Activities and Attractions Near Absolute Leisure Cottages

Machadodorp village is situated in the heart of the Emakhazeni Highlands of Mpumalanga.

It's the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding attractions: excellent fishing waters, hiking trails, nature reserves, horse riding, and a host of other activities including My Body My Space Rural Arts Festival, geocache treasure hunting. The drive to Dullstroom allows a day to enjoy the restaurants, pubs, art galleries, plenty of retail therapy and the world-renowned Bird of Prey Centre.

Activities and Attractions

Horse Riding

Hiking Trails

Spa Treatments

Fly Fishing

Birding - Bird Watching

History - Battlefields Tours

About Machadodorp

The roads from Machadodorp to Carolina, Badplaas, Lydenburg, Kaapsehoop and Barberton are all scenic, quality car and motor cycle friendly roads, allowing for wonderful scenic drives, and motor bike touring weekends. Attractions abound: Cradle of Life, indigenous plant nursery, crafters, birding, hiking trails, local home produce, horse rides, health spas, ancient historical stone circles, SA war history, shisa nyama, Traditional Kraals.The 60k Skurweberg Pass road is a popular long distance runners practice run with similar gradients to Comrade band Two Oceans with the added advantage of high altitude.

History

History abounds in the region. The Zimbabwe Ruins style Stone Circles from the 12 century can found in the hills around Machadodorp. The Bergendal Monument between Belfast and Machadodorp, as well as the war graves in both villages tell of the SA War history of the 1900's. Machadodorp station itself was seat of the government under Paul Kruger in 1900. The Kruger Millions are reputed to be buried somewhere in the hills around Machadodorp, so bring your metal detector!

On a relaxed walk around Machadodorp village you can explore local historical churches and sites, visit the old railway station with its segregated bridge dating back to 1950's. The village boasts a beautiful 1927 Dutch Reform Church designed by Gerard Moerdyk, the son of Dutch immigrants and is best known for designing the Voortrekker monument in Pretoria. Swedish missionary Ernst Anderson’s small stone church, built in the 1920s, adorns a Machadodorp village garden.

The local Police Station is a preserved building having started as a hospital pre 1900, then becoming the British troop’s Administration Centre once Machadodorp was captured from Paul Kruger.

Machadodorp's sleepy village atmosphere is an out of town rest cure for the work weary. A place to return to a slower pace of life. Take a break from cooking or braaiing and eat out at one of our two village restaurants, both a short walk from the cottages. Whilst chilling, take in the distant chuffing of trains...

Rest and peace await.

Activities and Attractions Near Absolute Leisure Cottages