Nieu Bethesda is another small Karoo Town that was founded in the 1870s. Not far from Graaff Reinet, Nieu Bethesda is dominated by the Sneeuberg mountain range and overlooked by the high Compassberg peak.
It is a quiet and undeveloped town that attracts a small community of resident artists. In addition to the peace and natural beauty, drawcards for visitors include the outsider art of Helen Martins at the famous Owl House and an interesting fossil exploration centre.
Posted by Carol
letting nature back in 
January 13, 2019 at 2:31 pm
Compassberg – is there a story behind that name? Stunning backdrop, regardless.
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January 13, 2019 at 3:14 pm
I gather that Compassberg was named by a European explorer in the 1770s after he climbed it and found a 360 degree view from the top – I suppose from there he could get his bearings. Another explanation for the name is that the peak is shaped like the needle of a compass. I think I would go with the first!
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January 6, 2019 at 6:02 am
Looks like a beautiful setting. Seems like the trick with places such as this is how to make a living there.
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January 8, 2019 at 6:00 am
It is beautiful but there is very little commercial activity and tourism is largely seasonal or at weekends.
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January 5, 2019 at 4:24 am
It looks so peaceful and serene. A great atmosphere for an art colony.
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January 8, 2019 at 5:49 am
Yes, definitely the case. Perhaps the winter cold fosters indoor creativity too ☺
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January 4, 2019 at 6:52 pm
Went there many years ago whilst on the way to the Cape. Very strange deserted atmosphere. Maybe because it was a Sunday.
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January 4, 2019 at 7:48 pm
Yes we stayed there for a few days outside of holiday season and most of the few tourist amenities were closed, and it was pretty much deserted, even on weekdays. Nowhere to get even a newspaper!
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January 4, 2019 at 6:22 pm
Now, that really looks like a small village. Peaceful though.
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January 4, 2019 at 7:40 pm
It is small and it seems that not much goes on there outside of times when holidaymakers visit. It can feel sadly reminiscent of a ghost town, but some people evidently like that.
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