Until 1984, the Old Blackstone Power Station supplied Willowmore with electricity. Together with the town’s many historic buildings, some of which date back to the 19th century, this former role in supplying electricity gives the town’s history a clear point of reference in time. At the same time, the Pierre Ferreira Hiking Trail, a circular route through succulent-rich Karoo veld, and a distinctive tree formation nearby offer other themes to explore.

Town history and historic buildings

The Historical Graveyard is part of Willowmore’s early history. The restored old Boer cemetery in Willowmore contains graves dating from the Anglo-Boer War. Its historical connections thus span the town’s early history and specific traces of wartime. The synagogue was built in 1980, is no longer in use and can be viewed from the outside. The year the synagogue was built and the end of the Old Blackstone Power Station’s electricity supply are close together in time: 1980 marks the construction of the synagogue, while 1984 marks the final year the power station supplied Willowmore with electricity. The year of construction and the end of a supply function can thus be read as distinct points in time.

Hiking and donkey-cart rides

The Pierre Ferreira Hiking Trail is a circular route through succulent-rich Karoo veld and passes two old forts from the time of the Boer War. It is considered an easy hike taking two to three hours; early morning or late afternoon is recommended. The duration makes the circuit a self-contained activity lasting several hours, while the recommended times of day can help with planning. The landscape and the forts represent two aspects of the same hike: the vegetation of the Karoo veld and historic wartime structures.

The Willow Limo offers donkey-cart rides through the streets of Willowmore. In contrast to the hike, this is a ride in town rather than a circular route through Karoo veld. If you would like to make the ride a firm part of your plans, check current availability in advance.

Die Wonderboom and crafts in the wider travel region

Die Wonderboom is near Willowmore, 12 km along the N9 in the direction of Aberdeen. A Ghwarrie tree (Eudea undulate) and a Shepherd’s Tree (Boscia oleolides), also called Karoo witgat, grow side by side there. The Shepherd’s Tree has three trunks: two form a “needle’s eye” through which the third grows like a thread. Unlike the forts on the trail, Die Wonderboom highlights plant species and an unusual growth form.

In the wider travel region, the Vondeling Optel Craft project began in 2006 in the village of Vondeling in the Baviaans area of the Karoo semi-desert in South Africa. Rietbron Craft joined the project in 2015; the two craft groups then continued their work under the name Karoo Angels, with two branches. The sequence is clear in time: the project began in Vondeling, Rietbron Craft joined later, and the groups continued together under the name Karoo Angels. The project’s history thus complements the local cultural focus with a regional craft connection.

Discover more destinations: Cape Saint Francis, Alexandria, Sidbury, Oyster Bay, Weston, Bathurst, St Francis Bay, The Haven

For the broader travel overview: Western District.