Barberton Museum
Barberton Museum
3.8
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.8
28 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
2
MOYENI
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa99 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We decided to explore the museums in Barberton whilst holidaying in White River and spent a day meandering around the little town. We began our tour at the Barberton Museum - not only free but very convenient parking available directly in front of the entrance. We found it informative, well maintained and an unexpected delight after reading the negative reviews. The various displays kept us interested for over an hour. Barberton is embraced by a veritable treasure trove of geological rock formations that expose the birthing of our earth and the room dedicated to these rocks is a must do. One is taught to "read" the origins contained in the rock "writing" from early volcanic eruptions to early life forms. We found the whole experience fascinating. The Heritage Walk took us to both Belhaven and Stopforth - early homes of local business men - superbly maintained and furnished and presided over by tourist guides eager to share their knowledge. It has been a while since we have so enjoyed a town. It is full of history and has the landmarks to prove it and all beautifully staged amongst the wild jacarandas with their scarlet blossoms. My only caveat was that the museums close for lunch hour and finding somewhere to eat proved elusive. So we gave up. But spying large rocks of Verdite and Ochre etc littering the pavements more than compensated. It was a very busy and very satisfying day.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andries B
11 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
A cross range of history from the origins of the mining town to the local tribes and the most recent political protagonists.
It's free so worth 30 minutes.
It's free so worth 30 minutes.
Written 1 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BWM55
Durbanville, South Africa204 contributions
Aug 2019
A small and clean museum that was very informative re the area especially if you are interested in the the years of struggle. Wished to see more of the history of the area, mining history etc.
Staff at front desk not very polite or helpful. More interested in her mobile phone than guests.
Staff at front desk not very polite or helpful. More interested in her mobile phone than guests.
Written 10 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke P
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa18 contributions
Sept 2021
Barberton is named after the Barber brothers, but this museum has them as the Barberton brothers. There are bizarre displays all over the place, many not labelled. Cardboard cutouts showing hominin evolution? Possibly - but who knows? And what is the significance to Barberton? Stuffed birds in glass cases, not labelled, and down on the floor where one has to kneel to see them? What is going on? Is this museum seeking a cult status as the worst designed in the world? Not only that, but the several annexes (Stopforth House, Belhaven etc) will not let you in without a ticket from the main museum. There is no indication of this anywhere on the brochures issued by the museum. But when you ask for a ticket at the main museum, they direct you back to Stopforth House! School kids would do a better job of running this circus.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia Z
Greater Manchester, UK66 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Very interesting town, lots of gold rush (1880s) information. Some items difficult to find on the suggested walk. But interesting Anglican Church with a verdite font and plaque to the Barber brothers who founded the town by finding gold. Very helpful & friendly verger on duty. Took 2 goes to find the statue of Jock of the Bushveld, who was based here.
Written 14 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeB64
Tampa, FL247 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Barberton Museum contains a treasure trove of history, large wall photographs & equipment used during the Barber's life successfully staking out and working a Gold Mine in the highveld of Mpumalanga. Great insight to beating the odds of wild animals, natives, mine hijackers, disease and sickness. Especially like the group photos such as the women all dressed in nice period dress with hats & each holding a rifle. Or the photograph of the men & women playing instruments for a musical day in the Park. So, with all their trials & tribulations, they still found time to enjoy a Sunday Picnic. Highly recommended browse & educational walk thru the museum and the grounds.
Written 10 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeardedwonderKzn
KZN169 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Not a large museum. It has a display of local residents that had a significant impact on the struggle for liberation in South Africa. Also good displays of the history of mining operations in the area.
Written 21 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerhard B
Mbombela, South Africa10 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
This museum incorporate other nearby buildings in and around town and contain so much history about the area.
Written 12 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marliesliebenberg
Barberton, South Africa6 contributions
Oct 2016
Barberton is a quaint goldmining town dating from the gold rush days of the 1880's. It has a fascinating history and the museum does not only highlight the mining history, but also the geology, archaeology and Swazi culture of the area. There are also 2 house museums which can be visited daily per guided tour --Belhaven and Stopforth.
Written 13 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles P
Germiston, South Africa267 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
A nice experience if you love history. You have to take a walk on the wild side. Start at the Museum and follow the heritage walk through town. Belhaven House Museum and Stopforth House is great. Real heritage in an ood Town(1884).
Written 17 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What cell phone service provider has the best signal in Barberton.
Written 27 February 2017
Definitely not Vodacom if you are going to travel to outlying areas. CellC seems to get best overall coverage in all areas including remote areas.
Written 16 December 2017
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