Harburg, Natal Midlands
Take the Midlands Amble (not to be confused with the Midland Meander) and you'll find yourself on the lesser-explored perimeters to the south-west and north-east of Pietermaritzburg, with the Albert Falls Dam as the fulcrum.
The Amble incorporates the towns and villages of Pietermaritzburg, Hilton, Ashburton, Umlaas Road, Tala Valley, Richmond, Albert Falls, Bishopstowe, Wartburg, Harburg, New Hanover, Noodsburg, Greytown, Muden, Weenen and Hermannsburg.
Harburg lies off R614 just beyond Wartburg, one of several German communities that mushroomed after 1840. German settlers arrived to grow cotton for the Natal Cotton Company, but their attempts failed and many of the Bergtheil colonists who had settled in New Germany, Westville moved inland to the area around Pietermaritzburg and New Hanover.
In 2011 Harburg's beautiful Neuenkirche celebrated 125 years. The church is a hangover of the mission station established here by missionaries who originally set sail for Ethiopia, but could not land and continued on to Durban. After getting permission from Zulu chiefs they set up a few mission stations – Hermannsburg first and then New Hanover.
Harburg only came later when several of the families broke away from these original mission stations, because of the distance they had to travel every Sunday, to build their own chapel, which they called Neuenkirchen (new church). Their town was originally known as Honey Grove. Only in 1893, once a trading store and a few houses had joined the church, was it named Harburg.
Today descendants of these same German settlers still live in Harburg – a pretty rural village that is still only a few homes and a converted post office (now a self-catering cottage). The original police station and community hall no longer stand. The school has been converted into a retreat. But the Neuenkirche still stands and continues to celebrate regular Sunday services in German and English.
There is a caravan park just outside the village.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Little Milton
Little Milton is a guest house in Rosetta offering comfortable B&B and self catering accommodation. The property and its cottages offer peace and...
Lady Leuchars Guest House
Lady Leuchars offers accommodation in the charming town of Greytown. The house was once the residence of Sir George and Lady Marion Leuchars, is ...
Far Away Place Dashy House
Far Away Place Dashy House accommodation offers beautiful views of our dam and an ideal spot for trout fishing. The property offers a large pine ...
Thorn Tree Lodge
Thorn Tree Lodge is located in Hayfields, Pietermaritzburg. The lodge offers accommodation in twenty one rooms and is set in an indigenous garden...
Far Away Place Tree House
Far Away Place Tree House is an open plan holiday chalet in Currys Post sleeping two guests. The bedroom is furnished with an extra length Queen-...
Zulu Waters Game Reserve
A very private eco-retreat in a panoramic setting of hills, valleys, rolling grasslands and crystal clear streams, ZuluWaters Private Reserve off...
Biggy Best Cottages
Located in Howick, Biggy Best Cottages are situated in the heart of the Midlands only three minutes' drive from Howick Falls and five minutes' dr...
Gallery Cottage
Gallery Cottage on Inverness Farm is centrally situated, right in the heart of the popular Midlands Meander route, within easy reach of the fines...
Inkanyezi Lodge
The lodge offers access to a large wooden deck with an umbrella and an outdoor lounge set. A small fishing boat is also available for rental. Ink...
Things to do in the area
Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio
Africa's Iconic Luxury Brand ~ Drawing Inspiration from African Art and Nature to Create Unique Ceramics, Luxury Décor, and Fashion.The vibrant c...
Noteworthy attractions
Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve
The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undula...
Midmar Dam Nature Reserve
The large stretch of fresh water from the uMngeni, coupled with 1000 hectares of game park that contains red hartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, black...
Bosch Hoek Golf Club
Bosch Hoek Golf Course in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands must qualify as one of the most picturesque layouts in the country. The estate is convenient...
Gowrie Farm Golf Course
Gowrie Farm Golf Course, one of KwaZulu Natal’s finest golf courses, was built in the traditional way with push up greens and rugged bunkers. The...
Maritzburg Golf Club
The Maritzburg Golf Club in Pietermaritzburg is one of the oldest golf clubs in South Africa, dating back to 1886. It has lush, smooth cynodon gr...
Sakabula Golf Club
Sakabula Golf Club is a unique combination of agricultural smallholdings around a delightful 18-hole, par 73, golf course in a scenic rural envir...
Victoria Country Club
Less than five minutes from the CBD of Pietermaritzburg, the Victoria Country Club is superbly located in the scenic parklands adjoining the Quee...
Battlefields Route
The KwaZulu Natal hinterland has witnessed some of the most brutal and significant battles to be fought in South Africa. These historical sites f...
Midlands Meander
The enchantment of the Midlands has long inspired many a visitor and resident to creativity and as a result, local artists, potters and weavers c...
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