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Skip the highway drive and take the Gautrain from Joburg to Hatfield instead; it's a pleasant journey that's under an hour. Once there, you'll find this underrated suburb is well worth exploring. Come with us as we head north to Pretoria, affectionately known as Jacaranda City. Whether historical landmarks, contemporary art or natural splendour are on your radar, there's plenty to see and do in a day with the Hatfield Gautrain station as your springboard.
PRETORIA'S STUDENT DISTRICT
The University of Pretoria campus was established in Hatfield, east of the Pretoria City Centre, in 1910. It steadily grew during the mid-20th century to become one of the biggest campuses in the country and academia still dominates life here. The area has seen huge development in recent years and on almost every corner is a new high-rise student residence, some of which have become major landmarks in and of themselves with colourful embellishments and distinctive modern architecture.While much of the university campus is out of bounds to visitors, the university's impressive Javett-UP Art Centre is open to all and is worth a day trip in and of itself. Bordering Hatfield to the north and west is leafy Arcadia, an old-fashioned suburb whose wide streets are lined with grand embassies and beautiful jacaranda trees, home to the historic Union Buildings, the official office of the President.
GETTING AROUND FROM HATFIELD STATION
You can easily reach the centre of Hatfield and the university campus on foot from the Gautrain station. The Union Buildings is a longer walk (about 45 minutes), although on weekdays you can take advantage of the Arcadia Gautrain midi-bus. From Hatfield station, Gautrain midi-buses also link up on weekdays with the more distant leafy suburbs of Brooklyn, Lynnwood, and Menlyn. Find the route info and timetables here.ART MUSEUMS
If South African art is your thing, you can easily make a day of exploring these excellent art museums.JAVETT-UP ART CENTRE
The Javett-UP Art Centre at the University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s most impressive art museums that boldly calls itself a “home to the art of Africa”. The museum’s art collection is huge and accompanying the exhibits are extensive educational materials, screening rooms and guided art walks, meaning there’s more than enough to keep you occupied for several hours.
Javett-UP hosts an expansive selection of modern and contemporary South African art, some of it on loan from major private collections, complemented by stunningly curated temporary exhibitions. On show is a who’s who of South African art greats, including works by the likes of William Kentridge, Mary Sibande, Sam Nhlengethwa, Gerard Sekoto, Zanele Muholi, Alexis Preller, George Pemba, and Penny Siopis.
Among the museum's many large-scale signature works are Alexis Preller’s formidable Discovery frieze and a magnificent tapestry from 2014 by Keiskamma Art Project. Styled after Picasso's Guernica it details the extraordinary pain and devastation wrought across the Eastern Cape during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Javett-UP also celebrates Africa's ancient art history in the high-tech Gold of Africa wing which has provided a spectacular new home for the iconic gold rhino, leopard and other priceless treasures from the precious Mapungubwe Collection, as well as a glittering exhibition of intricate gold decorations and accessories from West Africa. Find out more about visiting the Javett-UP Art Centre here.
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA MUSEUM GALLERIES
The University of Pretoria has other museum galleries across the road from Javett-UP with excellent permanent exhibitions. The South African Ceramics Gallery displays 20th and 21st-century studio and factory production ceramics, including contemporary fine art ceramics, while the World Ceramics Gallery exhibits more than 2,000 ceramics from across the world, with works dating back to the Neolithic period in China.
The Van Tilburg Art Collection Gallery in the Old Arts Building (a magnificent historical sandstone building with a distinctive clock tower) exhibits 17th to 20th-century Dutch masterpieces and historical furniture. The Sculpture Gallery in the impressive Old Merensky Building is also known as the Eduardo Villa Museum, comprising more than 200 classic and modern sculptures. Beyond the gallery walls, the university's Sculpture Route features work by distinguished South African artists including Izaac Seoka, Angus Taylor and Anton Smit. The shorter route is about a 30-minute walk and is wheelchair friendly, while the extended route is around an hour and a half. Find out about admission and tour fees here.
How to get there: On weekdays take the H1 Brooklyn Gautrain midi-bus and get off at the second stop on the corner of Lynwood and University Roads. The Javett-UP Art Centre is located on Lynwood Road (close to the Roper Street entrance to the University of Pretoria campus) just over 2km from the Hatfield Gautrain station.
PRETORIA ART MUSEUM
One of Pretoria’s lesser-celebrated attractions is the Pretoria Art Museum in Arcadia. A fine example of the International Style in architecture, the spacious museum presents a broad overview of 20th and 21st-century South African art, including some fine works by the likes of JH Pierneef, Irma Stern, and sculptor Anton van Wouw.
How to get there: Take the H3 Arcadia Gautrain midi-bus (weekdays only) and get off at the stop at the corner of Park and Wessels Streets in front of the museum.
HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING
Designed by Sir Herbert Baker to commemorate the Union of South Africa in 1910, the grand Union Buildings are the official office of the South African President and one of the most famous landmarks in the country. Set on a hill, from here you have some of the best views of the city, and the manicured, terrace gardens with their superb city vistas are always a popular place for photo shoots.In 1994 Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratic president, was inaugurated here and in December 2013, upon Mandela’s death, his body lay in state here. Though you cannot enter the buildings you can admire them from the outside, as well as the towering nine-metre bronze statue of Nelson Mandela that stands in front.
How to get there: Take the H3 Arcadia Gautrain midi-bus (weekdays only) and get off at the Union Buildings stop.
NATURE IN THE NORTH
For nature lovers, Pretoria doesn't disappoint with its sprawling gardens, pristine hiking trails and a fabulous plant nursery to boot, all within short driving distance from the Hatfield Gautrain station.
