The Space

Karoo Rest - Nieu Bethesda Venue Hire

A Space Crafted with Care and Creativity

THE SPACE, with its sprung wooden floors, expansive windows, and distinctive reciprocal roof adorned with a skylight, exudes a sense of warmth and tranquility. Surrounded by weeping willows,  ancient cypress and dignified Bluegums, it is a space for deep and transformative work.

A Labor of Love

The Space was dreamed up (mostly) by Paula and built (mostly) by Iain over the course of a year, amidst the demands of running a cattle farm and raising their children.  With the help of a team of local workers and international volunteers, and the natural building expertise of Niel Smith, the space was built using materials sourced almost entirely from The Rest farm. From adobe bricks crafted with a perfect blend of natural elements to a breathtaking reciprocal roof fashioned from local poplars, every detail reflects a commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.

Building with Passion and Purpose

The construction process was a labor of love and determination. From mastering new techniques to overcoming challenges along the way, every step was infused with passion and dedication. Supported by skilled team members, and the invaluable assistance of craftsmen from Nieu Bethesda like Justin Malgas (son of Koos Malgas of the Owl House), the space took shape with meticulous care and attention to detail.

A Space for Gathering and Growth

Completed in September 2015, this space stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community. Whether hosting a creative workshop, a musical performance or a memorable retreat, this space invites guests to connect, learn, and grow in a setting crafted with love and long-held dreams.

Experience the Magic

When you join a retreat, book our accommodation or attend RestFest

The Rest Farm Retreat in the Serene Sneeuberg Mountains

Retreat. Heal. Reconnect.

We experience the seasons acutely up in the mountains. Snow is not uncommon in winter and summer floods create dramatic patterns in the landscape. 

The spring is celebrated with beautiful veld flowers and the fruit trees are their best as they display their blossoms. While we rarely experience the searing heat of the lowlands, hot summer days are enjoyed in the river sheltered by the poplar grove. Autumns are dramatic, as the forest turns from green to red, gold and orange.

Homemade bread, farmstyle meals, grassfed Karoochoice meat and eggs (when available) can be purchased on the farm (bread and meals need time to make). We are one hour away from the nearest grocery shop so you need to bring everything else!

No load-shedding! We are powered by solar!

We have two rustic, family sized, self catering cottages available on the farm. We also have three cute caravans that are fully equipped. In the summer months, camping is a fun and good value option

We recommend a digital detox but we do have good wifi connection if you need it.  There is no cellphone signal on the farm.

We are committed to reducing our footprint on this earth

We are guided by a strong environmentally sustainable policy in our farming and guest houses.  We have decided against en suite bathrooms and energy hungry appliances because we are working actively towards water and energy conservation.

We invite you to join us to reduce your footprint too!

The water is the best you will find to drink.  If you don’t need to use it for other things then don’t!

We like to reuse, recycle, repair and compost!

Pets are welcome if they are well trained and not tempted to hunt.  Ours is a sensitive ecosystem and we ask you to respect it as such.

Karoo Rest - Nieu Bethesda Venue Hire

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Getting to The Rest
We are half way between Cape Town and Johannesberg (about 8 hours in either direction) half an hour off the N9 highway. We are an hour from Graaff-Reinet and 25 minutes from Nieu Bethesda.

To Drive: Email us for directions and check on the current state of the road and how your car will fare on the dirt roads.

Carpool to workshops: Join the event on the Facebook page and see who is keen to carpool. Email us to put you in touch with other drivers coming from your area.

Bus: Both Intercape and Translux stop in Graaff-Reinet. We will arrange to pick you up from the bus station and bring you to the farm directly or via a guest house (buses usually arrive at awkward times in the late or early hours.)
Email us to arrange this.

Fly: Catch a flight to Port Elizabeth and hire car to drive to the farm (this is a four hour drive).
Co-ordinate with other workshop participants who want to do the same. Email us for directions.

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