Marvel at the whirlpool potholes of Bourke’s Luck Potholes

Where the Blyde River meets the Treur River, the water has carved a spectacular work of art into the rock over thousands of years. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are a geological wonder – deep, cylindrical rock potholes surrounded by sandstone in shades of red, ochre, brown and green. It is a place where the forces of nature become visible.

Walkways and bridges lead you safely over the gorges, from where you can look down into the fascinating rock formations. Here, water has set pebbles swirling in endless eddies and over generations created these smoothly polished, almost unreal shapes. The play of colours changes with the position of the sun and the water levels – sometimes the rock glows like copper, sometimes it shimmers cool and greenish.

The potholes are easy to reach and make an ideal stop along the Panorama Route between Sabie and the Blyde River Canyon. Allow some time to read the information boards and capture the rock colours with your camera. The place is especially impressive after rain, when the water flows clear and strong.