Situated at the heart of South Africa, the Free State has a pristine, mystical quality evident in the many different landscapes and environments encountered.  The region is divided into five sub-regions, namely Motheo, Xhariep (Formerly known as the Transgariep), Lejweleputswa (Free State Goldfields), Northern Free State and Thabo Mafutsanyane (Eastern Free State).  Each of the regions has its own individual flavour with regard to geographical terrain, mood and experiences for the tourist.

The history of the capital city of Bloemfontein, South Africa's judicial capital, can be traced back to 1840 when Johannes Brits, a Voortrekker, built his home alongside a spring on the dry open plains.  A settlement developed which eventually became the capital of the Republic of the Orange Free State.  The name Bloemfontein was derived from the spring, which, over the years, has been a source of water for the San (Bushmen) hunters, Sotho farmers and Voortrekkers.  Today the "City of Roses" as it is also known, has many sky-scrapers, stately historical buildings and monuments which testify to its pioneering past.  The city is known for its many attractive parks and gardens and rose-lovers congregate in October for the annual rose-festival.  Bloemfontein has many cultural and military museums.  The city is particularly well-situated as a convenient stop-over for motorists travelling between Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape.

Maselspoort Resort, 24 km from the city along the tarred road leading past Bloemfontein Airport.  The resort provides facilities for swimming, boating, fishing, camping and picnicking.  There is a wide range of accommodation (bedding and other equipment provided).  The restaurants also sells groceries and meat.  No dogs allowed.  Open daily.

The Appeal Court, in President Brand Street, is South Africa's Court of Appeal and is notable for its fine wood paneling and furniture.  The library has over 18 000 volumes.  Naval Hill off Union Avenue, overlooks the flat plains of Bloemfontein.  Springbok, eland, zebra and other indigenous animals may be seen in the Franklin Game Reserve at the top of Naval Hill.  This is the closest Game Reserve to any city centre in South Africa.  The Lamont-Hussey Observatory serves as a theatre atop Naval Hill.  National Women's Memorial, Monument Road, was erected to commemorate the women and children who died during the "Second War of Independence" (The Anglo-Boer War).  The ashes of Emily Hobhouse are entombed at the foot of the memorial.  Nearby is the War Museum which houses relics of the Wars of Independence.  Open daily.  Tweetoringkerk, situated at the top of Church Street, was erected in 1878-1880 and is a national monument.  The last three presidents of the old Free State Republic took the oath of office in this church.

National Museum, Charles Street, founded in 1877, has the finest anthropological exhibition in the country, including the Florisbad skull - an ancestor of the Bushman and the remains of a large dinosaur.  Open daily.  The Public Library, Charles Street, contains many rare examples of Africana and also houses the National Drama Library.  First Raadsaal, St. George's Street.  Erected in 1849, the oldest existing building in the city.  It has been used as a school, a political council chamber, a church and an assembly hall.  Open daily.  King's Park is a blaze pf colour almost all the year round.  The Zoo has the largest collection of primates (apes) in South Africa.  Open daily.  The Sand du Plessis Theatre, Markgraaff Street, holds regular performances of ballet, opera and drama.  Works of art form part of the theatre's decor.  Bloemfontein is famous for its monuments and statutes which include:  The Cenotaph, Hoffmann Square, commemorating the Bloemfontein men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars;  in President Swart Park, the monument to the Scottish and one to the Canadian soldiers who fell during the Anglo-Boer War;  President Brand's statue in front of the government buildings at the top of Maitland Street;  President M.T. Steyn, main buildings University of the Free State;  General C.R. de Wet, in front of Raadsaal, President Brand Street;  Basuto Monument Road, Church Street;  British troops, and Second South African War (Anglo Boer War), Monument Road.

The Motheo and Xhariep Regions lie in the south of the Free State - an area of vast open spaces of great natural beauty.  Here too is bustling, vibrant Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and judicial capital of South Africa.  For the most part, however, a small-town atmosphere and wealth of well-documented history prevail.

The dams offer excellent opportunities to anglers and water-sport enthusiasts, while the many holiday resorts, hiking trails, hunting farms and nature reserves in the area cater for lovers of the "great outdoors".  Other experiences in the Region not to be missed are:  the Tussen-die-Riviere Game Reserve east of Bethulie;  the Landzicht Wine Cellars in Jacobsdal - the first wine cellar built outside of the Cape;  the mining hole and museum in Jagersfontein - at 500 meters wide and nearly as deep;  the excavation is arguably bigger than the "Big Hole" in Kimberley;  the charm and history of Philippolis - the oldest town in the Free State;  the artistic flavour of Smithfield and Bethulie with their many art galleries and resident artists;  the vital African flavour of Thaba'Nchu;  the Gariep Dam and its facilities and resorts;  the legendary "Eye of Zastron";  and the modernity and pace of the Free State Province capital, Bloemfontein.

The Free State Goldfields (currently known as Lejweleputswa lies to the north of the Xariep Region.  Home to many of the world's richest goldbearing reefs, the area is traversed by some of the most sophisticated mines in the country.  The endless fields of sunflowers peculiar to the area confirm that this is truly the "golden country".  The city of Welkom, regarded as the "heartbeat" of the region is in its own way spectacular.  Planned to completion before a single brick was laid, the harmoniously blended residential, industrial and mining areas of the city bear striking testimony to the foresight and success of the mining magnates.

Other worthwhile experiences in the Region are:  the Nampo harvest farm and festival held annually in May - located in Bothaville, this is the second-largest private agricultural show in the world;  the folk-dancing monument and museum in Boshof;  the Florisbad and Baden-Baden excavation sites outside of Dealesville - the 40 000 year old skull of the Florisbad man was discovered here and is thought by many experts to be the most important archaeological find ever;  the Goldfields Wine Cellars outside Theunissen;  the Golden Arts & Crafts Scramble and Sand River in Virginia;  and the gold museums and mines in Welkom.

Covered by large tracts of water, the Northern Free State has both rustic charm and sophistication.  Sasolburg, considered to be one of the world's chemical giants, provides the Region with the pace and amenities of a modern city and is in stark contrast to the simplicity and small-town charm of places like Villiers and Tweeling.  The magnificent Vaal Dam provides endless angling and watersports opportunities, as does the Vaal River, meandering across the northern border.

Other experiences in the Region include:  a visit to Deneysville - the Gateway to the Vaal Dam, with its four highly acclaimed yacht clubs, boat supply and repair facilities, Deneysville lives up to its proud epitaph as the "inland Water Mecca of South Africa";  the Vegkop battlefield memorial in Heilbron;  the Vals River and hiking trails running through Kroonstad;  Gold Island - a small island in the Vaal River which is home to a nine-hole golf-course;  the SASOL chemical plant, Gallery 88 and Riemland Eco Route in Sasolburg;  and the many examples of San (Bushman) paintings in the area.

The Eastern Free State has great grandeur.  In winter its picturesque mountains are capped with snow.  Hiking trails provide endless adventures, while the many nature reserves, hunting farms and cultural delights the area has to offer provide something to satisfy everyone's taste.  Backed by the Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains, the area is redolent of history and offers all kinds of adventure tourism opportunities.

The nationally acclaimed Golden Gate Highlands National Park is one of the Free State Province's premier attractions.  This reserve is well-known for its splendid scenery and the unusual sandstone formations which are a feature of this area.  Large herds of springbok, eland, blesbok and black wildebeest roam the park, which is a favourite haunt of the bearded vulture and the black eagle.  Fire lilies, red hot pokers, watsonias and many other flower species bloom during the summer months.  A hiking-trail leads to the top of Generaalskop, which as a panoramic view over the surrounding area.