Click below for a showcase of what we can offer:
Sandstone Estates invites visitors to experience one of South Africa’s most remarkable living heritage destinations. From historic steam train journeys to fascinating vintage collections and scenic landscapes, there is something unique to discover around every corner.
Upcoming events:
Sandstone Cherry Steam Festival 2026
12 – 14 November
Sandstone will be back with our November Cherry Steam Festival, coinciding with the neighbouring Cherry Crop Celebration at Ionia Farm and the Ficksburg area cherry harvest. The farm will once again come alive with a showcase of South Africa’s mechanical, military, agricultural, aviation, motoring and steam heritage, with new additions to our collection.
You can expect vintage tractors and earthmoving machinery, Afrikaner trek oxen, classic trucks and cars, open doors to our extensive military collection in partnership with the SA Armour Museum, and beautiful classic aircraft overhead from the Classic Flying Collection.
Tickets & Camping Bookings are available through Quicket below.
Pricing:
- Adults: R385
- Pensioners (60+): R315
- Kids (aged 4-15): R195
- Children aged 3 and under are free
Multi-day packages will be available at discounted rates.
Tickets will also be available for purchase at the gate on each day of the festival.
Accommodation
If you’re visiting the Eastern Free State, Sandstone Estates offers relaxed, affordable self-catering accommodation on a working farm that is also home to the internationally renowned Sandstone Heritage collection. From here, you can explore the surroundings, enjoy the peace of the farm, and take part in unique heritage experiences during your stay.
Cottages can be booked for one night or more, and additional mattresses can be requested for children under 12.
Please call or email us to book your stay.
Note: Our guest accommodation is already fully booked for the November 2026 festival weekend, and are waitlisted for Easter 2027. We are working to make additional accommodation options available in the future.
Victorian Cottages
A comfortable self-catering option for families or groups, with everything you need for an easy farm stay. Sandstone has six Victorian Cottages, sleeping up to 24 guests in total.
Cottage features:
- Sleeps 4 guests per cottage
- Two twin-bed rooms (2 guests per room max)
- Self-catering kitchen
- Bathroom with shower
- Braai facilities available by arrangement
R2,920 per cottage per night (VAT incl)
Railway Cottages
For a simpler, budget-friendly stay, our four Railway Cottages provide accommodation for up to 8 guests in total. These cottages offer twin-bedded rooms and self-catering essentials in a kitchenette area, making them ideal for couples, friends, and heritage visitors who want comfort without fuss.
Cottage features:
- Twin-bed rooms (max. adult occupancy: 2)
- Bathroom with shower
- Bar fridge, microwave, cutlery and crockery
- Braai facilities available by arrangement
R594 per person sharing per night (VAT incl)
Camping at Sandstone
Prefer to bring your caravan or tent? Sandstone offers on-site camping with generous space, a large modern ablution block, and optional pre-paid electricity for your stand.
Campsite highlights:
- 50 stands
- Pre-paid electricity available
- Large, modern ablution block
- Maximum one caravan per stand
- Water points at every stand
R548 per stand per night (VAT incl)
On-site facilities
To make your stay easy and enjoyable, Sandstone offers a range of on-site conveniences and experiences:
Walking tours of the Heritage Collection
Conference facilities
Secure parking
4G Vodacom coverage
Landing strip for fly-ins by light aircraft
WALKING TOURS
Outside of our events, it is possible to visit Sandstone for a guided walking tour of our heritage assets. The walking tour involves approximately a 2-hour visit. We walk you through all the buildings including our tractor collection, 2-ft Narrow Gauge Railway workshops, Traction Engines, Buses, Cars, Military Vehicles and many other items of interest. Basic refreshments are available.
Walking Tours are available on weekdays and Saturday mornings. Weekdays tours aim to depart at 10h00 and 14h00 daily, when we can accommodate walk-ins. For tours at other times during the week, or on a Saturday up to 12pm, please call ahead to book.
Please note we are closed on Sundays.
