily Hobhouse House

• Artist retreats and Karoo cottages

• Dramatic sunsets and fossil-strewn plains

Seasonal charm: Cold, dry winters with piercing stars and quiet streets

Rosendal

Rosendal is a small Free State town turned arts haven, set against the Witteberg mountains near Ficksburg. Known for its restored heritage homes, art galleries, and cosy eateries, it’s also gained fame as South Africa’s “tiny home capital.” A creative community of artists and small business owners has brought new life to this quiet farming village.

Highlights:

• Meander through galleries and studios

• Sample sourdough at the local bakery

• Stay in converted farmhouses with moody mountain views

Eastern Cape

Steynsburg/Rute Martins of Leoa’s Photography (www.leoa.co.za)/Wikimedia Commons

Steynsburg

Tucked into the mountains of the Eastern Cape, Steynsburg is a peaceful village with a long sheep-farming history dating back to 1872. Named after President Paul Kruger’s grandfather, it offers big Karoo properties, mountain views, and small-town charm—attracting new residents seeking space and tranquillity.

Highlights:

• Oom Paul Kruger’s boyhood home

• Stoep-side chats with locals

• Endless, open Karoo landscapes

Tarkastad

Tarkastad is a Karoo town in the Eastern Cape, nestled along the Tarka River beneath the Winterberg mountains. Located on the R61 between Cradock and Komani, it’s just three hours from Gqeberha. The town’s name may stem from Khoi, Celtic, and Afrikaans roots, with local peaks ‘Martha and Mary’ said to resemble two women resting, adding charm to its origin story.

Highlights:

• Birdwatching, hiking, and horseback riding

• Characterful accommodation in old rectories and cottages

• An excellent base for Karoo photography

Mpumalanga

Chrissiesmeer

Chrissiesmeer, in Mpumalanga’s lake district near Carolina, sits beside Lake Chrissie and is surrounded by over 270 lakes. Once home to the San and Tlou-tle people, the area now draws around 20,000 flamingos each year, making it a quiet haven for birders and nature lovers.

Highlights:

• Flamingo spotting and bird hides

• Quaint antique shops and tea gardens

• Historic sandstone churches

Dullstroom (off-peak)

Flyfishing in Dullstroom/Bougnat87/Wikimedia Commons

Dullstroom is a charming Mpumalanga town known for world-class trout fishing, crisp winters, and misty scenery. Since 1916, its rivers have drawn anglers from near and far, and today fly-fishing and trout breeding anchor the local economy. Beyond the water, Boer War memorials offer a window into its past, making Dullstroom a peaceful retreat rich in both history and outdoor appeal.

Highlights:

• Fly-fishing, whisky tasting, and fireside meals

• Nature reserves and hiking trails

• Cosy self-catering cabins and fine dining at a slower pace

Limpopo

Magoebaskloof/South African Tourism/Wikimedia Commons

Magoebaskloof (outside peak season)

Magoebaskloof, meaning “Makgoba’s ravine,” is a lush mountain pass in Limpopo between Tzaneen and Haenertsburg. Once home to Chief Makgoba’s kingdom, the area now draws visitors for its misty forests, scenic trails, waterfalls like Debengeni, and tranquil mountain escapes.

Highlights:

• Cheerio Gardens and woodsy hikes

• Farm stalls and trout farms

• Self-catering log cabins in the mist

Alldays

Alldays is a remote Limpopo town surrounded by game farms, Mopane bushveld, and citrus orchards along the Limpopo River. It’s near the Blouberg mountains—popular with climbers—and the Venetia Diamond Mine, South Africa’s largest. Known for its big skies and wild beauty, Alldays offers a rugged escape into the bush.

Highlights:

• Proximity to the Mapungubwe Heritage Site

• Stark bushveld beauty and baobab trees

• Unique game viewing without high-end price tags

Gauteng

One of the Sandstone houses in Cullinan that has now been converted to a tourist store/Morne Botha/Wikimedia Commons

Cullinan

Cullinan, just 30 km east of Pretoria, is a historic mining town named after diamond magnate Sir Thomas Cullinan. Best known for the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond, it now thrives on tourism, with guided tours of the mine, town, and even underground shafts offered on foot or in open vehicles.

Highlights:

• Mine tours and heritage walks

• Quirky shops and tea rooms

• Ideal for a midweek escape from Pretoria or Joburg

Heidelberg

NG Kerk Heidelberg/Peet Schabort/Wikimedia Commons

Heidelberg is a heritage-rich town in Gauteng, about 50 km southeast of Johannesburg, near the Mpumalanga border. Founded in 1862 by German trader Heinrich Ueckermann, it sits beside the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and offers easy access via the N3. Once home to the Bakwena, the town blends cultural history with natural beauty.

