CITIES, TOWNS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS
Established in 1843 and named after Queen Victoria of England. Victoria West marks the beginning of the Diamond Way, lying on the main route from Cape Town to Kimberley. In 1866 diamond fever was sparked with the discovery of the gem at Hopetown and then at Kimberley.
The railway from Cape Town was also lured north but, perplexingly, missed Victoria West by 12km (See Hutchinson). Though Victoria West has suffered a devastating flood and dustbowl-drought, it has thrived.
Activities
Anglican Church
Built in 1869. Two beautiful stained glass windows can be viewed.
Apollo Theatre
The only surviving example, in South Africa, of a 1950s Art Deco cinema, it hosts regular film festivals. A declared heritage site.
Dutch Reformed Church
Built in 1847.
Museum
Displays on history, archaeology and fossils, including those of fossilised fish, reminding the visitor that the Karoo was,200 million years ago, an inland sea.
Print Shop
Time has stood still in the printshop of the Victoria West Messenger, published since 1876.
Victoria Trading Post & Mannetjies Roux Museum
View interesting souvenirs of former Springbok rugby player, Mannetjies Roux. Tel 053 621 0353.
Victoria West Nature Reserve
The reserve is habitat to the rare Riverine Rabbit. Tel 053 621 0026.
Town information
Church Str
Victoria West 7070
Tel 053 621 0026