Newcastle is the third largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal Province and is located inland, about 340 km north-west from Durban en-route to Gauteng. It is a major industrial centre, yet the landscape surrounding the city is beautiful, with views over the Cathedral Peak area and Lost Valley. Coal was discovered in Newcastle in the early 19th century and in 1920, the province’s first steel plant was built in the city.
Newcastle has always formed a natural junction for travellers, situated a few kilometres south of the borders of the Free State and Mpumalanga. It was from this corner of Natal that general Colley led the British forces to their final defeat at the Battle of Majuba in 1881.
Newcastle has a thriving commercial centre, an art gallery and township tours, as well as a wide range of accommodation. Leaving the town behind, an easy ten minute drive in any direction takes visitors into scenic mountain countryside. With plenty of fine weather, fresh air, rolling hills and fresh streams and dams, Newcastle is not short of things to do. The hills around Newcastle abound with opportunities for the adventurous traveller, and there are a number of hiking, horse and 4 x 4 trails in the area.
Newcastle is an expanding town, in terms of the wealth of attractions that it has to offer visitors. There are other ongoing developments, focusing on increasing employment in the areas as well as the range of attractions that Newcastle and its surrounds has. Newcastle has historical places of interest to offer visitors, adventures in all forms, a wealth of nature experiences, cultural experiences and the opportunity to interact with the local people.
There are a number of Battlefields that shaped South Africa’s destiny, and Majuba is one of these. The Battle of Majuba in 1881 marked the...
Newcastle was once named Vijoensdorp, but the name was changed after British occupation. Over the years, a number of famous people have had ...
Newcastle arts and crafts can be seen all over the town and its various buildings. Carnegie Art Gallery was erected on the site of the publi...
Newcastle is a good base to explore the historic battlefields of the Anglo-Boer Wars and a few sites in town bear testimony to these importa...
The 6 400 ha Chelmsford Nature Reserve lies 26 km outside Newcastle and is the perfect break from the Battlefields Route. There are 217 spec...
The townships of Madadeni and Osizweni form part of the Newcastle Municipality. Madadeni and Osizweni offer visitors an opportunity to exper...