Fouriesburg, 330km or about 3 hours' drive from Johannesburg, provides the opportunity for outdoor adventure in the mountains on the Lesotho border, where there is snow in winter and inspiring views all-year round. It is a short drive from the popular town of Clarens and the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. more

Thabo Mofutsanyana in the north eastern Free State is a magical place where pre-historic animals, early tribes, forces of nature and time itself have all had a hand in sculpting this beautiful region. A bounty of natural, historical and cultural attractions lie waiting to be explored. more

Marvel over centuries-old San rock art paintings; meet the Basotho people and hear their ancient stories; see the colourful sandstone formations in the Golden Gate National Park; go cherry picking in Ficksburg, buy art in Clarens; and experience Bloemfontein, the 'City of Roses'. more

If you are touring the Free State, the Oliewenhuis Art Museum in Bloemfontein is a must. It’s situated in a striking neo-Cape Dutch building and features work by top South African artists, art exhibitions, a superb restaurant and magnificent gardens. more

The Motheo and Xhariep regions of the Free State boast a number of significant historical and cultural sites. This, combined with their abundant natural attractions – from mountains and dams to game reserves – positions them perfectly to offer a holistic South African tourism experience. more

The history of the Free State is fraught with cultural clashes, wars, victories, surrenders, peace treaties and conventions. Two of the most significant events that unfolded here and helped shape the history of South Africa were the arrival of the Voortrekkers and the South African War. more

Many of the visitors to the Cheetah Experience in Bloemfontein have never seen a cheetah, lion or leopard before. Many are so moved by the experience of being up close with the animals at this sanctuary for big cats that they become cheetah volunteers. more

The Phakisa Raceway is where average people in the street can test their driving or riding skills on a world-class circuit. For a small fee you will be let loose on a racing track that has hosted many of the top names in international motor sport. more

The Free State town of Koffiefontein used to be a favourite stopover for transport riders. This is where they took their coffee breaks, and where 1 of them found a diamond near a spring and sparked off a major mining boom. more

From fine dining in Bloemfontein and the small town treats of Clarens, to fresh fare from the farm and the mountains, the food terroir of the Free State serves up marvellous menus that reflect the history and culture of its chefs and the climatic conditions in which they cook. more

Renowned artists of the Free State include Willem Pretorius and his quirky cow sculptures; Dahla Hulme and her brutish artworks using industrial farming implements; Michele Nigrini’s bold paintings of the mountains and valleys; and Motseokae Klas Thibeletsa’s vivid expressions of life in Thaba Nchu. more

In Smithfield, a southern Free State town, there is a man who listens to outer space. One day he might meet an extra-terrestrial – or not. As far as Henk Swanepoel is concerned, his UFO Research Centre is an essential listening post for signs of extra-terrestrial life. more

Food in the Free State has for far too long been pigeonholed as fodder for an unsophisticated carnivore with an appetite for little besides sport and meat. Prepare to be surprised: a rich, aromatic casserole of delicious things has been quietly simmering in the melting pot of Free State food. more

Jagersfontein in the southern Free State was once world-famous for its high-quality diamonds. After a 40-year slump, the little village looks to have a bright future again, as a new mining company begins to work the dump tailings and a local craft project produces world-class Afro-French wire and glass keepsakes. more