Northern Drakensberg
- Royal Natal
- Cathedral Peak
- Bergville
- Ladysmith
- Oliviershoek
- Van Reenen

Central Drakensberg
- Monks Cowl
- Champagne Valley
- Injasuti
- Giants Castle
- Highmoor
- Kamberg
- Winterton
- Estcourt
- Mooi River
- Weenen

Southern Drakensberg
- Lotheni
- Vergelegen
- Sani Pass
- Cobham
- Bushmans Nek
- Drakensberg Gardens
- Underberg
- Himeville

Natal Midlands
- Rosetta
- Nottingham Road
- Balgowan
- Howick
- Lidgetton
- Currys Post
- Karkloof
- Lions River
- Fort Nottingham
- Hilton
- Dargle

Drakensberg Attractions
- Bushman Rock Art
- Hiking Trails
- Hot air ballooning
- Horse trails
- Helicopter & Microlight flights
- Restaurants
- Arts & Crafts
- Drakensberg Boys Choir
- Canopy Tours
- Midlands Meander
- Fly Fishing
- Game Viewing
- Golf
- White Water rafting
- Birding
- Quad Biking
- 4x4 Offroad trails
- Battlefield Tours
- Wine Tasting
- Museums
- Bicycle tours
- Abseiling
- Wellness & Spas

Weddings

Conferences

Drakensberg Links

Harrismith - Northern Drakensberg

Harrismith is the centre of one of the five wool producing districts in Southern Africa

Harrismith is the centre of one of the five wool producing districts in Southern Africa. Harrismith was established in 1849 and was named after the glamorous and hard riding British Governor, Sir Harry Smith. Unfortunately, the first location for Harrismith proved to be deficient in water and the town was moved to the present site, in January 1850. During the diamond rush at Kimberly, Harrismith became a busy staging post on the Natal transport route and hotels, stores and public buildings sprang up. In 1892 the railway from Natal to Harrismith opened but due to politics, did not go any further for several years.

A major base during the Anglo Boer War, Harrismith has progressed since then to a delightful, spacious town, with several handsome churches and public buildings. The Plattberg is the location for the annual Berg Marathon, one of the most prestigious cross-country running events in Southern Africa. The race began when a Boer War Major referred to the Platberg mountain as “That little hill of yours”. One of the locals took exception and challenged him to reach the top in under an hour. 

Major Belcher accepted and won easily and donated a floating trophy to the first person to reach the top in a race every year. It now covers several peaks in the area. 

Harrismith is among the best places in the eastern free state to stock up on provision for outdoor adventures, including steaks; the town is the capital of the country's top red-meat producing region.

Harrismith Information

Harrismith is just off the N3 between Johannesburg (314 km) and Durban (315); the N5 from Bethlehem points west and terminates in Harrismith. Coming from Johannesburg, the N3 exit to town (after the Intabazwe township) joins Warden St., which runs into the city square. From Durban the exit (near the Spar Village) joins McKechnie St.; turn right onto Piet Retief St. to get to the city square. Downtown Harrismith is a mini-grid of just a few streets; most stores are in the few blocks around the square. The Tourist Office (622 3525; fax 623 0923) is on Pretorius St., at the back of the city hall. (622 3525; fax 623 0923. Open M-F 8am-5pm, Sa 9:30am-12:30pm.)

The Intabazwe Township Tour demonstrates how the effects of apartheid survived its demise. With a population of 60,000 black South Africans, Intabazwe is smaller than the townships surrounding the larger cities. Tours include revealing snippets of day-to-day life at the township's schools, shebeens (taverns), and spaza shops (improvised general stores). Local children put on traditional dances or drum performances. You can book 3hr. or overnight tours through the tourist office, a day in advance. Overnight tours include a stay with a host family. (Day tours ; overnight tours including dinner, bed, and breakfast.)