A natural paradise of lush indigenous trees, tranquil nature reserves and golden beaches adorns KwaZulu-Natal's unspoilt South Coast. Nestling on the banks of a shimmering lagoon is the picturesque town of Scottburgh. Beaches, nature trails, Aliwal Shoal and rivers provide endless opportunity for leisure and outdoor adventure. Within the town, craft shops, fleamarkets and cosy cafe's beckon with small-town charm and hospitality.
Scottburgh and its surrounding areas are home to thousands of bird species including the brilliantly coloured Knysna and Purple-crested Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and vervet monkeys, dolphins and visiting whales.
A temperate climate and a fine selection of accommodation, restaurants and enjoyable activities make Scottburgh and surrounding areas the perfect holiday destination.
Tourism, retail, light industry and sugarcane farming form the cornerstones of Scottburgh's economy. An abundance of restaurants, tour specialists, ecoadventure operators, arts and outdoor festivals, and tourism based attractions cater for the annual avalanche of holidaymakers that descends on Scottburgh
Scottburgh is a holiday paradise, with special attractions, good food, outdoor activities and shopping opportunities to please every temperament. The many lookout spots along the old main road offer panoramic views of the beach and lagoon from various view sites. The Mini steam train delights children and parents on its journey across Back Beach to Monkeyland. Enjoy Scottburgh's famous Crocworld boosting the largest Nile crocodile, bred in captivity. Scottburgh's creative spirit is well manifested in a selection of craft shops, galleries and the craft market held monthly on the banks of the river, whilst a host of national retail stores offer visitors the luxury of a modern town.
BEACHES
The main bathing beach is Scottburgh's greatest asset. The protected bay provides both swimmers and surfers with a gradual slope and perfectly formed waves with no shore-dumper. The main swimming beach has shark nets, year round lifeguards, a saltwater swimming pool, supertube waterslide, miniature golf and a miniature train. There are umbrellas, deckchairs, surfboards and paddleskies to hire and the toilets and showers are kept clean.
Park Pynie and Rocky Bay both have a swimming beach with shark nets and lifeguards in season as well as a tidal pool. One can see the wreck of a whaler that ran aground in 1920 at Rocky Bay. If you walk south from the point, you will discover the most beautiful coastline where you can climb the rocks and play in the rock pools. Why not pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the thundering sounds of the ocean?
The Umkomaas River mouth is very popular as a fishing spot but definitely not recommended for swimming as sharks are frequently spotted in the shallow waters. There is a large tidal pool at the beach complex, which includes a restaurant and activities for the youth. Pennington main beach does not have any shark nets but has a beautiful tidal pool on wide o 4 beaches. The views from the tuckshop kiosk are absolutely breathtaking while you eat a delicious snack. There are toilets and showers available.
SARDINE RUN
Every year this coast experiences one of the wonders of nature. From July to August the great sardine run can be expected. Millions of these little fish about the size of a ruler make their way up the southern Natal coast, followed by thousands of sea birds, game fish sharks and dolphins. This brings tremendous excitement to fishermen and non?fishermen mike especially when they beach themselves, which causes a frenzy of activity. The seine netters net them in their thousands and all and sundry use any type of receptacle to carry them off. Sardine fever is an experience never to be forgotten!
COUTA CLASSIC
The Couta Classic is a fishing competition held during the Easter weekend by the Pennington Ski Boat Club. It attracts ski boat owners and fishermen from all over the country hoping to hook the big one so as to win one of the fabulous prizes on offer.
FISHING
There are various interesting fishing spots on the Central South Coast. From the beaches at Umkomaas, the rocks at Scottburgh main beach to Rocky Bay, where the old whaling station was situated, all are fishermen's paradise. For those looking for a deep sea adventure, there are charter fishing operators, who launch from Rocky Bay, Umkomaas and Pennington and take fishermen to where the big game fish are.
GOLF
SCOTTBURGH GOLF COURSE - (039) 976 0041
The Scottburgh course, par 69, is designed with 2 par fives and 5 par threes. Although a short course, it is still a good test of golfing skill. A straight drive on the third hole is essential because of coastal bush hugging the fairway on the left and out of bounds railway line on the right. The elevated eighteenth tee has a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean.
