Bathurst, the pineapple capital of South Africa is located in the Eastern Cape. Many of the original settler houses and other buildings have been preserved, and there remains much of the look and feel of an English village of the early 19th century. The Pig and Whistle Inn, at the heart of the village, is reputed to be the oldest pub in the country. In 2011, it was home to 6,400 people.

Understand

Bathurst was founded in 1820 and named after the colonial secretary of the British government, Lord Bathurst. 10 minutes from Port Alfred and home to the oldest pub in South Africa, the town’s major attraction is the Big Pineapple, which stands 16.7 m high.

Get in

By plane

The Big Pineapple in Bathurst

There are two airports near Bathurst. The closest is the East London airport which is 112 km from Addo. The Port Elizabeth airport is 127 km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

By car

Bathurst is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (779 km) or East London (112 km). You could also drive in from Johannesburg (818 km). The road conditions are fairly good if you are coming from any of these cities.

By bus

All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules from places like Addo.

See

• Bradshaw's Mill. A working watermill and National Monument. Built by Settler Samuel Bradshaw in 1821, this water-driven wool mill contains a working water wheel. 
• Bathurst Agricultural Museum, At the Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Nursery, ☏ +27 72 408-4858, hopewell@telkomsa.net. M-Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 3PM-4PM. It hosts over 1300 items of farming equipment and accessories, including tractors and dairy utensils. 
• Big Pineapple, Kowie Road Summerhill Farm, ☏ +27 46 625-0515. A small museum about pineapple farming. Climb three stories for a beautiful view over the pineapple farm, and you can buy fresh pineapple and homebrewed pineapple beer. R25. (updated Nov 2020)

Do

• Bathurst Agricultural Show, Showground Rd, ☏ +27 46 624-5421, info@bathurstshow.co.za. Described by the Land Bank as "the best and only agricultural show in the Eastern Cape", the Omnia Bathurst Show is home to about 200 standholders and offers all things farming in a festival of competitions, exhibitions and demonstrations. Entertainment for the whole family. 
• Bird Watching with Anne Williams, ☏ +27 83 719-4950. 
• The Horseshoe Bend and Waters Meeting Nature Reserve. Home to many species of animals, bird and plants. The reserve offers hiking trails, picnic spots and a viewpoint of the river and valley. 

Buy

• Farmer's Market. Su 9:30AM-12:30PM. 

Eat

• The Ruanthai, corner Trappes Road & Timms Lane, ☏ +27 46 625-0224. Closed on Mondays. Good Thai food, but the restaurant is unlicensed, so bring your own drinks if you want alcohol. Cash only, no credit card facilities. 

Drink

• The Pig & Whistle pub, 268 Kowie Rd, ☏ +27 46 625-0673, fax: +27 86 648-3889, stay@pigandwhislte.co.za. The oldest licensed establishment in South Africa. 

Sleep

• The Pig & Whistle, 268 Kowie Rd, ☏ +27 46 625-0673, fax: +27 86 648-3889, stay@pigandwhislte.co.za. Established in 1832, this hotel has been declared a National Monument. 
• Langholm B&B, ☏ +27 83 325-4835, info@langholm.co.za. Bright self-catering family cottage on a pineapple farm close to Bathurst and Grahamstown. B&B option. 2 rooms: 1 double and 1 twin, quality bedding and towels supplied. Shower only. TV. Peaceful farm surroundings. Walk through pineapple fields or bushveld. 

Go next

• Addo
• Baviaans
• Grahamstown
• Jeffreys Bay & St Francis
• Karoo Heartland
• Sunshine Coast
• Tsitsikamma