Ask your average Joburger if they've spent much time in Hatfield and chances are, unless they studied at Tuks (University of Pretoria) or have family or friends in the area, the answer is no. If this sounds like you, there's no better time than now to get out and experience Jacaranda City.

How do you get there? Skip the highway drive and take the Gautrain from Joburg to Hatfield; it's a pleasant and safe journey that's just under an hour. Once there, you'll find this underrated suburb is well worth exploring and full of surprises. Whether historical landmarks, contemporary art or natural splendour are on your radar, there's plenty to see and do in a day with the Hatfield Gautrain station as your springboard.

Pretoria's student district

The University of Pretoria campus was established in Hatfield, east of the Pretoria City Centre, in 1910. It steadily grew during the mid-20th century to become one of the biggest campuses in the country and academia still dominates life here. The area has seen huge development in recent years and on almost every corner is a new high-rise student residence, some of which have become major landmarks with their colourful embellishments and distinctive modern architecture.

While much of the university campus is out of bounds to visitors, the university's impressive Javett-UP Art Centre is open to all and is worth a day trip in itself. Bordering Hatfield to the north and west is leafy Arcadia, an old-fashioned suburb whose wide streets are lined with grand embassies and beautiful jacaranda trees, and is home to the historic Union Buildings , the official office of the president.

Getting around from Hatfield Station 

You can easily reach the centre of Hatfield and the university campus on foot from the Gautrain station. Make sure to keep near the university as this will ensure your safety. The Union Buildings are a longer walk (about 45 minutes), although on weekdays you can take advantage of the Arcadia Gautrain Gaubus and Midibus. From Hatfield station, Gautrain buses also link up on weekdays with the more distant leafy suburbs of Brooklyn, Lynnwood and Menlyn.  Find the route info and timetables here.

1. Art museums

If South African art is your thing, you can easily make a day of exploring these excellent art museums featuring world-renowned pieces.

JAVETT-UP ART CENTRE The Javett-UP Art Centre at the University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s most impressive art museums that boldly calls itself a “home to the art of Africa”. The museum’s art collection is huge and accompanying the exhibits are extensive educational materials, screening rooms and guided art walks, meaning there’s more than enough to keep you occupied for several hours.

Javett-UP hosts an expansive selection of modern and contemporary South African art, some of it on loan from major private collections, complemented by stunningly curated temporary exhibitions. On show is a who’s who of South African art greats, including works by the likes of William Kentridge , Mary Sibande , Sam Nhlengethwa , Gerard Sekoto ,  Zanele Muholi , Alexis Preller , George Pemba  and Penny Siopis .

Among the centre's many large-scale signature works are Alexis Preller’s formidable Discovery frieze and a magnificent tapestry from 2014 by Keiskamma Art Project. Styled after Picasso's Guernica  it details the extraordinary pain and devastation wrought across the Eastern Cape during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Javett-UP also celebrates Africa's ancient art history in the high-tech Gold of Africa wing which has provided a spectacular home for the iconic gold rhino, leopard and other priceless treasures from the precious Mapungubwe Collection , as well as a glittering exhibition of intricate gold decorations and accessories from West Africa.  Find out more about visiting the Javett-UP Art Centre here.

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA MUSEUM GALLERIES The University of Pretoria has other museum galleries across the road from Javett-UP with excellent permanent exhibitions. The South African Ceramics Gallery displays 20th- and 21st-century studio and factory production ceramics, including contemporary fine art ceramics, while the World of Ceramics Gallery exhibits more than 2,000 ceramics from across the world, with works dating back to the Neolithic period in China. 

The Van Tilburg Art Collection Gallery in the Old Arts Building (a magnificent historical sandstone building with a distinctive clock tower) exhibits 17th- to 20th-century Dutch masterpieces and historical furniture. The Sculpture Gallery in the impressive Old Merensky Building,  also known as the Eduardo Villa Museum , houses more than 200 classic and modern sculptures. Beyond the gallery walls, the university's Sculpture Route features work by distinguished South African artists, including Isaac Seoka, Angus Taylor and Anton Smit . The shorter route is about a 30-minute walk and is wheelchair friendly, while the extended route is around an hour and a half. Find out about admission and tour fees here.
  
How to get there: On weekdays take the H1 Brooklyn Gautrain Midibus and get off at the second stop on the corner of Lynnwood and University roads. The Javett-UP Art Centre is located on Lynnwood Road (close to the Roper Street entrance to the University of Pretoria campus) just over 2km from the Hatfield Gautrain station.
 
PRETORIA ART MUSEUM One of Pretoria’s lesser-celebrated attractions is the Pretoria Art Museum in Arcadia. A fine example of the International Style in architecture, the spacious museum presents a broad overview of 20th- and 21st-century South African art, including some fine works by the likes of JH Pierneef , Irma Stern  and sculptor Anton van Wouw . This museum is also host to the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition showcase, an annual favourite of ours. 
 
How to get there: Take the H3 Arcadia Gautrain Midibus (weekdays only) and get off at the stop at the corner of Park and Wessels streets in front of the museum.

2. Historical sightseeing

Designed by Sir Herbert Baker to commemorate the Union of South Africa in 1910, the grand Union Buildings are the official office of the South African President and one of the most famous landmarks in the country. Set on a hill, from here you have some of the best views of the city, and the manicured terrace gardens, with their superb city vistas, are always a popular place for photo shoots or picnics.

In 1994 Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratic president, was inaugurated here and in December 2013, upon Mandela’s death, his body lay in state here. Though you cannot enter the buildings you can admire them from the outside, as well as the towering nine-metre bronze statue of Nelson Mandela that stands in front. You can also visit the amphitheatre and stand where Mandela once stood many a time.
 
How to get there: Take the H3 Arcadia Gautrain Midibus (weekdays only) and get off at the Union Buildings stop. 

3. Nature in the North