The Vaal’s Emerald Casino is more than the spin of the wheel or the turn of a card. It boasts an Aquadome for water enthusiasts, shops and restaurants and two kilometers of river frontage where one can stay in self catering chalets. And who would believe an African experience in the heart of the Vaal Triangle! Animal World is a truly remarkable experience where one can take a guided day drive viewing African game and encounter white rhino at close quarters. Often overlooked on a short visit to the Vaal is the Treehaven Waterfowl Trust. This remarkable 30 acres of wetlands hosts more than 150 species of waterfowl, attracting photographers and nature lovers from all over the world.
You can take a hiking trail over the rolling hills of the Suikerboschrand or a walk through the wildness of the Arboretum Nursery with its magnificient ‘red paintbrush’ and the rare Lepidochrysops Praeterita butterfly.
For the golfing enthusiast, the Vaal boasts magnificient golf courses at Emfuleni, Maccauvlei, Meyerton, the Riviera Country Club and the Parys Golf and Country Estate. Adjacent to the third green at the Maccauvlei golf course (established in 1926) is the garden of remembrance for 68 British soldiers killed in the Boer war. The Riviera Country Club opened in 1938 and was a favourite course of the legendary Bobby Locke.
Getting married! Then go for the Vaal experience. The Vaalwed Association has brought together a number of service providers catering specifically for those wishing to get married. From exquisite venues and magnificient food, down to the smallest details of hand crafted gifts and thank you cards, Vaalwed has the expertise to compliment your needs. The Vaalwed Association holds its main wedding expo in August of each year.
The Vaal Teknorama, officially opened in 1992 by State President FW de Klerk, features the Heritage Exhibition and a museum. The museum reflects the history of the liberation struggle, the Boer War and the concentration camps in the area as well as the industrial development and mining which made the Vaal the industrial hub of South Africa. Visitors to the Teknorama will find an interesting history devoted to the pioneers of the area such as George William Stow, Sammy Marks and Dr Hendrik van der Bijl. Tours can be arranged to visit historic sites such as the Redan petroglyphs, the Sharpeville memorial, Vereeniging’s Constitution Square , the Anglo-Boer War Peace Negotiation site and the Witkop Blockhouse.
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