Bathurst is yet another little Eastern Cape town that is steeped in history. There are a number of places of interest here that have been declared National Monuments, such as the oldest Anglican Church in the country, Bradshaw’s Mill, the first cloth-weaving mill to be established in the country and the oldest pub in the country at the Pig and Whistle Hotel.
Scenically, the Sunshine Coast is hard to fault and you’re sure to be pleased by the setting here, with its proximity to the tranquil Kowie River, nature reserves close by and the natural vegetation of wild fig and coral trees.
Bathurst is best known for being the pineapple production capital of South Africa. The well-recognised pineapple monument, the largest man-made pineapple in the world, was constructed here to pay tribute to the first exotic fruit planted in South Africa. The monument has now become a prominent feature of Bathurst and an icon of the town itself.
Getting there: Bathurst is situated close to the popular holiday town of Port Alfred and is half-way between Port Elizabeth and East London. From Port Elizabeth: take the N2 going towards Grahamstown. Here, take the R67 going South to Bathurst.
