Central, mpumalnga free state and kzn within reach, harrismith much friendlier than free state.

We also drove pass Harrismith and decided to enter the town. we found it charming and delightfull. We moved to Harrismith on impulse. To everyone complaining about our town - do yourself a favor and plan your time better we cannot sit and wait for one customer - whom is going to be unhappy with everything we offer. We love our new home, the charm and the freedom that we have to come and go as we pleases.

I stayed for a night in Harrismith. It was Sunday. The Motel was not serving food! Went into town. Nothing other than the worst sort of quasi-American fast food rubbish. Service equally rubbish. So what's to review? Harrismith is best viewed from a fast motor; just don't look again until you are several miles away. I would prefer to press star-rating zero, but as that won't be accepted I will give it (reluctantly) one star.

A chip and a putt outside Johannesburg and you feel as if you've been out the city for a week already. I planned a last minute weekend to the area and wished I had booked for a fornight. A delightful little place carved out of the hills - where the air is fresh and crisp and everything seems clean out there. We hiked in the berg, boated on the dam and ate gorgeous trout, shopped at local shops for goodies and have unrivalled hospitality. When looking for a break, don't overlook Harrismith as a destination - it is a lot more than the toasted sarmie and coffee break at the Wimpy en route to Durban. That said....don't tell too many people about - its a good secret to have!

Harrismith is certainly not a holiday destination but it is an ideal overnight stopover to break a long car trip or else, as the previous reviewer states, a good place to stock up on groceries for self catering holidays. If you need a delicious and very reasonably priced lunch (served with a smile) after your shopping stop at Pick and Pay, drive a little further up the road and try La Moree. Perfect for a casual supper too. Regarding overnight accommodation, skip the impersonal hotels and look at the top rated lodges and B and B's. Our personal favourite is De Oude Huize.

My wife and I were travelling down to KZN (from Gauteng) and selected Harrismith as our halfway stopover. We selected a guest house prior to departing and found it quite easily. We travelled through the town centre and was somewhat appalled by the condition some of the roads in town were in (potholes etc.). The streets were generally 'clean'; however, you would find some areas in town that had refuge and waste lying next to the road, as with most places, unfortunately. We spent the night at the guest house and decided to dine out for the evening. The owners of the guesthouse we were staying at were friendly and directed us to the Spur at the Bergview complex. The food was good and the staff friendly. Harrismith, however, does not seem to cater too much for travellers (as most small main route towns in SA), as the Spur was the only restaurant in the area that appeared to attract residents and travellers. We were planning on visiting Mugg n Bean for a coffee afterwards, but were surprised to find it closed (8pm, Thursday night). Besides the dining, there was nothing else to do. We retired to our guesthouse after the meal and went on our way the next morning. I am surprised that Harrismith, being quite 'centrally' placed on the N3 route, does not do more to attract travellers. Even during the massive snow spell in August 2012, I did not notice any of the restaurants or businesses capitalising on this (soups and hot chocolate)? The town itself seems to have 'pockets' of new development, but appears to be losing ground in terms of keeping up with resident and traveller needs. Lodgings and restaurants do not seem to be doing too much to attract travellers. I am an avid mountain biker and I would have thought that Harrismith would offer great opportunities for outdoor sports. Quite sad, really. Harrismith is the last 'proper' town before you go down the Van Reenens pass. There is a lot of 'tourist' value in Harrismith that the local business people seem to be overlooking. If this review helps people in Harrismith realise this and start doing a bit more then 'just enough', then I will be happy.

ON OUR WAY TO THE SOUTH COAST WE DECIDED TO TRAVEL THE BACK-ROADS AND NOT THE USUAL N3. WE HAD SUCH SCENERIC VIEWS AND BREATH TAKING MOMENTS ON OUR WAY FROM CLARENS TO HARRISMITH - ALL CAPTURERED ONTO OUR CAMERA. WE BOUGHT KFC IN HARRISMITH AND WERE SURPRISED THAT THE TOWN WAS SO CLEAN AND NEAT. WE ENJOYED THE OLD BUILDINGS AND CHURCHES. WE HAD FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT SERVICE. WE STAYED ONE NIGHT AT LA LA NATHI COUNTRY LODGE. WHAT A PLEASURE. WE WILL DO THIS ONCE AGAIN LATER IN 2013 BUT WILL SPEND MORE TIME IN HARRISMITH BEFORE LEAVING THIS BEAUTIFUL TOWN. HEEEHAAA TO HARRISMITH.

We passed through Harrismith on our way to Shelly Beach, we stayed over at the Mount Everest Game Farm approx 5km out of town, what a pleasant surprise,the mountains are breathtaking beautifull, the town on itself is neat and people seemed friendly, we had supper at the Ocean Basket and brakfast at the Wimpy in Harrysmith, where we received a warm welcome. We will definetly make this a annual sleepover -stop on our way to the South Coast.

Harrismith is a relaxing family weekend retreat district. Ideal for people wanting to be exposed to farm life and enjoy beautiful mountains and rolling valleys. This forms part of my annual July holiday, which involves cosy fires, crisp air and relaxed time on the verander.

Loved it to look through all the small little shops when we stoped to have a bite. The only problem was to decide where to eat! All the places where favourites.

We spent time in the berg, had enjoyed silence, open space and little human contact. Our vehicle suddenly showed a warning light, a critical one if it is a real indication. We stopped in at the local dealership, they inspected the vehicle, repaired the fault, minor luckily, and sent us on our way. Community spirit and support combined with a landscape so desolate yet so beautiful and blissful silence. Loved it will certainly go back.

Shopping at the SPAR and PICK & Pay is ideal. The mountain and especially now when it snows, beautiful. People are very friendly in Harrismith. Guesthouse in Kingshill: Thanks Alet at Harrismith Guesthouse.

Passed through Harrismith only on route to the Berg. Ideal place to do some grocery shopping as the shops in the Berg are very expensive.

Eg Vrystaatse ervaring!

Small, dirty, adequate shops, pic n pay, Kentucky, etc.

Friendly service!

Not seen as a final destination - only visit one family member who stays there. (Family member was away to attend funeral in Kroonstad on this occasion). Had to stay elsewhere due to family member absence at short notice.

Harrismith is very central to all the nearby sites, such as the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve. Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve has no shopping facilities and Harrismith is only 20 km away.