Day Trip down the South Coast, family fun

This day trip is designed for the family with young children.  It meanders down the South Coast to Pennington for a swim in the sea.

Advice: Take sun block with; your family may not want to leave the beach.

Distance: If you visit all the places on this day trip, you will travel about 160km leaving Durban at Spaghetti Junction.

Illovo Nursery Terrace Tea Garden

Day Trip Directions: Head South on the N2, towards Port Shepstone.  Take exit 133 – Kingsburgh, R603, R102, Umbumbulu, Kingsway.  At the stop street turn left – R603 (R102) Kingsway, Winkelspruit.  At the T-junction, turn right into Kingsway Road.  At the robot just before Pick & Pay and Kentucky, turn right (if you had turned left you’d be following the road sign into Gordon Road).  Continue along this road until you reach Elizabeth Avenue, the Illovo Nursery sign board directs you to turn left and you’ll find the nursery on your left.  After your visit, when you come out of Elizabeth Avenue, turn left – Umkomaas (R102).  You’ll be able to get back onto the N2 – just follow the sign board N2/Mnini.

The tea garden overlooks the nursery; the perfect place to eat breakfast.  Other attractions include a children’s playground, an animal farm, ceramics, a quaint clothing store and of course the nursery.

The Hope Shop, Umkomaas

Day Trip Directions: Take exit 117 – Craigie Burn / Umkomaas and turn left at the stop street towards Umkomaas.  Continue along this road – Maclean Street – until you notice Reynold Street, turn right.  The Hope Shop is on the corner of Harvey and Reynold Street.

Stop off to buy souvenirs.  You will find a selection of local handcrafted gifts, clothing, jewellery and imported goods.  There is a wide selection of things you can buy as ornaments for your home or as unusual gifts.

Crocworld

Day Trip Directions: Back on the N2 heading South, take exit 110 – Dududu, Scottburgh, R102 and turn left at the stop street towards Scottburgh.  At the T-junction, turn left towards Crocworld and you’ll find Crocworld on your left.

You are bound to spend a while at Crocworld.  There are not only crocodiles; the flamingos, meerkats, pythons and other animals are just as likely to keep you captivated.  Stroll through the park or get comfortable on one of the benches and enjoy the serenity.

Pennington Beach, The Impithi Beach Kiosk

Day Trip Directions: Once back on the N2, take exit 93 – R102, Esperanza, Sezela and turn left at the stop street towards Sezela.  Turn right into Pennington Drive.  Continue driving along Pennington Drive then after a while you’ll notice the train tracks and a sign board directing you to turn right over the tracks to Impithi Beach Kiosk.  Turn right into Cherry Lane and park.

It is the perfect place to have a delicious and reasonably priced lunch.  It overlooks Pennington Beach; a swim in the sea is the way to end this day trip!