(Fort Durnford is about 5Km from the N3)
Fort Durnford was constructed as a frontier post after alarm caused
by the Langalibalele Rebellion in 1873. Major Antony Durnford of
the Colonial Engineers selected the site and possibly also designed
it. Certainly his signature is on the plans. Today the Fort is the
home of the Estcourt Museum.
Built in 1874 to protect the townspeople against possible Zulu
attack. There is a reconstructed Amangwane Zulu Kraal in the
grounds
The Fort is strategically placed on an eminence above the old
military post at the drift. It is a substantial rectangular
structure of local sandstone, with walls two feet thick rising
approximately thirty feet. There are two square towers, one to the
South East and one to the North West. There are heavily barred
windows throughout and numerous loopholes. The windows were
originally fitted with heavy iron shutters turning on hinges spiked
to the walls, for closure when not manned. Inside the building a
stone paved hall gives entry to the body of the Fort, with guard,
barrack and storerooms. Off a side passage, originally closed by a
grille and probably used for prisoners, there are doors to a
vaulted powder-magazine and offices.
Other items of interest include an underground tank beneath the
floor of one of the rooms, and in the ground floor of the North
West Tower the remains of a pit from which two "secret" tunnels
allegedly lead. One tunnel heads north-west towards the military
post at the drift and one north-east exiting from the hillside.
This would have been useful for bringing in supplies or
alternatively providing a means of escape.
New confirmed times;
Open Monday - Friday from 08h30 - 12h00 and 13h00 - 16h00.
Saturday from 08h30 - 13h00
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Entrance to the Fort/Museum is free but there is a Donation Box so
please make a small donation to help maintain a part of our
history.
The above coordinates are the entrance, the cache is located at:-
Final Cache
Coordinates:
S29 00.9AB
E29 53.CDE
A = The number of steps leading down at the sign “PASOP VOOR
DE TREIN”, minus 3.
B = The number next to the “Clay Pipes” at the Anglo-Boer
War display.
C = At the “BAR” the number on the display of the till next
to the “M”.
D = Col. A.W. Durnford was killed in action at Isandlwana on
22-0D-1879
E = The number next to the letters of Condolence; “The
Commanding Officer, Colonel M.P. Comrie”