STATION HOUSE WATERSIDE GETAWAY
Self Catering Cottage Accommodation
On Mearns Dam near Rosetta,
KwaZulu-Natal on the Midlands Meander
Station House is conveniently located close to shops, banks and petrol
stations, yet far enough away from development to hear no sound other than that
of nature.
Located amongst many 100 year old oak trees and only 50m from the water's edge
of the beautiful, secluded Mearns Dam, which is accessible only to those staying
on its banks, Station House is unique in its location within the picturesque,
lush dairy farming area of the Natal Midlands.
We are about 450kms from Gauteng, 150kms from Durban; 5kms from Mooi River, 6kms
from Rosetta and 12 kms from Nottingham Road. We are easy to find - just follow
our signs from the R103, 2.5 kilometres off the R103 on a good dirt road. The
access road along the edge of the dam is the old railway line that was used
between Johannesburg and Durban until 1956.
Birdlife is abundant all year round and natural game is regularly sighted on our
property of over 3.5 ha of natural land along the banks of the dam. Frequent
bird sightings include all 3 species of crane, fish eagles, long crested eagles,
jackal buzzards, various herons, kingfishers and water birds such as African
black and yellow billed ducks and spur wing geese. Mountain reedbuck, rhebuck,
oribi, scrub hare, duiker, mongoose, porcupine and otter can be seen, especially
in the early morning or at sunset.
The Siding (our cottage) is located on the railway siding / platform of
the old Johannesburg - Durban line (which operated along the Mooi River from the
late 1890’s until it was decommissioned in 1956) and is a fully equipped,
comfortable self catering cottage for up to 6 people - with 2 additional beds in
the Annex.
It is quiet, peaceful and tranquil, ideal for relaxing and "recharging". We only
allow one booking at a time, so the cottage and all its facilities are yours to
enjoy with no-one around to spoil it.
A canoe and a small rowing boat are available, free of charge. Try your hand at
fishing for black bass. If you want to explore further the dam's 20 kilometres
of water, you can hire an electric motor for the boat. Private boats may be
launched but petrol motors may not be used (Umgeni Water regulations).
There are 2 bedrooms; one with a queen size bed, the other with 2 single beds.
There is a queen size sleeper couch in the lounge. We provide bed linen, duvets
and blankets plus electric blankets for those cold evenings.
The open plan lounge/dining room is a large space but with a cozy atmosphere. It
has a log fireplace for those cooler nights and a colour television, with the
channels SABC 1, 2, 3 and eTV, provided via a Dstv decoder. You may bring your
own SMART card (or decoder depending on the type) to get access to your own DStv
channel bouquet.
The kitchen is well equipped for 8 people and includes a stove, microwave oven
and a fridge/freezer. An outdoor braai is available with a large table, benches
and camping chairs for alfresco eating under the oak trees.
There is a shower room with a basin and a separate toilet. Bath towels are
provided.
The covered wooden deck provides a shady place to relax and enjoy the exquisite
view over the dam and the surrounding landscape. You can enjoy walking along the
dam with its indigenous and wild flowers. You can relax in the sun at the
water's edge, read a book sitting on a bench under an oak, watch the sun rising
over the farmlands or setting over the dam.
A maximum of 8 people can be accommodated if booking both The Siding and The
Annex. By arrangement babies less than 24 months of age are permitted in
addition to this maximum of 8 people.
The Annex is located close to The Siding. It has 2 single beds and its
own shower and toilet (accessible from outside). There are no cooking facilities
(just a kettle) and therefore can only be booked with The Siding, allowing a
maximum of 8 people. It can be booked for 2 people instead of utilizing the
sleeper couch in the cottage if there are 6 people in the party.
The Midlands Meander is right on our doorstep and has something for everybody.
Stretching from Mooi River to Hilton, it is well worth spending time browsing.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from: coffee shops, grill houses and
wine bars, to upmarket restaurants for special occasions. In Rosetta just 6km
along the R103 is the bohemian German influenced Ba Lonka’s at The Wine cellar
as well as the Rosetta Hotel.
In Nottingham Road there is the Italian influenced Sapore (pizzas, pastas,
hamburgers and sushi) and the Austrian styled Bierfassel. Don't miss Notties
Hotel, the oldest in KZN, where you can join the locals for a drink in the pub.
Or try the local beers at the Nottingham Road brewery at Rawdon’s Hotel; maybe
take some home for friends and family. Linga Lapa off the N3 is a very popular
spot with the locals (Friday night grills and Wednesday night braai) so early
booking is needed.
