Places to see and go

THE MIDLANDS MEANDER

The Midlands Meander route is situated between Currys Post in the East, to Dargle Valley and Nottingham Road in the West. The route is approximately 80 kilometres long, with about 160 destinations on its map - a far cry from the 6 that it started with. It was in 1985 that a group of artists got together and started an arts and crafts route whereby they could market as a collective, while still getting exposure for their individual studios. The concept has become more successful than initially anticipated, with more than 150 artists registered with the organisation to date. Some routes have been planned out so that the intrepid explorer does not get lost or miss an essential stop.

The printed book (From the Midlands Meander Association) that can be purchased has a list of all the stops on the meander, along with a user-friendly route map. Along the route itself, there are also signboards with the local attractions with a map so that it is easy to orientate oneself. While the meandering Nottingham Road is a prominent feature of the tour, other areas include Dargle, Lidgetton, Howick, Rosetta, Hilton and Mooi River, to name a few. No matter how often one visits, you will never do the same route twice.

The Midlands Meander Guide is available for free at the Information Centre at the Falls.

GENERAL FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

Embracing the slow-paced rhythm of the Midlands Meander is Piggly Wiggly, a popular stop in the meander stable. Situated on the Highgate Wine Estate, Piggly Wiggly is a stop where one can easily stop for a few hours simply exploring new shops and discovering new restaurants. Whether one is looking to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch, or let the kids burn off a bit of energy, Piggly Wiggly has certainly managed to get the right combination of shops for both relaxation and retail therapy. The adventurous souls can do some ziplining, while little ones may want to ride the train, indulge in some candle-dipping, or explore the Dingo Farm and Reptile Park.

ACCOMMODATION

Over time, the midlands area has grown to have venues to suit all types of accommodation requirements. For the couple looking to have a romantic weekend getaway to the bride who needs accommodation for 200 guests, the Midlands Meander has all possibilities covered. While the Meander began as a leisure activity - a place for people to pass through, develop an appreciation for the talents in the area and a place for parents to spend time with their children, corporate South Africa has also started to frequent the area. It is not unusual to see hotels full during the week while they host a three-day conference for a company and its delegates. The choice is obvious. The Midlands has plenty of conference facilities, as well as wide-open spaces for team-building exercises. The scenery is the perfect way to unwind after a busy brainstorming session. You only have to decide the purpose of your trip and which activities you would Uke to do to determine where you would like to stay. Accommodation in and around Howick has everything from self-catering to 5-star establishments.

HILTON STATION RAILWAY MUSEUM

Take a step into the past at the Hilton Station Railway Museum (083 278 1490) where one can examine seven locomotives from yesteryear. It is to be found in Hilton next to what used to be the main railway line between Durban and Johannesburg. The line is over 125 years old but has not been used for over a decade.

THE NELSON MANDELA CAPTURE SITE AND MUSEUM

On the R103 road to Tweedie, about 3 kilometres outside of Howick, Nelson Mandela was arrested. Previously only acknowledged with a little plaque, the Nelson Mandela Capture Site is now an impressive memorial. At the time of his arrest on 5 August 1962, Nelson Mandela was one of the most wanted men in South Africa. He was the leader of the armed resistance movement of the ANC (African National Party, a political organisation), which was banned at the time. In the thick of the apartheid era, the ANC ' - and Mandela, were a threat to the country's leadership. On the night of his arrest, Mandela was posing as a chauffeur. He was on his way to visit his friend and ANC leader Chief Albert Luthuli. One strategically-placed roadblock changed his plans. What followed that night has been well-documented. After the Rivonia Trials, Mandela was sentenced to 27 years in prison, of which 18 of those years were spent on Robben Island. His capture site has become something of a landmark in KZN, and also marks the ending point of the annual Nelson Mandela marathon. 50 years after his arrest, a sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli was installed. Using 50 columns to represent the 50 years since Mandela's capture, the sculpture at first glance is hard to discern. As one walks closer, the sculpture reveals itself and Mandela's iconic profile becomes apparent. It is well worth the visit. One can also have a relaxed picnic on the grounds and spend time in the apartheid museum.

HOWICK FALLS

The famous 95 metre-high Howick Falls is a must-see when one visits the town of Howick. The sheer volume of water cascading over the top and crashing into a restless pool below is a sight to behold. There are trails around the falls so that one can see the falls from a variety of vantage points. The Zulu name for Howick Falls is KwaNogqaza, 'the place of the tall one'. Within the Zulu community, the falls are regarded as a place where the spirits of the ancestors are. This, coupled with the fact that they believe a giant, snake-like creature resides in the plunge pool, has resulted in a generally accepted belief that only sangomas (Zulu traditional healers) are safe at the falls.

MOOI RIVER FALLS

The 80 metre Mooi River Falls is situated 25 kilometres downstream from the town of Mooi River. Karkloof Falls is another noteworthy waterfall, which is located 22 kilometres north of Howick on the road to Rietvlei. The 105 metre falls plunge over the cliff at Shafton Grange. Also worth a visit is Albert Falls, a popular place 18 kilometres north of Pietermaritzburg. Other falls include Emaweni Obatha Falls in Msinsi Resource Reserve and Nzinga Falls on the Impendle Road.

KARKLOOF FALLS

The Karkloof Falls are situated 22 km north of Howick, on the road to Rietvlei (latitude 29°24'00.7IIS, longitude 30°16'43"E; viewpoint: 29°24'19.93"S, 30°16'37.77"E). After the turnoff to Karkloof Falls there is a 5 km stretch of scenic winding gravel road running through dense forests. There are picnic spots at the viewpoint and above the falls.

The Karkloof River flows over beds of hard Vryheid Formation sandstone and falls 105 m. The Vryheid Formation sediments were indurated by the widespread overlying dolerite sill, seen underlying the high ground in the distance and now deeply weathered.