Dullstroom

Dullstroom is a small town on the Steenkampsberg Plateau in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. In 1892 the President of the Transvaal Republic, Paul Kruger, proclaimed the town of Dull's-stroom It was named after Wolterus Dull (An early Dutch Settler) and the Crocodile River (Stroom). The name was later simplified to Dullstroom and was known as the place of eternal mist. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), British solders occupied Dullstroom and in May 1900 the village was burnt to the ground. After the war some of the Dutch settlers returned and started to rebuild the village from scratch. The town grew steadily until the seeding of a few trout fingerlings into the local, clear, ice-cold streams, changed the sleepy village into the trout Mecca of the country. At 2097m above sea level, Dullstroom is one of the highest and coldest towns in South Africa. It is the home of the highest railway station (2076 m above sea-level), It is the only region in South Africa where the critically endangered Crowned Crane, the Blue Crane and the Wattled Crane are found. It is the only place where elm and beech trees grow in any number.

From Pretoria, take the N4 East past Witbank to the Belfast turn-off.(About 190 km) Turn north on the R33 to Belfast.(4 km) then east onto the R540 for 35 km to Dullstroom.

ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation offered in guest house, self catering cottages, B&B and camping. (Jul-15).

DOCTOR:
Doctor's contact is for Dr Berry, Theunis Gerhardus, a general practitioner with surgery situated along Zulch Street, Roossenekal. (Jul-15)

FOOD:
There are restaurants, coffee shops and take aways around town. Restaurants serves a la carte, traditional South African home cooked meals. (Jul-15).

FUEL:
In the town there is a BP Shell and Total fuels tops open 24/7. (Jul-15).

INFORMATION AND POSTAL SERVICES:
For more information about the town contact the Dullstroom information Centre. There is a Post Office in the town for all the courier services and banking.(Jul-15).
Visitors Information bureaux fax 0132540255, reservations@dullstroom.biz. Dullstroom Accommodation: +27(0)13 254 002, Dullstroom Reservations: +27(0)13 254 0254. (Oct-14)

INTERNET/WIFI:
For Internet access visit the Dullstroom DVD/Video Shop and Internet Service situated at the Dullstroom Centre next to Le Bamba Supermarket. Some accommodation options in the town offers WIFI access to their guests. (Jul-15)

MECHANICAL REPAIRS/ TOW IN SERVICES:
For vehicle mechanical repairs, contact the Dullstroom Motors & Hardware situated along R540, Lydenburg/Belfast Road, Tel :+27(0)13 254 0211. No towing company contact could be found. (Jul-15).

MONEY:
There is a FNB bank and ATM in the town. (Jul-15).

PHARMACY/HOSPITAL/HEALTH CARE:
There is no hospital in Dullstroom but there is a primary health clinic situated at the Corner Hugo & Willemse Street Roossenekal, Tel +27(0)13 273 0105. There is also the Mapoch Mine clinic mainly serving the Mapoch mine community, Tel +27(0)13 273 5000. For over the counter medicine and prescriptions there is a Dullstroom Pharmacy in the town, Tel : +27(0)13 254 0407. (Jul-15).

POLICE:
Police contact added is for the main SAPS in Dullstroom. Emergency contact is 10111. For Fire fighters call Geoff on +27(0)83 301 2911. (Jul-15).

SHOPPING:
Grocery store, shops and general dealers are all over town for daylight shopping requirements. (Jul-15).

TRANSPORT:
There are taxis and train fro public transport. (Jul-15).
Dullstroom to Lydenburg has many potholes. (Oct-14).

TYRE SALES AND REPAIRS:
The Dullstroom Motors & Hardware offers car and tyre repairs, Tel +27(0)13 254 0211. (Jul-15).

“Dullstroom, a charming village in Mpumalanga, South Africa, has a rich history that dates back to the early 1880s when Wolterus Dull, a Dutchman, helped organise a group of Dutch settlers to move to what was then the Eastern Transvaal. After purchasing two farms, Groot Suikerboschkop and Elandslaagte, from local businessman Hendrik Buhrman, these settlers arrived in May 1884. The settlers, who were sympathetic to the Afrikaner cause, travelled from Europe via a six-week boat journey to Durban, then by rail to Ladysmith, and finally by ox wagon to their destination, arriving in the midst of a harsh Highveld winter. The land they found was inhospitable, lacking basic comforts and unsuitable for agriculture, making their settlement a challenging environment. Despite these early hardships, the settlers, including families like the Ottens, De Vletter, Janson, Ahlers, Koeleman, and Brinkman, persevered. One early settler, Mynheer van Achtenberg, described the area around Grootsuikerboschkop as a “mass of rock, shrouded in eternal mist, ravaged by everlasting cold and devoid of natural beauty.” Today, Dullstroom’s stunning natural beauty stands in stark contrast to these early observations. By October 1893, Dullstroom was granted official town status by President Paul Kruger, but its growth was interrupted by the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902). During the war, British forces destroyed the village twice – once in November 1900 and again in April 1901. Many women and children were sent to concentration camps, and the men fought on the Natal front. After the war, only two buildings survived – Rose Cottage and a house now known as Little Foxes, which had been used as British barracks. The historic Stone Church, built in 1892 from locally quarried stone, was destroyed in 1901 but was rebuilt in 1905 by early settlers. Many of the original Dutch settlers returned to the Netherlands, but some, including J.H. Janson Jr., stayed to rebuild the town from the ruins. Their determination is still reflected in the town’s old stone buildings. Today, Dullstroom sits at 2,075 meters above sea level on the Steenkampsberg plateau in the Drakensberg Eco Zone, making it one of the highest and coldest towns in South Africa. The area experiences a temperate climate with wet summers and cold winters, sometimes dipping below freezing. Snowfalls, though rare, can transform Dullstroom into a winter wonderland. The town is also home to South Africa’s highest railway station, located at 2,077 meters, and the highest tarred road in Mpumalanga, making it easily accessible. Dullstroom is renowned for its biodiversity and conservation efforts, including the protection of endangered species such as the Wattled Crane, Blue Crane, and Crowned Crane. The Verlorenvalei Nature Reserve, which preserves these species, is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. The area is also one of the few places in South Africa where trees planted by the original Dutch settlers – such as Copper Beech, Elm, and Linden– continue to thrive. The town is also famous for its trout-fishing industry, which began in 1916 when H.J. Gurr introduced trout to the local rivers. By 1927, the first formal stocking of trout in Dullstroom’s streams and dams took place, cementing its status as one of South Africa’s premier fly-fishing destinations. In addition to its natural beauty and history, Dullstroom has become a popular cultural destination. In 1989, the Dullstroom Inn gained fame for hosting the first Sunday Times “Finders Keepers” million-rand competition. The village also boasts quirky folklore, such as stories of reputable horses being served drinks at the Excelsior Hotel’s pub. Dullstroom, meaning The Place of Prosperity, offers visitors not only scenic hikes, horse riding trails, and tranquil picnic spots but also a mix of 19th and 20th-century architecture and modern amenities. As a cultural melting pot, Dullstroom attracts visitors from all walks of life, making it an ideal stop for travellers on their way to the Kruger National Park. Known for its whisky heritage, Dullstroom features Wild About Whisky, which offers one of the largest collections of whisky in the Southern Hemisphere. The village is also home to The Clock Shop, which houses the largest collection of clocks in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, Dullstroom offers something for everyone making it a unique and welcoming destination. (Tsidi Mzansi Historian)” - Chris Smit, 2025/05/12

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