Beaufort West is most well known as the home town of Chris Barnard, the first doctor to perform open heart surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town in 1967. He is well honoured in three historic buildings, all of which are national monuments and make up Beaufort West’s museums. Barnard House, where all gifts, awards and presentations made to him are on display, and the Town Hall, where there is a replica of the heart-transplant theatre he used.
Not only was Beaufort West established in 1818, but it was also the first municipality established in the Western Cape. This history is reflected in the many architectural styles of the well preserved buildings, not least of which is the landmark Neo-Gothic Dutch Reformed Mother Church.
Beaufort West is the largest town in the Karoo, and is an important stop for travellers and trucks driving on the N1 artery road, between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The Karoo National Park is right on the doorstep of Beaufort West. The park offers stark but beautiful scenery, starry skies, remote silence, lions and big game, excellent birding, a fossil route, hiking and 4×4 trails. It is also a sanctuary for the endangered black rhino and riverine rabbit. There is overnight accommodation in chalets or in the caravan park and a restaurant where you can wine.
From Cape Town take the N1 towards Paarl and continue on to Beaufort West which is about 460km away.
For more information about the Central Karoo, visit ShowMe.
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