This was upgraded with a pontoon in 1872. The town developed simultaneously as a health resort and transport centre with the railway from  East London reaching the town in 1885. This prompted rapid development as a commercial centre for the north-eastern region of the British colony. Later the town suffered a severe setback when the railway extended to the Free State, by-passed Aliwal North. 

Aliwal North is still the centre of a prosperous farming community whose main products are wool, maize, wheat, beef and dairy. The town’s principle assets are two popular hot mineral springs, which have extremely high concentrates of minerals and gases. The concentrate of gas is so high that the first restaurant built here was able to maintain its cooking fire from gas funnelled from the springs. 

Accommodation in Aliwal North

• Amakhulu Central Reservations
  Merle offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the the Free State and Eastern Cape including Aliwal North.
  
• Accommodation in Aliwal North
  This is the best website I have seen to book accommodation in South Africa. You deal directly with the accommodation establishment owner and the whole transaction takes place over the internet easily.