Sandstone Estates thrills visitors of all ages!
During a time when the world is virtually holding its breath and international travel is struggling during a global pandemic, the fresh air, panoramic charm, and fun for visitors of all ages continue to attract local visitors to Sandstone Estates in the Free State, near Ficksburg. Overlooking the majestic Maluti Mountains of bordering Lesotho, this is a unique destination.
Ensuring the safety of visitors during any level of lockdown restrictions and following the strict Covid 19 protocols in force and the varying limits on total numbers, the team at Sandstone has designed a varied programme of activities to stimulate a diverse tourism portfolio.
When the number of visitors is limited, the Sandstone Walking Tours have proven an ideal getaway for visitors in need of the fresh, mountain air and magnificent surrounds. Starting at the Waenhuis Café, small groups adhering to social distancing rules proceed on a walk down memory lane, which includes viewing:
Military vehicles, the tractor display, an ox wagon shed, steam and vintage sheds, vintage machinery, the vintage workshop, the main workshop, the stationery engine museum, a rolling stock shed, and the Sherman tank shed.
From corporate team building to executive getaways, product launches and wedding, to year-end functions, television, video and photographic location shoots, Sandstone Estates cater for a myriad of interests. Some of the most recent group visits have comprised student, club, and tourist group outings.
Fancy a scenic trip to the Lesotho border in the BSA Rail Car, a 1910 classic Edwardian Rail Car, or perhaps the Wickham Rail Trolley, depending on numbers in your group…or perhaps an ox-wagon or military vehicle ride afterward?
From a cute Fowler locomotive, snaking its passenger train to Grootdraai, to sturdy Garratts powering the hefty Mountain Wanderer train along the 30km of narrow-gauge track, the activities never disappoint.
Affordable accommodation for 32 guests, with options ranging from camping facilities, complete with an ablution block @R380-00 per stand per night, to six self-catering Victorian Cottages, which sleep 4 guests in twin-bed rooms, offering fully fitted kitchens and shower-bathrooms @R1,980-00 per cottage per night, including VAT. Railway cottages @R425-00 per person per night. Braai facilities are also on offer.
For those of us with a yearning to escape city life to traverse the unusual, including rides on world-class historical steam trains, vintage buses, and vintage army, steam, and farming equipment, this is it!
The highly productive farmland, toiled by a team of 36 working oxen, as well as state-of-the-art heritage and modern farming equipment, are just some of the many attractions to be embraced on this spectacular estate.
Visitor numbers and accommodation occupancy remain subject to lockdown restriction rules.
Call Mariette Palmer on 064 752 3852 or 051 933 2235 or email: mariettep@sandstone.co.za for enquiries and visit www.sandstone-estates.com for further details.
