Adelaide, Amatola

Lying just south of the Winterberg Mountains, seeped in settler history, Adelaide is a charming little town some 37 kilometres from Fort Beaufort - one of the largest towns in the area that also happens to boast one of the finest Victorian barracks outside of the UK.

The tree-lined streets of Adelaide are lined with beautiful historic homes, churches and monuments whilst the large ‘square’ with its trees, gardens and public offices - more of an island than a square - sets the tone for the little historic town, definitely worth further exploration. Adelaide’s main attraction is its setting. It lies right in the heart of eco-tourist heaven. There are no fewer than six distinct biomes in the surrounding countryside; there is a spectacularly rich bird life, fine examples of rock art, a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and access to a number of game reserves and game farms.

Whilst its history is a series of occupations that began with the Boers - who together with black Bantu speaking people rapidly displaced the San - and ended with Scottish settlers sent to establish a presence in the Mankanzana River valley; today Adelaide is predominantly a beef, mutton, wool and citrus farming district.

The Winterberg Mountains and foothills provide numerous scenic drives, mountain biking - the Winterberg Mountain Bike Race takes place every October - and hiking opportunities. Rock climbers can head off to Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve where three sectors - the fever ward, the labour ward and more mojo - lie along the rim of a huge forested amphitheatre.