The earlier activities at this later bustling goldfield are well described in Gerrit Haarhoff’s Forgotten Tracks and Trails of the Escarpment and the Lowveld:

On March 18, 1874 Nolan found two nuggets weighing half an ounce, which triggered the “Waterfall Rush”, tempting 63 diggers to work the five mile long creek. Some four miles from the great falls, Billy Davies stayed in a fortified cave where he previously had to hide from hostile local inhabitants. Davies’ prospecting activities led to the discovery of the “the wall of gold” or “Davies’ jeweller’s shop”.

The tour will be conducted by Wendel Hough, a well-known tour operator and lodge owner in that area. Some very rare rock art will also be visited.

• Leaving 07:00 from Kruger Lowveld Tourism at Crossing or meeting at 08:30 at Thaba Tsweni Lodge on the road to the Berlin Falls on the Graskop Bourke’s Luck Road.
• No costs (except annual membership of R200) is payable.
• Bring along a lunch basket.
• For more information, contact Marius Bakkes on 082 852 7289.
• Note - only high ground clearance vehicles. Phone Marius to offer space or if in need of a seat.

Thaba Tsweni Lodge Directions

From Sabie take the R532 to Graskop past the MacMac Falls. Go through Graskop and take the R532 towards the Three Rondawels. 8km north of Graskop pass the turnoff to Lisbon Falls on the left. 10km north of Graskop turn left towards the Berlin Falls. 1km on, you will find Thaba Tsweni Lodge on the right.