Vanrhynsdorp

The Knersvlakte is a hilly plain bounded by Vanrhynsdorp in the South, Bitterfontein in the North, and the Bokkeveld Mountains in the east. The Bokkeveld mountains can be seen as a faint haze in the distance in the photograph.

The Knersvlakte is covered in many places with small glistening quartz stones. The Knersvlakte is reputed to be named from the crunching sound made by old wagons with iron wheels as they travelled over the many quartz pebbles found on the plain. The vegetation consists of very low shrubs and plants. Bright magenta flowers could be seen across the plain  from just outside Vanrhynsdorp.

Vanryhnsdorp, some 200 miles from Cape Town, is the gateway to Namaqualand. Situated at the edge of the Knersvlakte, the most important attraction is the Kern Nursery. This nursery was founded to preserve the unique Knersvlakte succulents, many of which are sometimes difficult to differentiate from the pebbles near which they grow. It is the largest nursery of South African succulents.

During the spring season there are many routes from Vanrhynsdorp that can be taken to view the flowers. Near Vanrhynsdorp is the Gifberg mountain that, unlike the flat Knersvlakte, has lush vegetation with a variety of plants, including a number of proteas. The mountain has many waterfalls, clear river pools and beautiful rock formations with over forty rock painting sites. Vanrhynsdorp is not far from from Vanrhyn's Pass, which winds in a five mile long S curve up the Bokkeveld Mountains.

The town was established as Troe-Troe in 1751, but renamed in 1880 in recognition of the work of P.B. van Rhyn, a community leader and the first Justice of the Peace.