Tourist Attractions in Queenstown, Amatola & Stormberg, Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape Queenstown Tourism
Click here for Queenstown Accommodation

One day in the late 1840's, a British Colonial Official stopped to rest near the Komani River. He looked down the lush green valley, and up at the mountain (which would later be called Madeira Mountain), and was so taken with the magnificent surroundings, that when he got back to Grahamstown he told his superiors that he had found a place so beautiful it could be named after Queen Victoria herself. Years later in 1853, this superb area of the Eastern Frontier / Eastern Cape, was named Queenstown, and went on to become the most prosperous settlement in this area of the Eastern Cape.

Reminisce of days gone by, those with a love for old architecture will delight in Queenstown's Victorian-era buildings, which transport Eastern Cape visitors back to the stylish elegance of when Queenstown first flourished. Standing under oaks and blue gums in the heart of Queenstown, the town hall, court house, public offices and the Anglican Church of St Michael, all bear testament to Queenstown's early robust days.
Learn all about early Queenstown when you visit the Queenstown Frontier Museum on Shepstone Street, which is dedicated to the achievements of the Eastern Cape settlers. The Queenstown Museum houses exhibits which include a full-size, furnished frontier cottage, a natural history collection and a stone drinking fountain for horses. An old steam engine called 'Queenstown' used to stand outside the Queenstown Frontier Museum, but has since been moved, and now takes pride of place outside the Queenstown Queens Casino & Hotel, the hub of entertainment in Queenstown that caters for the whole family.

When looking for other things to do in Queenstown, the nature lover and garden enthusiast will enjoy the Walter Everitt Sunken Gardens, where visitors to the Eastern Cape can shrug off their big city stress, and relax in magnificent surroundings which include swans and numerous other birds which frequent this haven. The year-round beauty of the Queenstown Memorial Gardens in Shepstone Street also offers quiet tranquillity, as well as the Berry Reservoir, which provides a serene sanctuary for those wanting to soak up some peace and quiet.

For the casual stroller, take the short Aloe walking trail which starts and ends at the Berry Reservoir, and for the more energetic, the longer two hour hike. Both trails afford the visitor marvellous views of Queenstown and the surrounding Eastern Cape area.
Just 5km outside town on the Dordrecht Road lies the Bongola Dam (derived from the Xhosa word “mbongolo”, meaning donkey) - a large expanse of water cradled in a deep basin set in the hills surrounding Queenstown. The Queenstown Bongola Dam acts as Queenstown's main water supply, as well as a popular recreation spot for picnics and water sports such as yachting, power boating, water-skiing and wind surfing. For the angler, the dam is stocked with black bass and bluegill, which provides fisherman with hours of pleasure before they head for the opposite shore to join the locals for 'libations' at the Queenstown Power and Yacht Club premises, also a popular venue for functions.

Visitors to Queenstown will find a number of Eastern Cape Game Reserves in the area around Queenstown, such as the Lawrence de Lange Game Reserve resting on the slopes of Queenstown's Madeira Mountain. This Eastern Cape Game Reserve just outside Queenstown provides guests with the opportunity to see eland, gemsbok, kudu, blesbok, springbok, ostrich, zebra, Indian water buffalo, wildebeest, rhinoceros and giraffe. In winter, this Queenstown Game Reserve is covered in scarlet Aloe Ferox, then in summer, the tamboekie thorn adds colour to the acacia covered in yellow flowers.

A little gem in the middle of nowhere, Queenstown is exceptionally clean and tidy compared to the majority of outlying Eastern Cape towns. The "modern" suburbs look like they could be situated in any proud country town of South Africa. Besides an array of Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering accommodation, Queenstown even has a Casino!! The Queenstown industrial area looks pretty modern, and Queenstown accommodation opportunities are plentiful for any reps looking for business accommodation on their Eastern Cape trip stopover.

Guests Visit To Queenstown
Arrived in Queenstown, Eastern Cape

O.M.G. Civilization at last !! We were expecting the usual rural dilapidated Eastern Cape town and found this little gem in the middle of nowhere.

Queenstown is exceptionally clean and tidy compared to the majority of outlying Eastern Cape towns. The "modern" suburbs look like they could be situated in any proud country town of South Africa. Besides an array of Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering accommodation, Queenstown even has a Casino!! The Queenstown industrial area looks pretty modern, and Queenstown accommodation opportunities are plentiful for any reps looking for business accommodation on their Eastern Cape trip stop-over.

All the usual food and services franchises line the main road of Queenstown. As a holiday stop-over it is only 2 or 3 hours from East London, which is probably a little too close to stay in a Queenstown Bed and Breakfast seeking a break in a long trip.
But anyway, well done Queenstown for preserving a nice town.

From Queenstown to Hogsback......can't wait.

Carlo and Ren

Review for Eastern Cape's Queenstown Bed & Breakfast Accommodation
www.wheretostay.co.za/tranquilhousebnb

Through Where to Stay we found a delightful Queenstown Bed & Breakfast on the outskirts of town. Tranquil House certainly lives up to its reputation of 'gracious living'.

Our thanks to Corne' and Kevin for your warm hospitality, and mouth watering meals!

For those looking for more 'out of town' Eastern Cape accommodation, see the Queenstown accommodation page - it also offers several Queenstown guest farms, and a private game reserve.

Denise Bradford