The first functional Hospital in Durban, "The Bayside Hospital", was situated on the Victoria Embankment at the site now occupied by the Supreme Court. In 1879, the new Government Hospital was built at the present site, and named after Rt. Hon. Henry Addington who held the post of Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1801. Addington Hospital is a District and Regional Hospital with 471 beds and 2 200 staff, situated on South Beach, Durban. Hence the name: "Bayside Hospital".

The name Addington originates from that of the Estate of the late BWH Addison, the first Superintendent of the Hospital in present site in 1878. The other opinion about the origin of the name, says that a friend of Mr. Adison was instructed in 1860 to build a Township in Durban to be called Addington Township. Additions to the Hospital complex were ongoing, and the Hospital as it stands today was completed and officially opened on 10 November 1967.

As one gazes out at the sea from the high-rise Building, one can see close to shore the remains of the wreck of the 4 500-ton merchant ship, the 'Ovington Court', that ran aground on the Beach in front of the Hospital on 25 November 1940. Doctors were sent to the Beach render first-aid. The wards were cleared and many of the survivors were admitted. It was unbelievable that anyone could have been drowned so near the shore. This was the first of many emergency situations that the Hospital has responded to.

The hospital’s priority still remains the promotion of good service, adherence to service standards and recognition of high performing staff. “Guided by principles of Batho Pele, a desire to be amongst the best in the delivery of public health service is all that drives the institution forward”, says one of the staff at Addington. Today’s Hospital Manager, Dr J. Hurst, shares similar views regarding service excellence. She has been praised in many quarters, associated with many achievements the hospital has won, and initiated a number of projects in the name of service excellence “We work tirelessly to fulfill our mission and each problem is a driving force towards success”, said Dr Hurst in one her opening speech of the projects. "Today’s Addington, enjoys being at the cutting edge of others with its staff understanding the importance of collective action”, said one of the staff members.

Part of the Cape Fold Belt, the Langkloof Valley and Mountains are a short range of Mountains that serve as a link between the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua Mountains. In the Valley below is an Area that stretches for some 160 kilometres that is ideal for growing fruit, particularly apples and pears, but there are other varieties as well.
Dotted in amongst the fruit trees of fruit Farms in the Area, are a selection of little Town: Haarlem, Avontuur, Misgund, Joubertina, Kareedouw, Louterwater, Krakeel and Assegaaibos,(most of which lie on Route 62). Every one of the Towns originally clustered around a Railway Station, a series of Houses, a Church and a School that evolved from the initial introduction of farmers to the Valley during the late 18th century. Today the Towns are much the same, some of them larger, others virtually as they were when they appeared in amongst the incredible Mountains that surround the Valley, both North and South of here.
The Apple Express is a Train whose the future remains uncertain, runs infrequently today, links the Towns of the Valley and when it operates is well worth a trip for the sheer joy of riding on a narrow-gauge Railway Line and for the incredible views. It is the longest narrow-gauge Railway in the World today!
The Area is rich with fynbos, over 2000 species of which lie in the Langkloof valley. As a result there is an incredible bird life and the Langkloof Valley is a hiking mecca. The Formosa Nature Reserve is also in the valley, between Misgund and Kareedouw.

Melmoth, known as the gateway to the Zulu Highlands, is a picturesque, little Town just 200 km North East of Durban and 90 km from the Coastal Town of Mtunzini. Referred to, in the SA edition of Trivial Pursuit, as having the cleanest air in the country, Melmoth was a ‘gold rush’ town, founded in 1888 and named after Sir Melmoth Osborn, the resident commissioner of Zululand at the time. Melmoth is essentially regarded as a good base for travelers wanting to visit places of interest close to the Town, all with an hour’s drive. uMgungundlovu is the historic royal homestead of Dingaan and where Piet Retief and his party of Boer commandos were executed and Ulundi, the Capital of Zululand, is the Site of the last battle of the Anglo Zulu War. The Matatane Crocodile Ranch, on the banks of the White Umfolozi River, is a popular place for hikers and those wanting to experience crocodiles first hand, particularly as lion cubs have recently been introduced. Interestingly, Ntingwe Tea Plantations produce some of South Africa’s finest teas, solely for export, but the plantation is found in this remote corner of KwaZulu Natal. Regarded as lighter than other African teas, such as those produced in Kenya, Ntingwe has gained an excellent reputation in the international market and is retailed as a breakfast or afternoon refreshment. It was established in 1987 and is the single biggest employer and source of financial stability in the Region. Nkandla Forest is about 68 km from Melmoth. Throughout Zulu History it has been regarded as a place of mystery and the supernatural and the Chube, iron-workers associated with the Nkandla area, were never conquered by Shaka. The forest is a rare example of high wet rain forest, one of very few surviving examples and remnants of a time when the climate was wetter and colder. It is also one of the best examples of surviving mist belt forest in South Africa. Steams that rise in the Forest form deep gorges leading into the Nsuze River, running along the base of the ridge. To visit the Forest one needs permission from the Officer in Charge, as there are no visitor facilities available yet.

Uniondale lies adjacent to the Langkloof, which winds its way through the foothills of the of the Tsitsikamma Mountain range in an Area renowned for its scenic drives. Uniondale came into being when the two towns of Hopedale and Lyon became one in 1856. Uniondale was originally famous for its wagon building and ostrich feather industries but these faded over time leaving a quaint Farming Community whose principle production is sheep, goats, seeds and apples.
There is too much to keep visitors entertained, like its aloe factory, which produces aloe crystal, gel and health drinks and the six Anglo Boer War forts - one of which has been restored to its original state and is well worth a visit.
Then there’s Uniondale’s Watermill - the lovingly restored 1854 version with the largest wheel in South Africa, which now houses an art Gallery and superb Restaurant - and the Jewish Synagogue with its unique murals.
Some of the most beautiful Drives are possible in the area around Uniondale. The Prince Alfred, Homtini, Montagu and Phantom passes, all dirt roads, are sheer breathtaking beauty. A tarred alternative is the Langkloof to Kareedouw Drive, which twists and turns along the foot of the Tsitsikamma Mountain range. The Langkloof includes a fruit route, which takes in a number of fruit farms and packing sheds.
Possibly the best reason to linger in Uniondale is planning your outward journey: The N 9 takes you via Graaff-Reinet to Nieu-Bethesda and the unique Owl House; Prince Alfred’s Pass takes you down to Plettenberg Bay and Knysna on the Garden Route and if these don’t do it for you, then the R 62 takes you to Port Elizabeth.