Six Things to do in Hartbeespoort

Hartbeespoort is a quaint town situated in the North West province of South Africa. It is commonly and affectionately known to locals as “Harties”. Hartbeespoort is located approximately seventy kilometres from Johannesburg and is an easy one hour drive away from the city. It’s a destination that has a variety of activities available and is a buzz on the weekends with many people making the short journey to the town. I’ve put together a list of the six things to do in Hartbesspoort with many of these being absolute must sees. 

1. Hartbeespoort Cableway

Your first stop should definitely be the Harties Aerial Cableway. It offers a return cable car ride to the Magaliesburg Mountain. The adventure is not only in the actual cable car ride, which is an exciting experience on its own. Once atop the mountain, you can enjoy scenic views of the Hartbeespoort Dam, the town of Magaliesburg as well as Hartbeespoort itself. Other activities on offer at the top of the mountain include a hiking trail of approximately a kilometre or so, restaurants to relax and digest the breathtaking views, a kids play area and a souvenir shop to purchase a keepsake. Further outdoor activities on offer include mountain biking and paragliding. 

Where:

Plot 3, Melodie, Agricultural Holdings, Hartbeespoort

Cost:

Adults – R240 per person return; Children – R140 per child return; Pensioners – R130 per person (proof of identification required)  

Book your ticket to the Cableway here and check out some of the other activities available:

Times:

Sunday – Friday: 09:00 am to 16:00 pm with the last car down at 16:30 pm 

Saturday: 09:00 am to 16:30 pm with the last car down at 17:00 pm 

Items to carry:

Sunglasses, Hat, Sunscreen and a camera for the views 

Website:

Harties Cableway (Please check out their website for updates as weather may affect the times and prices are subject to change) 

Quick Tip: The cable car is in constant motion even when it is time to hop in and hop off so remember to keep this in mind when its your turn. Each cable car accommodates between four to six people. 

2. Little Paris 

This hidden gem is located on one of the main streets in Hartbeespoort. Little Paris consists amongst other things a clothing boutique, deli, a gift shop and a French styled restaurant. However the main reason it is so popular and for its name is because of the miniature version of the “Eiffel Tower” hidden at the end of a lake which are covered with “lover’s locks”. The entrance to the tower is filled with different coloured locks adorning the railing of the lake. These locks can be purchased on the premises with the sizes varying. Couples can also have their initials engraved on the lock prior to placing them in a favourite spot. You can walk across the little bridge and around the tower enjoying views of the lake. It’s an ideal “Instagram” spot with its photographic and appealing charm. 

• 

• 

Where:

R511, Hartbeespoort, 0216

Cost:

Entrance is free for everyone

Times:

Monday – Sunday: 08:00 am to 17:00 pm    

Items to carry:

A pretty outfit and a camera for all your stunning pics 

Quick Tip: This place gets exceptionally busy with everyone wanting to take their pictures in front of the tower. So its best to get there early to avoid waiting a long time for your chance to take a photo.   

3. French Toast Koffie Kafee 

Following on from Little Paris, the cafe located on the premises was specifically built as a set for the movie French Toast and is known as Cafe Alexandre in the movie. It is a definite must try and offers a delicious menu of both sweet and savoury variations of French toast. I would suggest you try their milkshakes on offer, which are delicious. They also have their “milkshake of the day” which differs daily. You will have to ask the waiter what’s available on the day.

Another must have is their croissants, the butter croissants are out of the ordinary and are accompanied by butter, jam, cheese and cream. There are also chocolate croissants which are filled with Belgian chocolate and served with ice-cream.

• 

• 

The staff are friendly and delightful and its a lovely experience. Each table has a little “Eiffel Tower” as a centre piece and the interior of the cafe makes you feel like you are in the depths of Paris. Depending on whether you have a sweet tooth or not, there is something for everyone and its an absolute must have, you won’t regret it.  