PRETORIA NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
Where can you access a Madagascan forest, a bat walk, a dassie trail, and a chance to experience a warmer climate under an hour’s drive from Johannesburg? For these reasons (and more, like wheelchair paths and a profusion of bird life) Pretoria National Botanical Garden in Brummeria is well worth a day trip. The garden is the administrative hub for all of SANBI – the South African National Biodiversity Institute – and home to the National Herbarium.
The tree route is an opportunity to learn more about 50 indigenous trees, while the 6.4-hectare grassland boasts more than 300 plant species. Look out for the beautifully painted huts in Ndebele designs; around them medicinal plants are the focus – and there is fascinating information to be learnt about the uses of these plants. If you find yourself hungry, there are two restaurants in the garden. The African Pride Café has a deck overlooking an artificial wetland area, while The Milkplum restaurant has great lunch fare for the whole family to enjoy. Find out what else to look out for on your visit here.
FAERIE GLEN NATURE RESERVE
Bordering the suburb of Faerie Glen in the east of Pretoria, Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is a pristine respite from its built-up surrounds. With impressive wildlife (look out for larger game like impala and zebra, and smaller mammals including mongooses, hares and porcupines) and scenic views out over the city, this reserve makes for excellent urban hiking. There are three trails ranging from a 2.3km loop to a more challenging 4.3km route.
SAFARI GARDEN CENTRE
If your thumbs are greener than your hiking boots, you may prefer a visit to Safari Garden Centre; an impressive plant nursery in Lynnwood. The thatched buildings and meandering pathways make for a lovely, winding walk, and when it comes to the selection of plants, what's on offer is extensive – from tropical orchids to desert-dwelling euphorbia.
WHERE TO EAT
No need to pack a picnic lunch for your journey, there are delightful local cafés and good coffee spots within striking distance of the Hatfield Gautrain station to grab a cup to-go or settle into for a bite to eat.
Four blocks walk from the station on the other side of Stanza Bopape Street is the Colbyn Village development on the corner of Thompson and Duncan Streets, a lovely neighbourhood corner spot with some cute cafés.
For light lunches, coffee, milkshakes and an array of delicious cakes take a seat at the friendly Trixie's Café. If you're there on a Monday, go in for their R50 breakfast special. NUSH Café is a great spot on the corner that serves all-day breakfast and tasty Mexican bowls. We also recommend buying some of their freshly baked bread to take home. A stop at Colbyn Village's retro-styled Royal Danish homemade ice-cream parlour is a must, especially on a hot day. This mom-and-daughter duo make some of the best ice-cream in Pretoria and is always dreaming up interesting new flavours such as lemon curd, pumpkin pie and red velvet. Aroma Coffee Roastery and its sister shop Aroma Gelato and Waffle Lounge on Lynnwood Road are ever-popular amongst both students and residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods. We can see why, thanks to their fresh coffee, delicious sandwiches and scoops of delectable gelato (served from the shop window).
Three blocks south of the Hatfield Gautrain station, Bravo Pizzeria is a fun and laidback spot with a small, sunny terrace for a bite of pizza from their wood-fired pizza oven. With this being a student neighbourhood they also often have lots of great specials.
The heart of Hatfield’s student scene is centred around the corner of Prospect Street and Hilda Street, two blocks from the station. Here you'll find Bamlilo Coffee Co. inside of Hatfield Studios for coffees, frozen drinks, light meals and baked treats. To sink your teeth into the comforts of a mega-sized vetkoek, head down Burnett Street to the institution that is Vetkoek Maleis. Their tagline is that they'll beat your Ouma's vetkoeks any day and many a student will testify to the take-out joint's ability to revive them after a night out on the town. Insider's tip: the chicken surprise comes highly recommended. For more student fare, head to Uncle Faouzi, also on Burnett Street. It's a relaxed spot where students unpack their hubblies and fill up on flavourful wraps, kebabs, schwarmas and burgers. For the ultimate student takeaway, head over to Varsity Bakery on Lynnwood Road. It's been around since 1982 and forms the backbone of many a story over the years. Their burgers are legendary and their prices pocket-friendly.
Mustang Sally's Pub & Grill is a Hatfield institution. This retro, American-styled diner doesn't skimp on portion sizes and boasts the best burgers in town, with reasonable prices. If you dare, try one of their 'fish bowls'. Names like 'hippie juice' and 'holy water' are perhaps a bit misleading but consider yourself warned. If a cold one is what you're after once your day's meanderings are done, grab an Uber or Bolt to the Captial Craft Beer Academy in Menlo Park before you catch your train back home.
Down the road from Capital Craft are the bustling streets that make up The Village in Hazelwood. Definitely worth a stop after your explorations, the trendy hub of eateries offers something for every palate from the morning to the evening in a relaxed yet vibey setting.
HOW TO USE THE GAUTRAIN
Pay for your Gautrain and midi-bus trips using a contactless bank card by simply swiping in and out of the turnstiles at stations and tapping the touchpoint on the midi-bus when you enter. Alternatively, buy a Swift card at the station and top it up with credit to pay for your trips.
The Hatfield Gautrain station opens at 05:09 and closes at 21:22. The first train departs the station at 05:24 and the last at 20:35 (20:30 on weekends). Trains leave every 10 minutes during weekday peak rush hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours. On weekends trains depart every 30 minutes. The first Gautrain midi-bus leaves Hatfield at 06:21 and the last at 20:41. Midi-buses depart every 20 minutes. Note that there are no Gautrain midi-bus services on weekends.
Download the Gautrain app for real-time updates on when the next Gautrain and midi-bus is due or find the schedule online at gautrain.co.za. For a helpful overview, check out our guide to using the Gautrain here.
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