Windhoek’s beautiful old Cape Dutch–style train station on Bahnhof St was constructed by the Germans in 1912, and was expanded in 1929 by the South African administration. Across the driveway from the entrance is the German steam locomotive Poor Old Joe, which was shipped to Swakopmund in 1899 and reassembled for the treacherous journey across the desert to Windhoek. Upstairs in the train station is the small but worthwhile Trans-Namib Transport Museum outlining Namibian transport history, with a focus on rail transport.
Trans-Namib Transport Museum
Windhoek
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.74 MILES
Windhoek’s best-recognised landmark, and something of an unofficial symbol of the city, this German Lutheran church stands on a traffic island and lords…
8.51 MILES
This beautiful wildlife park sits in the Khomas Hochland about 18km west of Windhoek. You can walk to your heart’s content through lovely wildlife-rich…
0.44 MILES
The excellent display on Namibia’s independence at the country’s historical museum provides some enlightening context to the struggles of this young…
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Although this leafy park served as a public zoo until 1962, today it functions primarily as a picnic spot and shady retreat for lunching office workers…
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Opened in 2014, this museum is dedicated to the country's anticolonial and independence struggle. The first floor tells the story of Namibia under…
1.28 MILES
Uphill from Robert Mugabe Ave are the three Windhoek 'castles', including the 1914 Heinitzburg, which today houses a hotel and fine restaurant. The other…
0.47 MILES
Part of the National Museum of Namibia, located about 600m from the main building, exhibits at the Owela Museum focus on Namibia’s natural and cultural…
0.84 MILES
The former administrative headquarters of German South West Africa have been given a new mandate as the Namibian parliament building. As a fitting homage…
Nearby Windhoek attractions
At the entry to the train station parking area, you’ll see the Owambo Campaign Memorial, which was erected in 1919 to commemorate the 1917 British and…
0.18 MILES
Dating from 1908, the gabled brick Old Supreme Court was a court from 1920 to 1930, when the legal system was changing from the German to the South…
0.34 MILES
The Turnhalle was built in 1909 as a training hall for the Windhoek Gymnastic Club, though in 1975 it was modernised and turned into a conference hall. On…
0.4 MILES
This art gallery contains a permanent collection of works reflecting Namibia’s historical and natural heritage. The collection displays works by…
0.44 MILES
The excellent display on Namibia’s independence at the country’s historical museum provides some enlightening context to the struggles of this young…
0.47 MILES
Part of the National Museum of Namibia, located about 600m from the main building, exhibits at the Owela Museum focus on Namibia’s natural and cultural…
0.53 MILES
Along Independence Ave are three colonial-era buildings, all designed by the famous architect Willi Sander. The one furthest south was built in 1902 as…
0.61 MILES
This old courthouse was built in 1898 for Carl Ludwig, the state architect, but it was never used and was eventually drafted into service as the…