A 5-day scenic circuit from Johannesburg through the art haven of Clarens, Golden Gate sandstone cliffs, and the Drakensberg foothills.
Estimated cost
R10,375estimated total
Stays
R4,755
Fuel
R1,300
Food
R3,420
Other
R900
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
108 km1h 18mDepart 19:31
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Drive 106 km in ~1h 14min via N1 south and R59 from Johannesburg directly into the historic riverside town of Parys.
106 km1h 14m
1
Food
O'S Restaurant Parys
Parys, South Africa
20:45–21:451h hereR320
Riverside dining overlooking the Vaal River
Park in the secure lot off Boom Street. Reserve a terrace table overlooking the water and order the grilled kingklip or slow-cooked Karoo lamb shank.
Drive 2 km in ~5min along Boom Street to Waterfront Guest Lodge.
2 km5m
2
Overnight
Waterfront Guest House
Parys, South Africa
21:50–23:552h 5m hereR1,250
Comfortable riverside lodge on the Vaal
Park behind the electronic security gate. Ring the night intercom at the Boom Street entrance for after-hours check-in and room key collection.
Day 2
540 km6h 8mDepart 08:32
After breakfast at Waterfront Guest Lodge, drive 2 km in ~5min into central Parys along Bree Street.
1 km3m
3
Attraction
Bree Street
Parys, South Africa
08:35–09:501h 15m here
Bustling strip of vintage and art stores
Park directly on Bree Street outside the shops. Browse vintage curios, local pottery, and mid-century art along the shaded sidewalks before the drive south.
Drive 164 km in ~1h 57min via R76 and R70 south across rolling highveld grain plains into Bethlehem.
164 km1h 57m
4
Food
The Daily Coffee Cafe Homestead
Hartbeespoort, South Africa
12:35–13:451h 10m hereR190
Bright cafe serving hearty highveld lunches
Park in the secure shopping plaza bays off Cambridge Street. Order the signature biltong-and-feta quiche or gourmet beef burger with rooibos iced tea.
Drive 373 km in ~4h 2min along the scenic R712 towards the towering sandstone formations of Clarens.
373 km4h 2m
5
Activity
Clarens Brewery
Clarens, South Africa
17:47–19:121h 25m hereR180
Pioneering craft brewery and cidery
Park on the village square. Request a tasting paddle featuring their crisp local apple cider and cherry cider alongside the Red Stone ale.
Walk 150 meters across Clarens Square to Windmill Junction.
200 m1m
6
Attraction
Blou Donki Gallery
Clarens, South Africa
19:13–20:231h 10m here
Premier contemporary South African art gallery
Enter from the Windmill Junction arcade. Explore the vibrant oil landscapes and expressive bronze sculptures celebrating southern African wildlife.
Walk 350 meters along Church Street to the cottage grounds.
200 m1m
7
Food
Clementines Restaurant & Bar Clarens
Clarens, South Africa
20:24–21:541h 30m hereR360
Celebrated garden restaurant in a potting shed
Book well ahead for an indoor table near the fireplace. Order the slow-braised lamb pie or crispy duck breast served with spiced seasonal fruit chutney.
Drive 1 km in ~3min through quiet village streets to Sias Oosthuizen Street.
2 km4m
8
Overnight
Mont d'Or Hotel Clarens
Clarens, South Africa
21:58–23:594h 10m hereR1,212
French-manor styled hotel beneath sandstone cliffs
Park in the secure covered bays behind the gate. Check in at the main lobby desk and relax in the lounge beside the stone fireplace.
Day 3
100 km1h 55mDepart 08:30
After breakfast at Mont d'Or Hotel Clarens, drive 25 km in ~27 min eastward via R712 into Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
25 km27m
9
Attraction
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Clarens, South Africa
08:57–11:372h 40m hereR110
Iconic sandstone crag hike with panoramic views
Park at Glen Reenen Rest Camp. Use the fixed safety chains to climb the final slickrock sandstone crest for unmatched valley vistas.
10
Attraction
Basotho Cultural Village
Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
12:12–14:222h 10m hereR130
Living museum of traditional architecture and heritage
Purchase permits at the entrance rondavel. Join the guided walkthrough of decorated Basotho mud-brick huts and taste traditional sorghum beer.
11
Food
Highland Brew
Clarens, South Africa
14:59–15:591h hereR310
12
Activity
Highland Coffee Roastery
Clarens, South Africa
16:10–17:201h 10m hereR95
Artisan micro-roastery on Clarens Square
Park on the paved village square. Order a flat white crafted with single-origin beans and pick up a bag of freshly roasted Maluti blend for home.
Walk 200 meters across the village square to Main Street.
