TOURIST INFORMATION
The Vaal Meander Tourist Information Centre
PO Box 263558, Three Rivers, 1935
Tel: 016 424 1121
E-mail: pro@vaalmeander.co.za
Website: www.vaalmeander.co.za
The town, named Vanderbijlpark, was formally proclaimed in 1949 and achieved municipal status in 1952. Unlike the towns of the Witwatersrand, which owe their development to the discovery of gold, Vanderbijlpark owes its establishment to the expansion of the iron and steel industry of South Africa. Its creation and phenomenal development is in main to be attributed to the vision and foresight of its founder, the late Dr. HJ van der Bijl. Today Vanderbijlpark is a modern town, exuding an air of spaciousness thanks to its many wide boulevards that encircle the suburbs and lead into the central business district. Vanderbijlpark is located next to the dual carriage N1 highway between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, which automatically also places the main towns and cities of the Free State within easy reach. Its most important attribute is its location on the banks of the majestic Vaal River. Most of the riverfront is taken up by Emfuleni Park, a delightful weekend recreation site. Exciting weekend water sports and relaxing late afternoon angling are ways in which the residents of Vanderbijlpark utilise the Vaal River to good effect.
