CITIES, TOWNS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS
In 1845, Garies sprang up on land given to the Dutch Reformed Church by the owner of the farm Goedeverwagting. Originally named after the farm, its present name, a Khoisan word meaning ‘couch-grass’, was given it by former Cape premier John X Merriman. A flood of visitors descends during the flower season and the Garies Municipal tourist hall stocks everything but the kitchen sink!
Activities
Letterklip
(letter stone) A road from Garies leads northwest to the Letterklip formations. It comprises several enormous, megalithic boulders on top of a hill carrying the names of early Namaqualand travellers who, it is claimed, used it as a post office. The combination of these boulders form a very scenic monument.
Rooiberg Hiking Trail
Tel 027 652 8000
Spring flowers
Garies is a centre for those setting out to enjoy spring’s show in the Kamiesberg.
Town information
Garies Tourist Information PO Box 5 Springbok 8240 Tel 027 712 8035/6