- R390-00 (VAT incl.) per adult
- R250-00 (VAT incl.) per child under 16 (age 10-15)
- Children under 10 are free
*Please note this is new pricing as of July 2026
PRIVATE RAILWAY EXPERIENCES
1) Railcar or Rail Trolley Experience
If time is limited and your group is small, you can add a unique rail journey using one of our rare rail vehicles:
1910 BSA Rail Car (up to 3 passengers)
A classic Edwardian railcar updated with new technology while maintaining an authentic experience. It is modelled on a railcar used by the High Commissioner for Uganda in 1910.
Wickham Rail Trolley (up to 8 passengers)
A practical and fun option for small groups that offers a different way to experience the rail system.
Rates (incl. VAT):
R1,450 per trip to the Lesotho border
R4,140 per trip covering Hoekfontein, Grootdraai and Mooihoek sections
2) Narrow Gauge Steam Railways
Sandstone operates the largest private 2-ft Narrow Gauge Railway in the world, with 20+ locomotives in use and two separate lines, including one that runs through our game camp.
Seb’s Heart of Africa Railway through the Game Camp (groups of up to 30 people)
We offer a steam train trip on Seb’s Heart of Africa Railway, a gentler ride designed specifically for smaller locomotives that do not typically operate on the main line.
The journey travels through open grassland, crosses a large dam (where the train pauses for the view), and then enters a moody forest landscape that feels wonderfully unexpected in the Free State.
Main Line Steam Excursions (larger groups)
For larger groups, we can arrange steam excursions using one of our rare and unique locomotives. Options range from a half-hour steam trip to the border and back, to a longer 2-hour journey around the full rail system using one of our large Narrow Gauge Garratts. These excursions require advance planning, and pricing is quoted according to group size and requirements.
Note: The trains may be hauled by steam or diesel traction, depending on availability.
Ox Wagon Rides with our Famous Afrikaner Oxen
We have a team of trained Afrikaner oxen who can be in-spanned at the client’s request, with a variety of ox wagons seating up to 8 people. We recommend a slow trip out to our airfield and a return by foot, or you can be collected in a Samil 20 Troop Carrier or the BSA Rail Car depending on the size of the group.
Pricing is R1582-00 incl VAT per trip. Pre booking is essential.
FILM LOCATIONS
Sandstone Estates offers a versatile filming location featuring the Sandstone Steam railway consisting of 25 steam locomotives, extensive heritage collections, diverse landscapes, and vintage props, suitable for movies, videos, and photography. Sandstone Estates has been the chosen location for numerous film shoots over the years. These have ranged from Feature Films, including a number of “Bollywood” productions, Corporate and launch video productions, Music Videos, International News features and over 130 productions, on our world famous 2ft narrow gauge railway, featured on the YouTube channel.
Costing and Contact Custom quotations are available based on client needs. Interested parties can contact via the website or email (mikem@sandstone.co.za) for further arrangements. The estate encourages visits to experience the location firsthand before filming.
Film Location Features:
- The estate features two railway systems: a 12 km main line and a 2.95 km children’s railway within a game camp, both operable with different locomotives.
- Heritage buildings (such as the railway stations) and varied landscapes across the property and throughout the railway, including curves, gradients, mountains, grasslands.
- Period props like traction engines, ox wagons, vintage vehicles, and military gear. The collection’s heritage items can be used as static or working props, enhancing visual authenticity.
- The natural scenery includes eroded sandstone mountains and nearby Maluti Mountains, creating a distinctive backdrop.
- Best lighting occurs in winter at dawn or sunset, with generally sunny weather. Accommodation and Amenities On-site accommodation includes Victorian and Railway Cottages, each with twin rooms, and a large campsite. The estate’s main complex can host large groups with indoor and outdoor seating, including restored dining cars and a restaurant. Nearby accommodations range from guesthouses to hotels, supporting extended stays.
Ready to Visit Sandstone Estates?
Start planning your trip today and experience the history, landscapes, and heritage collections that make Sandstone Estates a one-of-a-kind destination.
