Free State, South Africa · Africa
Harrismith sits on the route: 30 minutes from Tshiame, 56km from Golden Gate Highlands National Park Road.
Harrismith is in Free State, South Africa, with about 33,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Tshiame, about 15 km away.
Harrismith is a large town in the Free State province of South Africa. It was named for Sir Harry Smith, a 19th-century British governor and high commissioner of the Cape Colony. It is situated by the Wilge River, alongside the N3 highway, about midway between Johannesburg, about 275 km to the north-west, and DurbanRead more
to the south-east. The town is located at the junction of the N5 highway, which continues westward towards the provincial capital Bloemfontein, some 340 km to the south-west. This important crossroads in South Africa's land trade routes is surrounded by mesas and buttes. It is located at the base of one of these called Platberg (i.e. "flat / flat-topped mountain" in Afrikaans).
The municipality was placed under administration in 2018 after then-mayor Vusi Tshabalala was removed from office on the basis of corruption allegations. Being situated halfway between Johannesburg and Durban, the town is generally very busy, especially the N3 freeway that runs past the town.
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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Harrismith.
Within an hour or so of Harrismith: Golden Gate Highlands National Park Road (56 km).
The nearest famous roads are Moteng Pass and Sani Pass.
Harrismith is in Free State, South Africa, about 15 km from Tshiame.
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Essential numbers in South Africa
112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.
Full driving guide for South Africa1 notable place within an hour's drive.
national park
The R712 winds between towering ochre and gold Clarens sandstone buttresses in the eastern Free State, glowing orange in late light. Eland and zebra graze beside the tarmac and there are no entrance gates to stop at.
56 km · about 65 min drive
2 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
Other places to explore near Harrismith.
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