Newcastle - KwaZulu Natal South Africa

Newcastle is a warm, well-watered and sunshine filled town in KwaZulu Natal South Africa. Newcastle was the fourth town founded in Natal and was named after the Duke of Newcastle (British-Colonial Secretary of the Cape at the time). It was surveyed in 1864 and featured prominently in Transvaal’s first war of Independence. It is where the penultimate battle was fought at Skuinshoogte (sloping mountain), in 1881.

Newcastle - Kwazulu Natal South Africa Newcastle was also a strategic town in the Anglo-Boer war, featuring prominently in both the Boer and English defense. Coal was discovered in the district in the late 1800's, but the Newcastle ’s original industry was washing and spinning wool from sheep, which are farmed in the area. Steel furnaces dominate the town today as well as coal related industries. The local Indian population have erected what is reputed to be the largest domed Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hiking Trails in the Newcastle area

Make an enquiry with Amakhulu Central reservations about Hiking trails in South Africa Merle offers a very professional service and at no extra cost to you. She knows quite a bit about hiking trails through out South Africa including the Newcastle area

Newcastle boasts scenic, well developed hiking trails with a variety of bird life, small game, waterfalls, indigenous forests, streams and rivers. Short day hikes and two day hikes are offered. Secure overnight accommodation is generally in mountain huts, rustic barns, thatched cottages or in sheltered caves.

Eikenhof Trail Tel:
24 kms west of Newcastle. 2 days (Moderate). Spectacular scenery, game, bird life, mountain river and streams. Well equipped chalets along Ncandu River accommodate 30 people.
Fort Mistake Trail:
50 kms south of Newcastle. Half day hike. There is an excellent view of the Biggarsberg from the old British signalling fort and the nearby dam offers canoeing and fishing.
Geelhout Trail:
Newcastle area (12 kms). This well-marked trail along the Normandien Pass boasts waterfalls, mountain streams and an indigenous yellowwood forest. There is also a variety of small game and birds.
Holkrans Trail:
Majuba Mountain Battlefield Trail:
Half day hike.
Ncandu Trail:
Situated in the Little Berg, Ncandu Mountain Rangr, 32 kms south west of Newcastle. (30kms - 1-2 days0. This trail begins at Moorfield farmstead, crosses the Incandu River and traverses mountain grasslands and large indigenous yellowwood forests. Overnight hut sleeps six. KZN Wildlife PO Box 3, Balleingeigh 2942. Tel/Fax:034-377 7205.
Bushmanzkrans Hiking Trail:
30 kms west of Newcastle. Suitable for beginners and experienced hikers. San paintings, a dam for swimming and fishing and horse riding are available. Accommodation is dormitory style in an old farmhouse. P.O. Box 1849, Newcastle 2940. Tel: (034)341 1910.

Activities in Newcastle

Holkrans Mountain Bike Trail Tel: (034)3511600
Engogo Riverside Lodge for Fishing (034)3153318
Kingfisher Trout Guest Farm (034)3511844

Accommodation in Newcastle

Amakhulu Central Reservations
Merl offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the Drakensberg and Wild Coast regions.
Accommodation in Newcastle
This website is the best I have yet come across for accommodation in South Africa. You communicate directly with the accommodation establishment and the entire booking is carried out online.
Status Hotel
55 Scott Street, Newcastle
Hoiliday Inn Garden Court
Corner Victoria & Hunter Streets, Newcastle