Vrede is a scenic little town with an imposing sandstone church. The town lies in the North-Eastern Free State about 20km east of the N3, close to the Mpumalanga border. The town was established in 1863 by European landowners of this area.

It is surrounded by a large farming district. Vrede was so named after a dispute between the the founding fathers about its name was settled amicably ("in peace").

Today Vrede finds itself at the hub of a 10 000 hectare region of agricultural plenty, including the Free State's largest stock fairs of maize wheat, mutton, wool, beef, dairy, products and poultry.

The town is steeped in history. The frontage of the Dutch Reformed Church features a Burghers Memorial to fallen Boers and a garden to honour the British soldiers.

The Great Trek Monument is a granite memorial erected in 1938, the centenary year of the Great Trek. A First World War Cannon may also be seen in the town.

The town is equipped with all the basic requirements including an excellent SPAR bakery and a good selection of meat at reasonable prices. In fact, all prices of most commodities in the town seem to be reasonable! The banks have 24 hour ATM's and the folk are friendly and helpful.

Ideal Location:

Vrede is surrounded by undulating, highveld hills. It is just 220 km from northern Johannesburg, and about 30km the other side of Carolina on the R102 to Warden and Harrismith on the Volksrust-Newcastle road.

It is in the spine of the Drakensberg off the N3 highway Durban to Nelspruit (and the alternative Durban to Johannesburg) and also on the main route from Johannesburg via Newcastle to the North Coast and Zululand.

Travellers from from down south could make their way the Kruger National Park.

For your next trip, consider Vrede en route:
Johannesburg-Durban

Johannesburg-Zululand

Bloemfontein-Nelspruit

Durban-Skukuza

Rewarding Tourist Destination:

Other than just a throughway or stopover, Vrede and its surrounding area is a rewarding tourist destination offering a diversity of attractions, adventures, accommodation, arts, crafts and restaurants.

Vrede town has modern golf and tennis facilities and a host of water sports facilities are on offer at the Vrede Dam.

Other activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, caving, abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, game viewing, hunting, browsing and shopping or just relaxing in the quaint pubs and restaurants in the area. There is something for every taste.

Don't miss Vrede - whether for a meal, unusual shopping, the best steak in the "country" a weekend break or a full-fledged adventure holiday!

Vrede hosts an annual Red Meat Festival ("Rooivleisfees") .

For more information on Vrede and the surrounding HiPlains area, visit the HiPlains web-site at www.linx.co.za/hiplains