Tarkastad

Afrikaans name: Tarkastad

Tarkastad

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Eastern Cape

Tarkastad is a small village that was established in 1864 after first being established as a church centre in 1862. The town is located on the banks of the Tarka River but there is some uncertainty as to the origin of the name of Tarakastad. Two possibilities are from the Celtic word "Tarka" which means "otter" or the Khoi-Khoi word "Traka" which means "women". The only thing is the word "stad" which is Afrikaans for city.

The village has traces of British influence with its Victorian style lamp posts.

Tourist activities in the area include a hiking trail in the Winterberg Mountains, some rock engravings on a nearby rock and trout fishing. Commando Drift Nature Reserve is approximately 35 km away from Tarkastad.

Have you been to Tarkastad? What's it like?

Above - War memorial

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Dutch Reformed Church (1880)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Presbyterian Church (1881)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Beautiful scenery in the vicinity of Tarkastad

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 83

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 223

Country Life - Issue 267 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 28

Country Life - Issue 286 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 76

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 282

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 177

Reader s Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 161

Country Life - Issue 262 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 20

Country Life - Issue 265 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 56

Conolly s Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 165

Country Life - Issue 244 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 26

For more info: Eastern Cape Info

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