Fancy trading the sea for log fires and rolling hills? A weekend getaway from Ballito to Waterford Manor is about 180 km and roughly two hours’ drive. We’re in Rosetta on the R103 in the KZN Midlands, with B&B rooms, self-catering cottages and the Midlands Meander on our doorstep.
A note from Dan: Come up from the coast and slow down. We sit between Mooi River and Nottingham Road, so the Meander is on both sides of you and you never have to drive far for anything.
How far is the Midlands from Ballito?
The road from Nottingham Road to Ballito is 173 km and takes about 1 hour 53 minutes, according to Rome2Rio. We’re another 8 km along the R103, so call it two hours. You go south on the N2, then inland on the N3 past Pietermaritzburg and Howick.
Leave after work on Friday and you’ll be in time for a braai.
What can you fit into two nights?
More than you’d think. Opening days change, so call ahead before you plan a day around any one stop.
When | What to do | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
Friday evening | Arrive, settle in and braai on your patio | No restaurant booking after a two-hour drive |
Saturday morning | Browse The Junction, a small hub of crafts, curio shops and eateries, and the Ugly Duckling craft shop in Rosetta | Slow shopping, close to us |
Saturday midday | Taste cheese at Marrakesh Cheese Farm, a working cheese farm that also runs cheese-making experiences | A proper lunch stop on the Meander |
Saturday evening | Dinner at Bierfassl, an Austrian and German pub and restaurant near Nottingham Road | Hearty food on a any night |
Sunday | Fly fishing on the Mooi River, or the Kamberg Road out of Rosetta to the Kamberg Nature Reserve and its San rock art at the Game Pass Shelter | Fresh air before the drive home |
Which room makes the weekend?
- A couple who want a romantic weekend: Protea Honeymoon Suite is 28 m² with a king-size bed and a view over the river, the mountains and the pool. You’ll spend your days out on the Meander, then come back to somewhere calm.
- A couple who like to cook: Lavender Cottage is 36 m² with a full kitchen and a fireplace, so a slow supper by the fire is on the cards.
- A family: Sunflower Cottage is 76 m² with a full kitchen, a dining area, a fireplace, a braai area and a foldable cot on request. The kids get room to spread out and you get a braai on Saturday night.
- Friends or a bigger family: Rose Cottage is our largest at 102 m², with a lounge, a dining area and a wood-fired stove, so everyone ends up in the same room by the end of the evening.
- Just a simple bed for the night: Hibiscus Cottage, 22 m², for one or two.
Why do people from the coast love the Midlands?
The weather, for a start. It’s noticeably cooler than Ballito. Interestingly, around 70% of our guests tend to be from the North Coast during the more humid months. It’s a short drive to escape the humidity and relax with the family.
In winter the evenings call for a fire. A lot of guests want to experience snowfall which definitely makes its appearance around Nottingham Road and Mooi River during cold fronts. Snow report is best for tracking this as it’s not regular. When it does come, most accommodation providers get booked out.
Then there’s the Midlands Meander, an arts and crafts route that grew up around the potters, weavers and artists who settled here from the 1980s. You browse, taste and eat slowly. It’s nothing like the busy beachfront, and that’s the point.
When should you come?
Winter, from May to August, is the obvious draw: frost on the grass in the morning, a fire at night. Summer is green hills, afternoon storms and a river to sit beside. Pack a jersey whatever the month. The property has a swimming pool and two nature trails, and the river running past it is sure to provide leisurely relaxation with bass fishing or just wetting your feet.
Ready to book?
30% OFF for direct bookings via our website. Check your dates and book on our website, or phone us on +27 73 630 7423. Tell us who’s coming and we’ll suggest the room.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Waterford Manor from Ballito?
About 180 km by road, roughly two hours if the N2 and N3 are kind to you.
Is the road to Waterford Manor tarred?
Yes. The R103 is a tarred main road the whole way in.
Is one night enough?
Two is better. The drive is about two hours each way, so one night feels like all driving.
Which cottages have fireplaces?
Lavender and Sunflower have fireplaces and Rose has a wood-fired stove. Every unit has electric heating and electric blankets.
What is there to do nearby?
Cheese tasting, craft shopping at The Junction and the Ugly Duckling, fly fishing on the Mooi River and day trips to the Kamberg Nature Reserve.