• 

• 

Where:

97, R511 Hartbeespoort Hartbeespoort Dam, 0216

Cost:

Free

Times:

Monday – Sunday: 08:00 am to 17:00 pm    

Items to carry:

A camera to capture the gorgeous interior and scrumptious food 

Website:

French Toast (Please check out their website for menu and price changes) 

• 

• 

If you are enjoying this post, check out the post on the 8 Things to Do on your First Trip in Cape Town, which gives you a guide on the 8 must-see things to do on your first trip to the Mother City.

4. Hartbeespoort Dam

One of the more iconic “landmarks” or attractions is the dam itself. Practically the dam is used primarily for irrigation as well as for both domestic and industrial use. The dam is arched shaped and is situated in the Magaliesburg mountain range. The entryway to the dam is along a curved tunnel. There is no parking allowed at this point of the dam. You will have to park your vehicle in vacant spots across the tunnel from the dam and walk over to this point of dam. At the dam you can take pleasure in the views and snap some pics. There are numerous activities of offer at the dam which include water sports, boat cruises, hikes and a snake and animal park. So there will definitely be something for all.   

Where:

Hartbeespoort Dam, Hartbeespoort, 0216

Cost:

Free at lookout point, Entrance fees differ for different activities 

Times:

Differs according to activity selected 

Items to carry:

Sunscreen and a camera 

Website:

Hartbeespoort Dam (Please see their website for other activities on offer) 

5. Windmill / Jasmyn Farm Stall 

Situated in Meerhof, you will notice a large Dutch Windmill building and this is where you will find the Windmill Restaurant, a Waffle House, Jasmyn Farm Stall and a few other stalls and stores. A must visit here is the waffle house, they create both sweet and savoury waffles and also offer a delectable milkshake topped with a waffle. It’s refreshing and very filling.

Want a FREE South African Bucket List?

Subscribe below to The Roaming Taster Newsletter and receive a FREE South African Bucket List. You will also gain access to travel guides and tips from South Africa and around the world by joining the community.

Another stop will definitely be Jasmyn Farm Stall, this is a mainly fresh produce store and sells fruit and vegetable at ridiculously low prices. They also have on offer many imported goods so you are sure to find something you like. You will most certainly want to take a picture in front of the iconic building as it makes a gorgeous backdrop. There is also a kids play area so it’s a sure visit for the kids. 

Where:

1 Jan Smuts Road, Meerhof, Hartbeespoort, 0216

Cost:

Free 

Times:

Monday to Sunday: 08:00am to 17:30pm 

Items to carry:

Cash if you are going to be purchasing from one of the crafters stalls as not all vendors have card machine facilities. 

Quick tip: This should be one of the last stops on your trip if you are going to purchase any fresh produce to prevent spoilage.  

6. Chameleon Village 

Chameleon Village is a destination filled with a variety of family activities. These include a large African craft market, shops, snake and reptile park, lion and tiger park and various restaurants. The craft market offers a wide range of locally made goods where you can find a souvenir for yourself or your family and friends. There are ample parking spots available and it is situated on the main road so its easily accessible. You can easily spend a few hours just at this village before venturing to the other spots on this list. 

Where:

Chameleon Village R104 Old Rustenburg rd Damdoryn, Hartbeespoort, 0216

Cost:

Free to enter. Entrance fees differ for different activities.  

Times:

Monday to Sunday: 08:00am to 17:00pm 

Items to carry:

Cash for the craft market, as not all vendors have card facilities available. 

Website:

Chameleon Village 

Quick tip:  This place gets very busy so its best to get there early or later in the afternoon to avoid the rush. 

Below is a map which contains the markers for the places you have to visit in Hartbeespoort as well as the directions to travel from one destination to another.

What did you think of the list of things to do in Hartbeespoort? So do you have more to add on? Let me know in the comments below. 

So if you enjoyed this post, check out my previous post on the  5 Things to do at The Spice Route which gives you a great illustrative itinerary for five things to do at The Spice Route in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. 

* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *