Living in Bethulie

BETHULIE

the undiscovered gem of the southern free state

Bethulie, proclaimed in 1863, is situated in the middle of South Africa, approximately 600 kms from Johannesburg, 800kms from Cape Town and 500kms from Port Elizabeth and East London, making it almost halfway between Jhb and CT and en route to the magnificent Eastern Cape coastal region. The town is situated just off the main road and rail routes between these centers. This historical town  lies between the northern shores of the largest inland fresh water mass in South Africa (360km2) - Lake Gariep, and the edges of the Southern Free State koppies – the beginnings of the awesome Karoo landscape, offering outlying countryside that is spectacularly beautiful with open Karoo skies as well as incredible sunrises and sunsets. Sheep, game and horse farms surround the town.

Bethulie is an ideal stopover for the weary traveler or history enthusiast as it is the 2nd oldest town in the Free State Province, has numerous Anglo Boer war sites, the 3rd largest Concentration Camp, many dinosaur fossil deposits and the longest rail/road bridge in SA. Because of it’s location to Lake Gariep it is a premium water related sports location. The town has much to offer.  People are keen on sport with tennis, golf, bowls, squash, angling and cycling being the most popular and there is a country club and a swimming pool.  There are schools, libraries, an old-age home, restaurants, a good clinic and most churches are represented here. Archeologically, it is very interesting with important fossil sites commanding attention worldwide. There is an abundance of accommodation establishments and eateries located in the town. Tourism plays an important role in the area. A number of national and international sporting events take place in the vicinity. The Gariep Nature Reserve and Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve are on its doorstep.

Bethulie, along with eight other towns, is managed by Kopanong Municipality with offices in Trompsberg.  There is a Municipal sub-office in the town. Residents have formed a Ratepayers’ Association.  Projects which potentially will impact very positively on the growth of the town have been planned. There is a large and visible police force, as the Bethulie office is the centre of policing for the region.  The population is about 18000 people.

Interest in the revitalization of the Bethulie Dam resort is lively and it could become, once again, a major attraction in the area.  Development of the tourism potential around Lake Gariep is planned as a co-operative project between three Provinces and various stakeholders and they are establishing an Environmental Economic Development Zone with ecotourism to be the main thrust.  Three provincial game reserves are to be amalgamated into a conservation area in excess of 85 000 hectares.   The activities planned within the protected areas of Lake Gariep include game viewing by private vehicle, walking trails under the supervision of professional guides, angling, ornithology and simply the exploration of wild and unspoiled landscapes.

The climate is extreme – cold, sunny winters, very hot summers with summer rainfall.  Spectacular thunderstorms provide relief from the hot, summer days. The air is clean and healthy – there is no pollution. The town is small enough for cars to be used minimally – bicycles are a great form of transport.   It is a village full of trees; wild olives and pepper trees are abundant. 

If it is the slow, laid back country life, where the main activity is sitting on your stoep watching the passing foot and motorized traffic pass you by, then this is the town for you. Attractive to retirees, persons wishing to obtain that ideal weekend, country getaway, an individual wishing to embark on a business venture in the country side or simply wishing to get your foot in, in the lucrative property market, you have come to the right town.

If dusty side streets, Victorian architecture, karoo “dorpshuisies” and the quiet weekend life, where businesses close in the afternoons to enjoy their weekend afternoon siesta’s, you have found your dream town.

Come and join us in this “back to basics” country lifestyle, where stress, deadlines, rush hour traffic and the demanding lifestyle of the city are things unheard of.