Property│Spotlight on Cradock
Most of the migration during the Great Trek started around Cradock. The area was originally intended to be a Boer fort to contain the Xhosa who were competing for grazing ground for cattle.
This relaxed Karoo town today produces some of the best mohair and lamb in the country.
Construction of the Orange-Fish River Tunnel was of great importance to the town’s economic development and had a big impact on households and local industry.
Completed in 1975 and 83km in length, the tunnel diverts water from the Gariep Dam on the Orange River to the Great Fish River and then onto the Sundays River Valley, Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth for irrigation.
The tunnel also led to the establishment of the annual Fish River Canoe Marathon, which attracts more than 1,500 paddlers from all over the world.
Other interesting events in the area include the annual Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival, the Karoo Food Festival and the Cradock Show, with its saddle horses a particular highlight.
Thousands of visitors flock to the Mountain Zebra National Park outside town every year, while others come to pay their respects at the Cradock Four Monument and Garden of Remembrance.
Visitors are also attracted by the numerous historic buildings in the area, such as the Dutch Reformed Mother Church, a national monument designed to look like London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields church, and the Olive Schreiner House Museum, devoted to the author’s life and works.
Schreiner is said to have written the novel The Story of an African Farm while working as a governess on farms in the district, and she spent much of her early life in Cradock.
The restored Old Water Mill and the Great Fish River Museum are also favoured by visitors, and Die Tuishuise and Victoria Manor has been beautifully restored to offer unique accommodation.
Cradock provides an authentic taste of country living and is a pleasing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
“I love the fresh air, beautiful mountain scenery, nature, the big backyards, the fruit trees, the architecture and the farmstyle feel. I love that we know everyone, but the day-to-day kindness is most important to me and I don’t want, or need, to live anywhere else in the world. This is home!” says resident Lisa Ker.
Property prices
You can expect to pay in the region of R688000 for a typical three-bedroomed house. There are very few flats in Cradock, wiht 92% of the stock in houses.
For a 20-year bond on R688,000, you would pay R6,754 per month at 10.5% prime.
Dine out
True Living: for great South African cuisine
Daggaboer Farm Stall: for delicious baked goods
Buffalo Dan’s: for juicy steaks
Albert Restaurant at Die Tuishuise and Victoria Manor: for a fantastic dinner
The Olde Maple Shed: for great breakfasts
Mila’s: for yummy pizza
Area attractions
Mountain Zebra National Park
Schreiner House Museum
Fish River Museum
Dutch Reformed Mother Church
Cat Conservation Trust
Orange Grove Karoo
Cradock Four monument and Garden of Remembrance
Stay over
Die Tuishuise and Victoria Manor
White Rose Guest House
Annie’s Guest House
Fish River Cottages
Heritage House Bed and Breakfast
