Hertzog Bridge Traditional Cache

Aliwal North is a little town on the banks of the Orange River, on the main route (N6) between Bloemfontein and East London. It was founded in 1849 and to commemorate his victory over the Sikhs under Runjet Singh, at Aliwal in India in 1946 it was named such by the Governor of the Cape, Sir Henry Smith (1847-1852). The town was laid out in 1849 on ground acquired by the government and 38 lots were auctioned off for £972 each. Aliwal North achieved municipal status in 1852.

The settlement of the area and its development into a town is probably connected to the presence of good water, thermal springs and a good fording place ('drift') across the Orange River, just below its confluence with the Kraai River. The Frere Bridge was opened in 1880 and later replaced with the General Hertzog Bridge, leading to Bloemfontein, some 206 km to the north. To the south-west of the town, the Kramberg raises to 2000 m above sea level.