SELBORNE COUNTRY CLUB - (039) 975 3564
Selborne started as a dairy farm but has since become one of the finest golf courses and country estates in South Africa. Situated in a secure and picturesque environment are upmarket corporate and private homes as well as the exquisite Hotel overlooking the 18th green. Enjoy a game on the immaculately maintained golf course, where huge indigenous trees flank the fairways water hazards are plenty and bird and wildlife abound.
UMDONI PARK - (039) 975 1320
A classic 18-hole course with great sea views and majestic, sloping fairways. There are a couple of interesting water hazards and dense forest-like rough where you don't want to look for your balls. The Umdoni Golf course stretches past Botha House, the former holiday home of the President of South Africa. Small duiker and bush buck are often spotted on the course as well as the brightly coloured Knysna Louries.
UMKOMAAS GOLF COURSE - (039) 973 1042
This course is only 5 479 metres in length and the good news for some players is that it does not contain water hazards although the course is heavily wooded and contains quite a few bunkers. Local golfers are quick to explain that the 415 metre par-four 3rd is reputed to be the most difficult hole in KZN.
CROCWORLD
Crocworld, established in 1985, has become a major tourist venue on the South Coast since it has upgraded its facilities to international standards over the past three years. At any given time, over 10000 Nile Crocodiles as well as Alligators, African long-snouted and Dwarf Crocodiles are displayed. Crocworld is, however, far more than a crocodile farm, it is a complete wildlife experience. It is one of the finest examples of multi-disciplinary land use in Natal, landscaped with indigenous trees and plants to blend in with the surrounding coastal dune forest. The visitor can enjoy the tranquility of 30 hectares of park-like gardens, meander through the man?made Wetland Park to view the water birds and flamingos, and enjoy the waterfalls, Cycad garden and the magnificent sea and inland valley views. The more daring can cross the rope bridge suspended over the water of the enclosure, which holds Henry, the oldest and heaviest known Nile crocodile in captivity. The multi-story, walk through raptor cage Houses Isis, the famous Fish Eagle, and many other birds, snakes a Ad tortoises can be viewed in their beautiful, natural habitats.
NATURE TRAILS
EMPISINI NATURE RESERVE (039) 973 0093
A Wildlife Society Nature Reserve on 120 ha of pristine coastal forest and old canefields converted to grasslands. There are a number of walking trails through dense marshland, along the grassy slopes near the dam, past a waterfall and through a clear running stream. Monkeys, mongoose, bushbuck, blue duiker, otter, bushpig and several species of bats have made Empisini their home. Pack a picnic lunch or stay overnight in the treehouse and enjoy what nature has to offer.
TC ROBERTSON NATURE RESERVE (039) 978 3213
Situated along the banks of the Mpambonyoni River, the TC Robertson Nature Reserve offers its visitors a unique nature experience. The reserve has become a popular picnic and braai venue for people who enjoy spending a pleasant day in the country. A walk in the reserve will take one through coastal forest, coastal grasslands, wetlands, riverine and estuarine systems, palmveld and thornveld. An interpretation of the name Mpamonyoni, is "where birds gather" and the bird life is indeed prolific with over 200 species having been recorded here. A strategically placed hide offers the bird watcher the chance to observe both terrestrial and aquatic birds. Also in the reserve, one can find an assortment of smaller wildlife from buck to butterflies and mongoose to monkeys. There are 12km of established trails which can either be self?guided or guided walks by a ranger.
VERNON CROOKES NATURE RESERVE (039) 974 2222
Situated in Umzinto, this reserve was proclaimed on 4 January 1973 and is now 2189 hectares and comprises fine coastal forest and grasslands with abundant wildlife such as impala, blue wildebeest, zebra, bushbuck, blesbok, reedbuck, duiker, blackbacked jackal, vervet monkey, mongoose, eland and porcupine. There are 12 km of tourist roads in the reserve and pleasant picnic sites are available.
DISCLAIMER
All information in this article is believed accurate. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, no liability can be accepted by Peacehaven Holiday Flats for any errors or omissions that may occur
This information made available by the kind permission of B Poynter Print (Pty) Ltd Telephone 039 9761248