The resort town of Hartbeespoort consists of lovely holiday homes and permanent residences around the Hartbeespoort Dam. Informally also known as 'Harties', it is located in the North West Province. Conveniently situated on the slopes of the Magaliesberg mountain and the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam, the town offers both residents and tourists an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The name of the town means 'gateway of the hartbees' (a species of antelope) in Afrikaans. Hartbeespoort is the collective name of a few smaller towns situated around the Hartbeespoort Dam. They include the towns of Meerhof, Ifafi, Melodie, Kosmos and Schoemansville - the oldest neighbourhood in Hartbeespoort.
A brief history of the area
The Broederstroom Archaeological Site (Toppieshoek) reveals that the first Iron Age people arrived in Hartbeespoort around 300 AD and they co-existed with the late Stone Age inhabitants.
In 1896 General Hendrik Schoeman, started the construction of the dam wall in the Crocodile river. Originally calling it Sophia Dam (after his wife) it was estimated to cost a massive £10,000 to build.
In 1913 geological tests were carried out with the possibility of building a dam on the Crocodile River at Hartbeespoort. This was delayed during the rebellion and actual work only started in 1916. However, heavy floods swept through the construction site destroying much of the work that had been done.
In 1923, the dam was finally completed, and it incorporated a hydro-electric power plant which operated for about forty years.
Climate
Hartbeespoort receives about 559mm of rain per year, with the lowest rainfall (0mm) occurring in June and the highest (105mm) in January. The average midday temperatures for Hartbeespoort range from 2.2°C in July (winter) to 28.9°C in January (summer).
Distance from key points (Airport/CBD)
The three closest airports to Hartbeespoort includes Lanseria International Airport, which is 35km (32-minutes) away from Hartbeespoort central, while O.R. Tambo International Airport is 91km (63-minutes) and Pilanesberg International Airport is 109km (90-minutes).
Schools in the area
Xanadu Private School, Hartbeespoort High School, Pecanwood College, Meerhof School, Glenwoods Primary School, Laerskool Generaal Hendrik Schoeman, Montessori Country Kids, Millstream Preparatory, Ennis Thabong School, along with Snippie Kleuterskool are some of the renowned schooling facilities in Hartbeespoort.
Medical facilities
For medical treatment in the area, residents can go to Hartbeespoort Mediese Sentrum / Medical Centre, Hartbeespoort Clinic, Schoemansville Med Centre, Dr Sizani Ngobeni Medical Rooms, Ifafi Pharmacy Clinic, as well as The Islands Medical.
Shopping Malls
The Sediba Plaza offers convenient shopping for the residents of Hartbeespoort, along with Ifafi Centre, Chameleon Village, The Mountain Lake Centre, Dalcos Shopping Centre, Broederstroom T-Junction, Crossroads Damdoryn and Dreiers Centre.
Restaurants
Die Plaas se Gat, Silver Orange Bistro, Siesta Tapas Bar and Bistro, Squires On The Dam, De Vette Mossel, Stef's Table, Laurentina Restaurant, Upperdeck Restaurant, Black Fox Eatery, African Swiss, The Windmill Restaurant, Caravela Restaurante and La Terrazza Restaurant are some of delightful eateries available to residents in Hartbeespoort.
Special Attractions
The Van Gaalen Cheese Farm produces Dutch cheeses using an authentic Dutch method. Visitors can enjoy a cheese tour with flavoured cheeses to sample. You can either have a relaxing lunch in the Al Fresco style restaurant or take a picnic basket to the farm dam. Children can also get up close with the farm animals and play on the jungle gym.
There are several reputable boat companies in Hartbeespoort that offer sightseeing cruises around the dam, while the aerial cableway offers a scenic trip skywards in a gondola. For those who are not afraid of heights, a trip in a hot air balloon will have you sipping sparkling wine while hovering above the treetops of the Magalies River Valley and Magaliesberg range.
The Hartbeespoort Snake and Animal Park offer visitors an assortment of snakes, crocodiles and lizards to view and a selection of other larger animals in a zoo environment.
The exciting ultra-marathon, Om Die Dam (Around the Dam) is a 50 km road race held annually in Hartbeespoort attracting many fitness enthusiasts.
Make Hartbeespoort your home today!
If you crave a tranquil lifestyle with tons of relaxing activities to keep the family occupied the Hartbeespoort is just the place for you. Contact RealNet Hartbeespoort today for more information.
