Tarkastad is a semi-urban settlement located in the Karoo region of South Africa's Eastern Cape province. It is situated on a plain north of the Winterberg mountain range along the R61 road between Cradock and Komani, approximately three hours away from Gqeberha.
The town sits on the banks of the Tarka River. Its name is believed to originate from a combination of the Khoi-Khoi word Traka or the Celtic word Tarka with the Afrikaans word Stad. Additionally, the settlement is overlooked by two peaks known as Martha and Mary, which are said to resemble two women resting after a hard day's work.