Photo: Patrick Hoesly

The small Karoo town of Sutherland is famous for two things: it’s the coldest place in South Africa, reaching icy temperatures throughout winter and frequently blanketed in snow. And it’s home to the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere: SALT (the South African Large Telescope).
When they say large, they mean large. The telescope is so powerful that you could see a candle flame on the moon. And it’s the reason Sutherland has been nicknamed ‘the Gateway to the Universe’.

Spend your days exploring the various walking and mountain biking trails, visiting the town’s two cemeteries (one English, one Jewish), or sampling the carrot cake at the local coffee shop. Or simply sit on the porch and soak up the stillness – Sutherland has plenty of that.

Guided tours of the observatory are available in summer or winter, but be sure to tack a few extra days on to your Sutherland trip. You can spend them breathing in the crystal clear air, quiet atmosphere and calm serenity of this charming Karoo town. Blissful.