Gauteng may be a riot of night life, traffic congestion, and couture shopping, but it has its fair share of secluded spots where you can escape the honking horns and vogue appearances. Irene (pronounced “I-reen-ee”) is one of my favourite havens. This quiet region of Centurion, situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, is a family-friendly farm village where cows and country lifestyle are the feature attractions.
Here are 5 reasons why I ❤ Irene:
- Irene Dairy Farm
The Irene Dairy Farm is a landmark in Gauteng and a popular place for families (especially stay-at-home moms) to bring their kids for a bit of a let-loose. Started in 1895, this working dairy farm is ideal for children to run around, pet the baby calves, and chase the chickens and ducks. The dam behind the barns is a particularly beautiful spot, but don’t disturb the black swans because they can be temperamental! The Deck and the Barn restaurants both serve a mouth-watering variety of freshly made breakfast and lunch options, and they are guaranteed to be fully booked every family holiday – be it Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, or a long weekend. The Dairy Shop is one of the last places in the country to sell certified raw milk – the kind where you can dip in your finger and pull out a rich layer of cream. You can also find a wide range of delicious home-made products like cheeses, cakes, rusks, and chicken pies.
- Irene Village Market
A visit to the Irene Village Market is an absolute must. The art market takes place on the second and last Saturday of every month, on the shady grounds of the Smuts House Museum. The market lies at the end of a scenic road that seems to lead to the middle of nowhere. An avenue of tall, white gum trees greets you upon arrival and guides your path through the meandering market where you can enjoy kids’ entertainment, a fully-licensed tea garden, numerous food stalls, and over 300 exhibits of art, craft, clothing, antiques, flowers, and curios.
- Walking the Oubaas Trail at Smuts House Museum
When the Irene Village Market is taking a break, the Smuts House Museum is open for visitors to see the simple lifestyle and multi-faceted career of past Prime Minister, Gen. J. C. Smuts. A more family-friendly pastime, however, is to take a walk (dogs allowed) along the 2,3km Oubaas Trail that winds through one of the few remaining pristine dolomitic grasslands in Gauteng. At the top of Smuts Koppie you will find the obelisk in memory of the Smuts family and you may even be lucky enough to spot a hare or a small antelope through the bushes.
- Golf at Irene Country Club
I may not be a golfer, but I’m a golfer’s wife, so I hear all the feedback. And having walked the course at the Irene Country Club myself (which is a must for any visitor at sunrise or sunset) I can tell you one thing for certain: it is stunning! The century old trees and flowing river give it a tranquillity that is unmatched. The 18-hole course has a club house with 2 bars, a lounge, patio area, and 3 halls. It offers everything from snacks and sandwiches to a fully served executive-type 4-course meal. The course is not open on Mondays (except December and January) and visitors are welcome any time.
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve and dam
Just a few minutes’ drive from Irene, the Rietvlei Nature Reserve is home to the placid Rietvlei Dam, which provides Pretoria with 15% of its water supply. Although motor boats are not allowed on the dam, there is a yacht club and visitors can enjoy fishing on the northern and western shores. Families can enjoy self-drive game viewing to spot wildlife like cheetah and rhino, while night drives and game viewing bus tours can be booked in advance. Birdwatchers will be in their element with bird hides in a variety of locations, and nature lovers can enjoy a 10km day walk or a 21km two-day overnight hike. Contact 012 358 1810/1/2 for more information.
Next time you’re visiting Gauteng, considering staying in the tranquil haven of Irene! Where’s your favourite haven in Gauteng?
Image 1 by Monxdavies (wikipedia)
Photos in image 2 courtesy of Irene Village Market
Image 3 courtesy of iTickets
