As far as tourism is concerned, the Free State is divided into five regions namely:

• Central region (administratively called the Motheo District)
• Eastern Free State region (Thabo Mofutsanyana District)
• Goldfields region (Lejweleputswa District)
• Northern Free State region (Fezile Dabi District)
• South-western region (Xhariep District)

The Central Free State with its acidulating plains, absorbing hills and koppies, and woody spruite and river beds, contains the historical and cultural cradle of the province. Today it houses the seat of government of the province, makes the largest contribution to the provincial GOP and generally beats the drum for the pace of development in the province.

The Eastern Free State with its picturesque mountain ranges provides a backdrop to numerous quaint towns, hide-aways and trails meandering through valleys and gorges. The landscape was created by centuries of wind, water and fire, while the sites of Bushman paintings evoke images of a lost civilisation, of myths and of dreams. It begs for exploration.

Further north, the Goldfields derives from the 'golden country' where fields of effulgent sunflowers set the skies ablaze, while the earth yields its precious yellow metal to the mines. Some of the world's richest gold bearing reefs lies in this area and the vivid contrast between the vibrancy of mining and the serenely agrarian villages is remarkable.

The Northern Free State bounded by the Vaal River in the north, is situated in close proximity to the Gauteng area and offers excellent week-end getaways within tranquil and rural areas. In an area with fertile soil and undulating hills, excellent guest houses and game farms afford tourists the opportunity to experience the true character of a typical Free State farm. Apart from the agricultural activities around rural towns, world-renowned Sasolburg is a leading industrialized zone.

The South-western Free State epitomises an almost mystical spatial beauty. The region's vast, spectacular plains house quiet villages - Big Sky Country of its best, allowing the soul to roam until the Orange River and Gariep Dam.