- KwaZulu-Natal
- Mooi River
Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal
Gateway to the Midlands
Mooi River, meaning “pretty river” in Afrikaans, lies some 60 km north of Pietermaritzburg and just 5 minutes from the N3 which leads you into central Drakensberg.
The countryside surrounding the town varies from mountains to rolling hills and grassland and the area is a well-watered landscape. Mooi River is conveniently situated to use as a base to explore this beautiful area being only a half hour from the Drakensberg mountains and approximately an hour and a half from the coast. It is also close to the battlefields area and Mooi River also forms part of the popular Midlands Meander self-drive arts and crafts route!
Mooi River is also known as one of the fly-fishing capitals of the country, the upper reaches of the river are ideal for fly-fishing and some parts of the river also offer excellent boating facilities and even further upstream, the Mooi River Falls are an exceptional site hen the river is in flood.
Outside of the town is the Craigie Burn Reserve and Dam which offers picnic spots and hiking trails as well as some excellent trout fishing.
Mooi River boasts numerous craft shops, cottage industries, restaurants and excellent accommodation which includes B&B’s, Guesthouses and self-catering cottages.
Things to do and see
- Rhode House Museum
- Albert Falls Amble “The Amble”
- Midlands Meander
- Zuluwaters Hking Trails
- Giants Castle Hike
- Roman Baths Hike
- Mooi River Falls
- Hidden Valley 4X4 Trail
- Graceland Gallery
- Craigie Burn Nature Reserve & Dam
- Drakensberg Foothills Birding Route
- Mooi River Golf Club
- Swissland Cheese, Balgown
Climate
Mooi River receives approximately 837 mm of rain annually with most of its annual rainfall during summer.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 13˚C and 27˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 0˚C and 20˚C.
Transport
There are daily local flights into Pietermaritzburg Airport, approximately 74 Km’s away via the N3, and into King Shaka Airport in Durban, approximately 167 Km’s away also via the N3. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.
History
Mooi River was originally called Lawrenceville. The Zulu’s called the river Mpofana or “place of the Eland” and the Dutch called it Mooi meaning “pretty”.
In 1884 the railway reached Alexander Lawrence’s farm Grantleigh and the town was established, hence its original name, and grew around a railway station. Mooi River became a Town Board in 1921 and received Borough status in 1959.
Today Mooi River is rightly regarded as the gateway to the Midlands, Kamberg and Giants Castle.
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