Greytown is a picturesque town situated in the Battlefields region of KwaZulu-Natal about 80km north east of Piertmaritzburg and about the same distance due east from Estcourt. The town has a long history going back to the mid 19th century when the area was settled and consequently was involved in the Anglo-Boer War and an uprising by the Zulus against the white population called the Bambatha Rebellion in 1906.
There are a number of historical buildings in the town such as the Town Hall started in 1897, the Methodist Church (1877), the Dutch Reformed Church (1861), the Mosque ( first constructed in 1898 and rebuilt in 1948), St James Anglican Church (1911), Leuchars Memeorial Hall (1910) and St. Theodore’s Catholic Church (1915).
The Boer General Louis Botha was born just outside Greytown. He went on to become the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. Sarie Marais, the legendary Afrikaans women after whom the famous Afrikaans song is named, died here at the agfe of 37 after giving birth to 11 children.
Greytown has much to offer anyone wishing to visit for a day or more, all in close proximity. The surrounding area is blessed with beautiful and varied scenery from rolling hills, green trees and pastures, grasslands and thornveld. The numerous historical sites and monuments, a highly regarded museum, diverse cultures, hotsprings, game parks, a wide variety of birding habitats and nature reserves will make for an interesting stay.
The Information centre is housed at the Museum on Scott Street and it is recommended that you pay them a visit to plan your stay in Greytown.
Tel: +27 (0)33-4131171 ext 128
Getting there: since the new King Shaka Airport was opened there is a shorter scenic route to Greytown taking the back roads instead of going via Durban and the N3 highway – The route will take you through The Valley of a Thousand Hills, fertile sugar farms, into the rolling hills and plantations around Greytown and the through the magnificent scenery of The Tugela Basin, one of South Africa’s largest rivers.
Directions: Turn right to Tongaat as you exit the airport, right at R102, left at R614, right at Dalton, right at R33 to Greytown and then continue on R33 or take R74.
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