Coffee shops include Barbz in Gowrie Shopping Centre, Blueberry Hill (opposite
Fordoun Hotel and Spa) and Maggie's in the Sherwood Centre.
A pleasant countryside drive away many other restaurants including Lords of the
Manor, Cooking Bear, Caversham Mill, La Lampara, and Tumble Downs.
Depending on your preferences, you do a "Decor Route" - visiting the many décor
shops in the area such as Mooi Loft and Linen Loft at Piggly Wiggly or a "Cheese
and Wine Route" - including The Wine Cellar, The Mousetrap (Indezi cheese) and
Marrakech (Israeli cheese), all near Rosetta and Swissland Cheese in Lidgetton.
And for the children, there is archery, chocolate (Belgium) dipping as well as
candle dipping and sand art at The Junction in Nottingham Road.
The area is well known for its excellent leatherwork including Groundcover
Leatherwork, Jim Green Footwear and Tsonga. You can stock up early on those
special and unusual gifts for birthdays and Christmas and you can buy excellent
meats and delicious biltong at local butcheries.
You could book a special treat for a day (or a few hours) at a nearby spa such
as Brookdale, Indigo Fields, Fordoun or Granny Mouse.
Sporting facilities available in the area include golf, tennis, bowls, micro
light rides, 4x4 trails, quad biking, trout fishing, river rafting and tubing.
Why not try the canopy walk and slide in the Karkloof?
The annual Highland and Traditional Games draws a large crowd from far and wide
as does the annual Midmar Mile open water swim in February which is one of our
highlights.
Nearby attractions include the new Springrove Dam being built in Rosetta, the
spectacular uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, one of South Africa's World Heritage
Sites, which is within easy driving range - explore Giants Castle, Highmoor,
Kamberg, Loteni and Sani Pass.
Facilities On Site
- Self Contained Accommodation (for up to 8 people)
- 2 bedrooms in the cottage, queen sleeper couch in the lounge, separate
outside room
- Log Fire (wood available)
- Electric Blankets
- Outdoor Braai
- Television - SABC 1, 2 and 3, eTV (please bring your SMART card for your
DSTv bouquet)
- Mearns Dam
- Launch Facilities for Private Boats
- Free Use of Boat and Canoe (Electric Motor for Hire)
- Fishing (Black Bass)
- Walking
- Birdlife and Natural Game
- Provisions / Catering (by arrangement)
Facilities in the Surrounding Area
- Midlands Meander
- Shops for just about everything you need or anything you have forgotten
- Banks (FNB and Standard Bank (plus an ABSA agency) and ATM’s in Mooi
River; ABSA ATM in the Mooi-1-Stop Engen; FNB and Standard Bank agencies and
ATM’s in Nottingham Road;
- FNB ATM also in Spar Nottingham Road
- A Spar supermarket and chemists in Mooi River and Nottingham Road
- Bottle stores in Mooi River, Rosetta and Nottingham Road
- Excellent meats, especially beef and biltong: at Linga Lapa off the N3,
Mooi-1-Stop Butchery and Lowland Meats in Mooi River, Greenfields Butchery
in Sherwood Centre in Nottingham Road
- Barthos fish shop in Sherwood Centre in Nottingham Road
- Fishing outlets include Wild Fly at the Meander Mall next to Sapore in
Nottingham Road
- Petrol stations in Mooi River and Nottingham Road
- Restaurants, coffee shops, grill houses, those specializing in many
styles of cuisine such as German, Austrian and Italian
Activities in the Surrounding Area:
- Health Spas
- Nottingham Road Brewery at Rawdons Hotel
- Golf, Tennis, Bowls
- Canopy Walk/Slide in the Karkloof
- River Rafting and Tubing
- Hiking
- Horse Riding
- Trout Fishing
- Micro Light Rides, 4x4 Trails, Quad Biking
- Chocolate Dipping
- Candle dipping and sand art
- Archery
Areas of Interest / Attractions:
- Mandela Monument and Museum (near Howick at the Midmar Dam)
- Rock Art in the Kamberg
- uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (one of SA's World Heritage Sites)
- Battlefields (Colenso / Ladysmith)
- Midmar Dam
- Albert Falls Dam
- Wagendrift Dam
- Craigieburn Dam
- Springrove Dam (being built in Rosetta)
Contact Us
OR
See next to main photo for alternative contact details.
Sorry, Credit Cards Not Accepted
© WHERETOSTAY.CO.ZA 1998-2012