Highlights:

North West

Groot Marico/South African Tourism/Wikimedia Commons

Groot Marico

Groot Marico is a tiny North West hamlet named after the Marico River, known for its rustic charm and slow pace. Once famous for its manual phone exchange, it now hosts an annual arts festival and mountain bike race, drawing visitors with its blend of heritage, storytelling, and countryside appeal.

Highlights:

• Mampoer tastings and donkey cart rides

• River swimming and bushveld sunsets

• Literary pilgrimages and farm stays

Zeerust

Street vendors in Zeerust/Ossewa/Wikimedia Commons

A gateway to the Botswana border and a cultural crossroads. Zeerust is a bustling town in North West’s Marico Valley, about 240 km from Johannesburg on the N4 route to Botswana. Surrounded by cattle farms, crop fields, and mineral mines, it’s also a gateway for travellers exploring the borderlands, with tourism on the rise.

Highlights:

Northern Cape

Spring flowers near Loeriesfontein/Mrs Gezina Louw/Wikimedia Commons

Loeriesfontein

Loeriesfontein is a small Northern Cape town in the Hantam region, surrounded by rugged mountains and just 120 km from Brandvlei. Bordering Namaqualand, it bursts into colour each spring with thousands of wildflower species, drawing nature lovers from around the world.

Highlights:

Noupoort

Museum Old Anglican Church/Andrew Hall/Wikimedia Commons

Noupoort, once a busy railway hub in the Karoo, lies on the N9 between Hanover and the Eastern Cape border. In the 1920s, over 85 trains passed daily, linking Cape Town, Namibia, and Kimberley. Today, it remains a key train changeover point and features a notable Anglo-Boer War blockhouse.

Highlights:

• Local ghost stories and railway lore

• Snow-dusted winters and stony vistas

• Affordable accommodation in soulful settings

KwaZulu-Natal (Inland)

Roger O’Neill/Wikimedia Commons

Mooi River

Mooi River, nestled in the Natal Midlands 160 km from Durban, offers a peaceful escape surrounded by rolling farmland and the scenic Mooi River (“pretty river”). Known for fly-fishing, boating, and the impressive Mooi River Falls, the area is part of the popular Midlands Meander arts route. Nearby, explore award-winning racehorse studs, historic museums, and outdoor spots like Craigieburn Dam for camping and picnics.

Highlights:

• Country drives, wool shops, and riverside inns

• Visit nearby farms for cheese and honey tastings

• Cosy up in stone cottages with views of the Drakensberg foothills

Vryheid

Kerkgebou, NG Moedergemeente/JMK/Wikimedia Commons

Vryheid, meaning “freedom,” is a coal mining and beef farming town about 70 km northeast of Dundee in Zululand. Steeped in history, it’s near the Blood River battlefield and features Boer War sites like the Old Raadsaal and Lucas Meyer House. Surrounded by timber plantations and wetlands, it offers great birdwatching, hiking in Vryheid Nature Reserve, and visits to the Klipfontein Bird Sanctuary.

Highlights:

• Zulu-Boer War history

• Spa time at Bivane Dam and Natal Spa

• Mountains, bushveld, and wide skies

Western Cape (Inland)

Suzi-k/Wikimedia Commons

Matjiesfontein

Matjiesfontein is a charming Victorian village just off the N1 in the Klein Karoo. Known for its historic white-washed buildings and the colonial Lord Milner Hotel, it was once a health resort for the elite, including Cecil John Rhodes. Now a national monument, the town offers quirky attractions like a hilarious double-decker bus tour and the cosy, fireplace-warmed Laird’s Arms Bar. A night here is a step back in time—and well worth the detour.

Highlights:

• Ride the Red Bus with local legend Johnny

• Stay at Lord Milner Hotel

• Ghost stories, gin bars, and rail nostalgia

Montagu

Route 62 between Montagu and Ashton/Hendrik van den Berg/Wikimedia Commons

Montagu, about 180 km from Cape Town in the Western Little Karoo, is known for its hot mineral springs, scenic mountains, and rich agriculture. Founded in 1851 and named after Cape Colony secretary John Montagu, the town lies where the Keisie and Kingna rivers meet. Nearby, climbers flock to crags like Legoland and The Steeple, while hikers explore Bloupunt Peak and surrounding trails.

Highlights:

• Rock climbing, hiking, and biking trails

• Montagu Museum and mission history

• A gentler pace, even in winter

Why inland off-season travel is worth it

• Accommodation is cheaper, and availability is better

• You avoid crowds while supporting smaller local economies

• The climate is often clearer, drier and perfect for stargazing or fireside stays

• These places reward stillness, curiosity, and meaningful connection

Trip tips:

• Plot a loop: Combine several towns into a self-drive route

• Stay local: Choose family-run guesthouses and heritage lodges

• Pack well: Inland winters can bring frost, wind, and 25°C afternoons—layer up

• Talk to locals: Your best tips may come over a plate of boerekos or a petrol stop

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