Waterford Manor’s Location in Rosetta, Between Mooi River and Nottingham Road
Waterford Manor is on the R103 in Rosetta (no dirt road access required), a small village in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, in the Mpofana Local Municipality. Rosetta sits between Mooi River accommodation seekers coming from the north, about 10 km away, and Nottingham Road accommodation seekers coming from the south, about 8 km away, right on the Midlands Meander craft and eatery route. If you’re weighing up accommodation options in the KZN Midlands, Rosetta’s position on the Midlands Meander puts a wide stretch of the route within easy driving distance.
Rosetta Village
Rosetta is a small village of just over 500 people, known for its country hospitality rather than its size. It sits in what locals call the Snow Belt, and it’s a popular spot for snow-watchers when winter cold fronts move through the Midlands. Reaching Rosetta doesn’t require any dirt road driving. The R103 is tarred the whole way, which isn’t the case for every property along the Midlands Meander.
Cheese, Wine, and Crafts Nearby
The Wine Cellar sits right on our doorstep, with a genuinely substantial wine collection for a village this size. A short drive away is the Marrakesh Cheese Farm, where a cheesemaker talks you through a tasting of their range and you can book a cheese-making experience for yourself. The Ugly Duckling craft and curio shop is also close by, and further along the Midlands Meander is The Junction, a small hub of crafts, curio shops, and eateries.
Fishing and the Outdoors
The Mooi River runs through the area and fly fishing is a popular local pastime, drawing visitors from across the Midlands. The Kamberg Road out of Rosetta leads to the Kamberg Nature Reserve and Rock Art Centre, home to San rock art at the Game Pass Shelter, and further on to the Highmoor Nature Reserve and Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve, both in the Drakensberg foothills. Trout fishing is available in the Highmoor dams year-round, which makes the area a genuine draw for anglers rather than just a passing-through stop.
Where to Eat
The Junction combines crafts, curio shops, and small eateries, including a South African cuisine restaurant. Bierfassl, an Austrian and German pub and restaurant near Nottingham Road, has been serving the Midlands since 1999 and is well known for its Eisbein, served in three different sizes, alongside a strong trout dish and a wide selection of local and international beers. One of our regular recommendations: my husband always orders the Eisbein there, and I go for the trout with a side salad. Rawdons and Brahman Hills both have their own restaurants nearby as well, so there’s a genuine range of dining options within a short drive of Waterford Manor, from pub food to something more formal.
Mooi River
About 10 km from Waterford Manor, Mooi River sits on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban. Mooi is Afrikaans for beautiful, and the town takes its name from the Voortrekkers who settled here and described the river as such. Mooi River is also seeing new investment in the years ahead, including a dry port reported to be worth around R10 billion, which is bringing more long-stay visitors to the wider area, including guests staying with us.
Nottingham Road
About 8 km from Waterford Manor, Nottingham Road is widely known as the wedding venue hub of the KZN Midlands, and it’s also home to trout dams and the Nottingham Road Hotel, which has been serving guests since 1854.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waterford Manor in Rosetta or Mooi River?
Waterford Manor is in Rosetta, on the main road, the R103, roughly halfway between Mooi River and Nottingham Road.
What is there to do near Waterford Manor?
Fly fishing on the Mooi River, a cheese tasting at Marrakesh Cheese Farm, browsing the Ugly Duckling craft shop and The Junction, a visit to our neighbour the Wine Cellar, and day trips to the Kamberg and Highmoor Nature Reserves in the Drakensberg foothills.
Where can I eat near Waterford Manor?
The Junction for crafts and small eateries, Bierfassl for Austrian and German food near Nottingham Road, and restaurants at Rawdons and Brahman Hills.
How far is Waterford Manor from the N3?
Waterford Manor is about 10 km from Mooi River, which sits directly on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban.
Do I need to drive on dirt roads to visit this part of the Midlands Meander?
Not to reach Waterford Manor. We’re on the R103, a tarred main road, the whole way in.