The discovery of diamonds at Klipdrift on the Vaal River in 1869 drew thousands of prospectors. The area was renamed Barkly West in 1873 after becoming part of the Crown Colony of Griqualand West.
Renowned writer Sarah Gertrude Millin grew up in the district. Her father opened and operated a shop in Barkly West. One of the first towns to be affected by the diamond rush, the district’s economy is driven by stock and irrigation farming and mining. |
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i Tourist Information |
The Town Clerk
Barkly West 8375
Tel 053 531 0673/083 692 1215 |
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Alluvial Diamond Diggings
Licensed prospectors still sift the sand and gravel of the Vaal River for ever elusive diamonds. Guided tours only.Barkly Bridge and Barkly West Museum
North bank, Vaal River. Brought up-country by rail and ox wagon, this steel girdered bridge was the first to ford the Vaal River in 1885. The tollhouse was restored in 2000 as a museum with displays on local geology, archaeology and history.Canteen Kopje
Alluvial diamond diggings from 1870 revealed many archeological sites. An open air display explains the significance of early hand-axe industries (over a million years old).Course of the Vaal River
Characterised by breakwaters where diggers still labour, the river has many pools, rapids, waterfalls and features with odd names, eg Gong Gong, Beaumont’s Folly and Bosman’s Fortune.St Mary’s Anglican Church
St Mary’s Anglican Church Built in 1871, it was the first church on the diamond fields. |
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Featured Accommodation
| 1. |  | | Rooftop Bed and Breakfast | | Tel:053 531 0116
Paul: 083 304 7879
Santonet: 083 579 3186 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Barkly West | |
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| 2. |  | | Rekaofella Holiday Resort | | | Tel:053 531 0626 | | Caravanning and Camping, Barkly West | |
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| 3. | | | Deo Gloria | | | Tel:(053) 531 0786 | | Caravanning and Camping, Barkly West | |
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| 4. | | | Pro Regno | | | Tel:(053) 531 0712 | | Caravanning and Camping, Barkly West | |
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| 5. | | | Barkly West | | | Tel:(053) 531 0671 | | Caravanning and Camping, Barkly West | |
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| 6. | | | Tree Tops | | | Tel:082 694 0059 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Barkly West | |
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 | The Big Hole
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 | Windsorton | Location: 24km, NE
On the banks of the Vaal River, the town started out as Hebron, a miss... read more |
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