Fountain Baths Guest Cottages

31/03/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

31/03/2026

Beautiful Barberton...make sure to visit this amazing historical town and let us take you on an unforgettable journey through time with Dusty Tracks - Offroad Adventures

28/03/2026

28/03/2026

On top of the world with Dusty Tracks - Offroad Adventures ... what an amazing experience!!!

23/02/2026

14/02/2026

Barberton Stories – Episode 2
Thomas Mine

This photograph shows Thomas Mine, situated north-east of Barberton town. Its discovery is one of the most legendary tales to emerge from the early gold-rush years.

Charley Thomas was reportedly loafing about Barberton when a prospecting party, moved by kindness, allowed him to join them on their search for riches. As night fell, the group made camp. Charley found a bottle of whisky, drank himself into a deep sleep, and when the party set off again before dawn, he was left behind.

When Charley eventually awoke the next morning, he noticed something remarkable — the rock that had served as his pillow showed clear signs of gold. Samples were taken for assay, and the results were extraordinary: an estimated 100 ounces (3000grams) of gold per ton of ore. This made the find 100`s of times richer than any of the gold mines operating in Johannesburg at the moment.

Sometimes history turns not on careful planning, but on chance, timing, cheap whiskey and a night spent sleeping on the right stone.

The historical image of Thomas Mine appears below.

12/02/2026

Barberton Stories – Episode 1
The Peacock Nugget

On 3 July 1912, near Kaapsehoop outside Barberton, a remarkable discovery was pulled from the gold-rich soil of Mpumalanga. This was no ordinary find — it was the Peacock Gold Nugget, named for its unusual, sculptural shape.

Weighing an incredible 179.8 ounces, the nugget stood as one of the most significant single gold finds in the Barberton district. Yet despite its size and beauty, interest at the time was surprisingly limited.

Eventually, the nugget was purchased from the National Bank by three men known as the B.E.D. Syndicate for £800. Hoping to make a profit, the syndicate later sold the Peacock Nugget to the Bank of England. History, however, had other plans — each man walked away £25 poorer after the deal.

Fast forward more than a century, and the story takes a dramatic turn. Based on today’s gold price and its historic value, the Peacock Nugget would be worth an estimated R14.5 million.

From overlooked treasure to priceless legend, the Peacock Nugget marks the beginning of Barberton Stories — tales of gold, grit, and the people who shaped one of South Africa’s greatest gold-rush regions.

20/01/2026

Working in the area? Make Fountain Baths Guest Cottages your home away from home. Comfortable rooms and a relaxing atmosphere to unwind after a long day.
Call us 073 682 9380

18/01/2026

Incredible how the weather cleared just long enough for us to enjoy a magical day on the mountain...and now raining cats and dogs again!!!

14/01/2026

Sharing some sunshine on a rainy day!
Fountain Baths Guest Cottages

09/01/2026

What an incredible ride! 🚵‍♂️💨 The Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge was an unforgettable event, filled with determination, endurance, and pure passion...

09/01/2026