Northern Natal is the larger of the tourism regions of KwaZulu-Natal. This area includes Ladysmith, Colenso, Dundee, Glencoe, Newcastle and Vryheid. The area is steeped in local history and is famous for its historical battlefields and numerous Game Parks.

Every town, historical building, battle site and memorial has a fascinating tale to tell, with the famous Siege of Ladysmith having taken place during the Second Boer War and lasting 18 full days.

The towns of Dundee and Glencoe are situated in the Biggarsberg Mountains and are part of the Endumeni Local Municipality. They are both rich in coal deposits. Newcastle is a city in North-West KwaZulu-Natal, on the Ncandu River and is a busy industrial area. The town was originally called Post Halt Two, as it was the second stop on the journey between Durban and Johannesburg. Vryheid has coal mining and cattle farming, although it is predominantly a timber producing area.