Also sometimes known as 'Haarties', Hartbeespoort is a large dam an hour's drive from Johannesburg. With a beautiful mountain backdrop and lots of farm shops to explore this is a popular spot with weekend holiday-makers from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Much of the coastline of the dam is unfortunately private, belonging to those whose houses face onto the water, although there are some areas where you can access the waterfront for a fee. It is also possible to park your car at the dam crossing on the north-western edge and admire the views. Despite the presence of the large dam, most visitors without access to a holiday home come here to enjoy the nearby mountains and valleys or to make a stop off on their way north to a safari in the Pilanesberg.

The most popular activity for daytrippers is taking a ride up the Magaliesberg mountains on the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway to admire the views. Other popular activities in the Magaliesberg area include visits to some of the nearby farms such as the Van Gaalen cheese farm, lunch at a countryside restaurant, a trip up in one of Bill Harrops hot-air balloons, a round of golf at the Jack Nicklaus designed Pecanwood golf course or a visit to the Cradle of Humankind which is around 45mins drive from Johannesburg on the way to the Magaliesberg.