This is one of the busiest
routes over Easter, Christmas and school holidays as it leads
not only to the north and south coast resorts around Durban, but also to the mighty Drakensberg – a World Heritage Site – both being favoured by the
very busy ‘Gautengers' as easily-accessible holiday spots.
Leaving the industrial areas of Johannesburg, Alberton is just 15km south-east of Johannesburg. Apart from being home to Newmarket Race Course, its
township of Thokoza honours the victims of political conflict
during the Apartheid era. Head off to Heidelberg with its charming Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and Motor
Museum before crossing the Vaal River and reaching Villiers – a good refreshment point, and the entry to the Free
State province with its maize fields. A prominent sandstone
church steeple announces your arrival at Warden, after which the mountains of Lesotho become apparent
in the distant east behind the maize fields.
Some 110km south along the N3 you find the
juncture of the N5 from Bloemfontein ( See Route 1 )
at Harrismith, midway to Durban . Situated at the distinctive Platberg
(flat) Mountain, its township of Intabazwe offers you a fascinating
insight into Sotho and Zulu culture with their generous spirit
of 'ubuntu'. Flower fundis will enjoy the Platberg Wild Flower
Gardens. Harrismith is also a gateway to the Drakensberg via the Oliviershoek Pass into KwaZulu-Natal or the R712 to Qwa-Qwa and Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
Ox-wagons, Voortrekkers and armies
have passed through Swinburne, just before the village of Van
Reenen and the pass which descends into KwaZulu-Natal
over the northern reaches of the Drakensberg. The 8-seater Llandorf Oratory Chapel is popular for
weddings – the smallest in the world?
A worthwhile detour for those interested in the Anglo-Boer
War is the 15km trip along the N11 to Ladysmith. From here the battlefields of Spioenkop, Vaalkrans,
Colenso, Tugela Heights , Elandslaagte and Wagon Hill/Platrand
can be easily accessed. Day trips include Rorke's Drift, Isandlwana
and the Blood River Monument . The Museum offers a good overview
if time is tight.
To the west are the majestic Drakensberg and the towns of Bergville and Winterton, access points for resorts in the northern and central
reaches of the 'Berg, including the Royal Natal National Park
. Watch the signage on the N3 for the best
access to your chosen resort. Further south and just off the N3 is Estcourt, gateway to an abundance of wildlife and game reserves.
A worthwhile detour is the arts and crafts route, The Midlands
Meander, stretching from Mooi
River to Hilton along both sides of the N3 . Although
the area covered is relatively small, it is dotted with really
unusual, quality craft outlets on farms and in small hamlets
and is worthy of at least 2 days' exploration. Overnight at Howick, Hilton, Rosetta or Nottingham
Road before continuing to the capital of KZN, Pietermaritzburg, between the subtropical coastline and the majestic
Drakensberg Mountains.
‘ Maritzburg hosts a number of world-renowned events – the Dusi Canoe Marathon (January), the awesome Midmar Mile,
the longest inland swimming marathon in the world and the
Comrades Marathon (June) - legendary for the stamina required
to run the 88km up or down to Durban. This elegant city buzzes with myriad cultures and the
city reflects their impact.
As you head towards the ocean you travel through the Valley
of 1,000 Hills, forged through the centuries by the Umgeni
River, and reach Pinetown and Kloof – each a good base from which to explore this area.
Your journey of some 600km culminates at Durban ( See Route 7 ), where kilometres of beach lie to the
north and south along the N2. ( See Route
7 & Route 10 )
Suggested stop or stretch towns on the N3: Heidelberg , Harrismith, Drakensberg, Estcourt, Ladysmith, Mooi River, Howick, Hilton, Nottingham Road , Pietermaritzburg, Pinetwon, Kloof, Hillcrest and Durban.
More Routes:
JOHANNESBURG - BLOEMFONTEIN - COLESBERG ON N1
COLESBERG - BEAUFORT WEST - CAPE TOWN ON N1
BLOEMFONTEIN - EAST LONDON ON N6
BLOEMFONTEIN – LESOTHO ON N8
JOHANNESBURG - KIMBERLEY - BEAUFORT WEST ON N12
CAPE TOWN - PORT ELIZABETH ON N2 : THE GARDEN ROUTE
PORT ELIZABETH – CRADOCK – COLESBERG ON N10 : THE KAROO
PORT ELIZABETH - EAST LONDON - WILD COAST - DURBAN ON N2
CAPE TOWN – SPRINGBOK ON N7: THE WEST COAST
JOHANNESBURG – DRAKENSBERG - DURBAN ON N3
JOHANNESBURG – SWAZILAND – NORTH COAST ON N17/N2
JOHANNESBURG – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – MOZAMBIQUE ON N4
JOHANNESBURG – MESSINA - ZIMBABWE ON N1
JOHANNESBURG/PRETORIA – MAGALIESBURG - BOTSWANA ON N4
JOHANNESBURG – UPINGTON – SPRINGBOK ON N14 |
