Loxton, eighty kilometres west of Victoria West on the tarred R63, is one of those rare Karoo villages that has plenty of trees. Its pretty and really peaceful, although the lack of activity on the streets belies the life going on behind closed doors.
Roads are lined with 100-year old trees, and narrow leiwater channels are used to flood-irrigate resident's gardens. In spring, the air is filled with blossom-scent and in summer fruit and vegetables sprout from enthusiastic gardeners plots. Donkey carts klip-klop through town sedately, their owners waving as they pass.
Many of the original 100+year-old houses remain and are good examples of typical vernacular Karoo architecture. The oldest building, the original horse stable of the farm Phezantefontein, is a portion of the now redundant power station at the eastern end of Magrieta Prinsloo Street.
After years of standing empty, most buildings are or have been restored and the town - once thought of as a retirement village - is enjoying a revival. Different styles of corrugated iron roofs can be seen in town, including ogee, bullnose, and concave, along with diamond windows on end walls, pedimented parapets, classical pillars, and balustrades with balusters. Some of the old buildings have wooden shutters and sash windows.
The unique stone Corbelled houses that are shaped like old-fashioned beehives are also found around Loxton. In fact, these dwellings only occur in a small area of the Karoo roughly between Loxton, Fraserburg, Williston, and Carnarvon. They were built from 1811 onwards by the early trekboers (migratory farmers) and due to the lack of other building materials, consist solely of local stone and have no supporting roof beams.
Other points of interest in the area include bird watching (after good rains) on and around farm dams, a /Xam-San waterhole, a church built of local sandstone, and replica Dutch castle and windmill, which looks like its stepped straight out of Disneyland. This is one of the two largest garlic-producing areas in the country.
The surrounding koppies and veld are great for exploring in the cooler hours, and when rains allow, theres even a Karoo Water Sports Centre where locals gather on weekends to ski on a large farm dam.
Fuel is available at the Loxton Farmers Co-op (KVB) during business hours. NB: The co-op is closed on Saturdays after 13h00, Sundays, and public holidays.
There is an ABSA ATM available in the co-op, but no bank.
Shops sell most groceries, hardware, clothing basics, decor, locally-made items and art.
Fresh bread and buns are available at Loxton Lekker.
There are providers for sit-down meals, takeaway food, and alcoholic beverages.
The library is in the Loxton municipal building.
There is a repair shop for car and tyre repairs and an air pump.
Laslappies provides sewing services.
Accommodation ranges from a camping site to upmarket guesthouses.
Businesses are offering outdoor excursions and walking/hiking/biking tours.
