Diane Coetzer - Weekends Away: In and Around Gauteng

Diane Coetzer

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First published in 2012 by Struik Travel & Heritage
(an imprint of Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd)
Company Reg. No. 1966/003153/07
Wembley Square, First Floor, Solan Road, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
PO Box 1144, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

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Copyright in published edition: Random House Struik 2012
Copyright in text: Diane Coetzer 2012
Copyright in maps: Random House Struik 2012

Publisher: Claudia Dos Santos
Managing editor: Roelien Theron
Editor: Leah van Deventer
Project coordinator: Alana Bolligelo
Designer: Catherine Coetzer

ISBN 978 1 43170 099 8 (Print)
ISBN 978 1 92054 522 2 (ePub)
ISBN 978 1 92054 523 9 (PDF)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and the copyright holder(s).

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book was correct at the time of going to press, some details might since have changed. The authors and publishers accept no responsibility for any consequences, loss, injury, damage or inconvenience sustained by any person using this book.

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Introduction

Gauteng might be the economic heart of South Africa, but its residents know all too well the provinces Cinderella status when it comes to tourism. However, were confident that this little guide will change everyones minds including those Gauteng residents who still hanker after living somewhere else.

Some highlights within Gauteng worth mentioning are the provincial governments Dinokeng Game Reserve (a 18 500-hectare park communally owned by over 270 private landowners, all committed to developing ecotourism), the Magaliesberg (the mountainous evergreen favourite), and the Cradle of Humankind (the famous World Heritage Site chronicling the history of our species).

These gems, and others like them, are overflowing with established and new accommodation options, destinations within striking distance for an effortless weekend break.

As well as having these and other great getaway options on your doorstep, a wonderful feature of living in South Africas smallest province is that you have speedy access to a host of other provinces. The surrounding provinces with which Gauteng shares borders namely the Free State, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga each have their own unique and diverse attractions, giving Gautengers exceptional choice when it comes to leaving the urban sprawl behind (see the regional map overleaf for inspiration).

We have not only listed the many great weekend getaways in and around Gauteng, but we have grouped them thematically too from quick breaks to those centred on family, fishing, romance and so on to assist you in finding a perfect fit.

To make it easy for you, each entry highlights the province its located in as well as website details and contact numbers. Weve also calculated the travel time and distance from the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, just because we love the structure so much, especially when its lit up at night. That said, travel time is of course traffic dependent, and we always recommend that you try and head out early on a Friday to avoid the rush.

At the back of this book you will find an index of sorts, where establishments are listed by province, as well as some generally useful contact numbers.

Much like the province its centred on, use this book as a springboard from which to explore the truly dazzling array of weekend getaways within easy reach of where you live. Once you start digging a little, youll be amazed at what lies on your doorstep.

Diane Coetzer