10 Best Things To Do In Welkom, South Africa - Updated 2024

1. Shop at Goldfields Mall

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Nestled in the heart of Welkom, Goldfields Mall offers a refreshing break from sightseeing adventures. This shopping mall features coffee shops and several restaurants with amazing food options, providing you with the quick recharge you need for the day. There are also plenty of fashion stores that offer everything from footwear to clothing apparel. Home décor stores as well as department stores are found in the mall as well.

This shopping mall is open all week. It also features Wi-Fi and wheelchair accessibility, not to mention a children’s play area for the entertainment of the little ones.

Goldfields Mall

Address: Cnr of Stateway and, Buiten St, CBD, Welkom, 9459, South Africa

Website: Goldfields Mall

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 6pm; Fri: 9am - 7pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 9am - 3pm

2. Admire the artefacts at Welkom Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Welkom’s mining and production prowess is no news. Throwing light on this, the city’s most important aspect is Welkom Museum. With its many displays and exhibits, the museum does an excellent job of familiarising you with its history and also information about several mines in the area. Additionally, the museum’s collection also does brilliantly well in versing visitors with the local history of the town, indigenous flora and fauna, and interesting facts about the touristy sites around.

Welkom Museum

Address: Tulbagh St, City Centre, Welkom, 9459, South Africa

3. Swing by Oppenheimer Park Golf Club

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Travel about 7 km (4.3 mi) east of Welkom city centre and you will reach Oppenheimer Park Golf Club, which is so much more than a usual golf course. Its carefully manicured golf course, marvellous use of old trees to amplify the scenic appeal, and a range of other facilities, such as the pro shop, clubhouse, bar, and restaurant make it a fun outing spot. You need not be a member of the club to make use of its facilities, just pay a-la-carte and enjoy!

Oppenheimer Park Golf Club

Address: 3 Oppenheimer Drive, Welkom Mines, Welkom, 9459, South Africa

Website: Oppenheimer Park Golf Club

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

4. Witness crazy races at Phakisa Raceway

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Africa’s sole oval motor racing circuit, Phakisa Freeway is a twin-track facility. While one is a Formula 1 Grand Prix flat circuit, the other is a Super Speedway Oval. Phakisa Raceway was once home to several international championships and although it hasn’t retained a similar status off late, the raceway continues to host national racing events. You can look up the raceway’s official website to see if an event is being hosted around the time of your visit and book your tickets to enjoy the same.

Phakisa Raceway

Address: R70, Odendaalsrus, 9480, South Africa

Website: Phakisa Raceway

5. Book a show at Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If theatre performances are your thing, catching one at Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre is a must. It has been designed in a luxuriously European-African style, with a stately crystal chandelier adorning the theatre’s ceiling along with rich tapestry flaunting South African designs and French weaving. The theatre is known to host an array of performances, ranging from ballet and opera performances to music and dance recitals. They keep announcing their line-ups and latest shows on their official Facebook page (mentioned below), so do check if something’s being hosted around the time of your visit and attend one.

Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre

Address: Civic Ctr, Stateway, Bedelia, Welkom, 9459, South Africa

Website: Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre

6. Plan a day at Kameelkop Hiking Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Among the best ways to explore Welkom’s beautiful landscape as well as rich flora and fauna is to hitch a hike. One such trail that’s most popular among tourists is the Kameelkop Hiking Trail, set in the Eastern Free State Highlands. Carpeted with acacia Karoo thickets and wild olive trees all along, the trail allows sumptuous views of the Lesotho Mountains and its many stunning sandstone formations. Additionally, Warden’s Tower, Gaudi’s Skilpad, views of the Slanghoek Valley, De Hoek Bluff, Slanghoek Gorge, Makathi Massif, and several rock pools are some of the many notable features that you must look out for along the 23-km (14.3 mi) long route.

Kameelkop Hiking Trail

Address: Rietfontein cattle farm near Marquad, Free State

7. Party with your mates at Rovers Club & Chalets

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Rovers Club & Chalets is a popular haunt for Welkom locals, primarily because of its in-house Siete’s Restaurant. It is touted to be one of South Africa’s best steak houses, cooking up some of the best and juiciest steaks you’d have tried in the region. Plus, a variety of bar drinks, local, and craft beers for diners to enjoy with their meals. The restaurant offers open-air as well as indoor seating and also a play area for children.

Rovers Club & Chalets

Address: 58 Twist St, Welkom Central, Welkom, 9459, South Africa

Website: Rovers Club & Chalets

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 8pm (closed on Sun)

8. Step into the kid-friendly Die Melkkan

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Set in a jungle-like ambience with a large open-air play area for kids, Die Melkkan is Pamperlang’s – a bread-and-breakfast outlet about 8 km (5 mi) outside Welkom city – in-house restaurant. The place does its African farewell… and how! It is primarily a farm kitchen, so you can trust all the dishes to be prepared with fresh produce and carefully handcrafted to perfection. We hear that their burgers and sandwiches are quite something, so do try!

Die Melkkan

Address: Plaas Silwerstraal Op R710, 5km, Welkom 9460, South Africa

Website: Die Melkkan

Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)

9. Indulge in mouth-watering fare at Modern Pantry

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Modern Pantry, with its light meals, cafe fare, health food, bistro snacks, and gorgeous seafood specialities is one of Welkom’s most loved restaurants. Add to this, an excellent and extensive collection of wines and other drinks that make for a perfect accompaniment to the dishes. The sophisticated decor, lively ambience, and friendly service add to the experience. Keep a tab on Modern Pantry’s official Facebook page (mentioned below) for the latest deals, offers, and events that they keep hosting regularly.

Modern Pantry

Address: 368 Stateway, Doorn, Welkom, 9459, South Africa

Website: Modern Pantry

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 6pm; Fri: 8am - 8pm; Sat: 8am - 3pm (closed on Sun)

10. Enjoy a buffet at The Mediterranean Wine & Grill

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If there’s one place that nails its Greek and European specialities, it is The Mediterranean Wine & Grill. The place hosts interesting daily specials, such as Pork Chop Mondays, Premium Pasta Tuesdays, Hake Wednesdays, and Rib Thursdays. Plus, Sunday lunches, 11am - 3pm, are usually all-you-can-eat buffets for about 1 USD per diner – a great way to try a bunch of food items here!

The Mediterranean Wine & Grill

Address: Shop No. 34, The Strip, Stateway, Welkom Central, Welkom, 9460, South Africa

Website: The Mediterranean Wine & Grill

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm

Welkom - bubbling with fun

While Welkom may be a relatively ‘young-ish’ city, being proclaimed one only in the late 1960s, it is nowhere nascent in its development as one would imagine. On the contrary, it has managed to catch up with some of the bigger metropolitans in the area and give them a real run for their money! Not only is the city’s civil planning impressive, but also the variety of things to do. Let’s just say, you may be as old, Welkom will not bore you. We’ve put together the best things to do in Welkom, South Africa – enrich your travel experience!