By the time diamonds were discovered in 1868, many traders, travelers, peddlers, explorers and missionaries were already quite familiar with the Karoo. There were already well established routes into the interior. One of the main arteries to the North passed through the present-day guest farm, Travalia. The first reliable services to the diamond fields were well underway by 1870. Coaches passed the point where Travalia’s buildings are situated and rushed on to Brakfontein for refreshment, fodder and fresh horses.Obviously passengers who became ill became an unacceptable burden. There was simply no way to attend to them and no time to stop. Such was the fate of young George Hamman. He and his friends were off to seek their fortunes at the diamond diggings. They were traveling in one of the rapid, rough and ready conveyances of the day and it was a particularly cold winter. Young George who had started the journey with a chill developed pneumonia. He did recover and he purchased the farm, a portion of which is now known as Travalia. So it was that Travalia began with a firm base of friendship and hospitality – a tradition which is still observed today.

Jogging, swimming.

Beaufort West is 70km from Travalia where the Chris Barnard Museum is situated.