Bultfontein is a town situated at the intersection of four Regional Routes (R700, R708, R710 ,and R719) in the Free State province of South Africa.
Overview
| Country: | South Africa |
| Province: | Free State |
| District: | Lejweleputswa |
| Municipality: | Tswelopele |
| Established: | 1873 |
| Total Area: | 44.0 km² (17.0 sq mi) |
| Population: | 23,365 (2011) |
| Population Density: | 531/km² (1,380/sq mi) |
| Time Zone: | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal Code (street): | 9670 |
| PO Box: | 9670 |
| Area Code: | 051 |
Geography and history
Bultfontein is located in the Tswelopele Local Municipality, approximately 100 km north of Bloemfontein (the Provincial Capital) in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, and about 75 km south-west of Welkom.
The town site was laid out in 1873 on one side of a farm named Kameeldoorns. The town Hoopstad shares the other half.
The establishment of Bultfontein had been delayed because of a location dispute which also led to the establishment of Hoopstad 63 kilometres to the north-west. The township of Phahameng was established on the outskirts of Bultfontein in the 1970s.
Bultfontein is a farming region and relies on the Sand-Vet irrigation system for its water. Majority of Bultfontein’s residents speak the Sotho language. The town has the largest grain elevator in South Africa, and the old police cell was erected more than a 100 years ago.
Bultfontein is located in beautiful surroundings and therefore offers visitors and tourists loads of adventurous opportunities. The AC van Wyk Game Park is a rugged park near the town that is a definite must-see for nature-lovers. The park houses many local game species.
Other attractions in Bultfontein include:
- Grain Elevator (Largest in the country)
- Bird-watching and water sports
- Police Cell (Used a century ago)
- Magistrate’s Court
- Fontein Park (Water features)
- Protea Pan (Salt pan)
