Mooi River

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General Information

Mooi River was originally named Lawrenceville after the Irish farmer who formalised its settlement during the 1800s; the village took its enduring moniker from the Voortrekker description of its river mooi translates as 'pretty'. In Zulu, however, the river is Mpofana, 'Place of the Eland'. The countryside varies from mountainous in the west of the district towards Giants Castle, through rolling hills and grassland to the thornveld around Middelrus in the northwest. It is a well-watered landscape, most of it ideally suited to agriculture.

Mooi River forms part of the popular Midlands Meander self-drive arts and crafts route, while all around are opportunities for outdoor recreation. Prior arrangements can be made to visit one of the many prestigious racehorse studs and training establishments in the vicinity, or the Weston Agricultural College Museum which also houses British military artefacts. Back in town, the Rhode House Museum presents a wide variety of local history exhibits depicting formative activities of the area such as polo and dairy farming.

An important village that is found in the close vicinity of Mooi River is Rosetta. Rosetta was an integral part of the colonial farm-pioneering boom of the mid-to- late 1800s. Its future looked more secure in 1895 when Natal authorities built the Meshlyn Bridge and finally secured a place on the map a year later with construction of its still-standing hotel.

Surrounded by modern smallholdings, the Rosetta village centre today features Crispin's Corner, a small shopping centre where - in addition to locally produced handicrafts history buffs may find that significant piece in its antique shop.

Mooi River offers, boating facilities, while just outside of town, Craigieburn Dam, you can find camping sites, picnic spots and enjoy trout fishing.

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