200 m1m
13
Food
The Posthouse Restaurant
Clarens, South Africa
18:30–20:001h 30m hereR310
Cozy heritage eatery serving hearty pub cuisine
Reserve a table on the enclosed heated porch. Order the prime beef fillet with Madagascar green peppercorn sauce or the crispy pork belly.
◆
Mont d'Or Hotel Clarens · Overnight
Day 4
127 km2h 4mDepart 08:30
After breakfast at Mont d'Or Hotel Clarens, check out and drive 90 km in ~1h 13min via R712 past QwaQwa towards Harrismith.
90 km1h 13m
14
Attraction
Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve
iNtabazwe, South Africa
09:43–11:482h 5m hereR60
Crystal-blue mountain reservoir ringed by peaks
Pay the conservation fee at the boom gate. Walk the scenic rocky promontory overlooking the turquoise water backed by the northern Drakensberg wall.
Drive 26 km in ~26 min northeast via R74 into Harrismith town center.
26 km26m
15
Food
Panarottis Bergview
iNtabazwe, South Africa
12:14–13:291h 15m hereR210
Local grill known for wood-fired pizzas and steaks
Park along Warden Street outside the entrance. Choose the wood-fired biltong-and-sweet-chilli pizza or chargrilled rump steak with country fries.
Drive 5.1 km in ~11 min up the winding access road toward the Platberg plateau.
5 km11m
16
Attraction
platberg eco park in harrismith
iNtabazwe, South Africa
13:40–15:402h hereR40
Table-top mountain lookout over the eastern Free State
Park at the upper trail turnaround. Walk along the flat mountain edge paths to view the dramatic drop-offs and distant peaks of the Drakensberg range.
Drive 3.5 km in ~8 min down from Platberg into central Harrismith.
4 km8m
17
Attraction
Harrismith Town Hall
iNtabazwe, South Africa
15:48–17:031h 15m here
Grand Edwardian sandstone civic building and fossil tree
Park in the marked municipal bays on Piet Retief Street. Inspect the 250-million-year-old petrified tree fossil mounted on the manicured front lawn.
Drive 2 km in ~5min along McKechnie Street to Sir Harry's.
2 km4m
18
Food
Rocky Mountain Spur
iNtabazwe, South Africa
18:15–19:451h 30m hereR290
Classic Free State steakhouse with rich regional dishes
Park in the secure on-site lot. Order the grilled Karoo lamb cutlets or the sirloin topped with mushroom sauce, paired with a local craft cider.
Drive 2 km in ~5min along the quiet suburban connector to Mountainview Inn.
400 m2m
19
Overnight
Mountainview Inn Accommodation
iNtabazwe, South Africa
19:55–23:594h hereR1,082
Pleasant inn positioned at the foot of Platberg
Park in the gated bay directly outside your unit. Check in at reception and enjoy the quiet mountain backdrop before tomorrow's return drive.
Day 5
303 km3h 33mDepart 08:30
After breakfast at Mountainview Inn, check out and drive 220 km in ~2h 21min northwest via the N3 motorway into historic Heidelberg.
220 km2h 21m
20
Attraction
Heidelberg Heritage Museum
Heidelberg, South Africa
10:51–12:211h 30m hereR50
Restored Victorian railway station and transport museum
Park in the visitor bays off Voortrekker Street. Walk through the vintage steam locomotive sheds and gold-mining relics from the late 19th century.
21
Food
Rasam Tandoori Indian Restaurant & Takeaways
Heidelberg - GP, South Africa
12:25–13:251h hereR310
22
Attraction
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
Gauteng, South Africa
13:47–16:172h 30m hereR70
Sprawling quartzite ridge reserve teeming with wildlife
Pay vehicle and conservation entry at Diepkloof gate. Take the paved scenic loop to spot black wildebeest, blesbok, and mountain zebras in the hills.
56 km46m
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Book your dinner at Clementines in Clarens before setting off, as it fills days in advance on spring weekends.
- 2Fill your fuel tank in Bethlehem or Harrismith where fuel prices and service stations are more dependable than in rural villages.
- 3Check Clarens Brewery opening hours on arrival and schedule tastings before late afternoon crowds peak.
- 4Carry exact cash or a debit card for nature reserve and national park conservation entry fees.
Good to know
- 1N1 and N3 highways carry toll plazas that accept standard bank cards, but keep cash on hand in case card machines are offline.
- 2Watch for deep potholes and roaming livestock on rural secondary roads like the R76 and R712 between towns.
- 3Avoid driving late at night through rural Free State corridors due to unlit livestock, sudden potholes, and heavy truck freight.
- 4Spring weather in the Maluti foothills can change rapidly from warm sunshine to gusty cold winds and thunderstorms within an hour.
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