Serving as the gateway to the arid wilderness of the Great Karoo, the little South African heritage town of Prince Albert is surrounded by an oasis of magnificent mountains, fresh sparkling water, lush gardens, vineyards and fruit orchards. This small Karoo gem is home to beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings. It is a popular place in which to relax in the sun and enjoy the peaceful serenity of the town or appreciate the spectacular clear and star-filled night sky to the rare sound of deafening silence. Visitors can discover ancient fossils and a working moonshine distillery at the Fransie Pienaar Museum, enjoy a historical walking tour through the town and drive along the edge of the harrowing 19th-century Swartberg Pass offering dramatic mountain views. Other popular activities include: hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and botanical excursions.