Although the area of Scottburgh is hugely popular with tourists, it also offers permanent residents an enviable coastal lifestyle.
About 58km south of Durban, at the mouth of the Mpambanyoni River, sits the old South Coast town of Scottburgh. Established as the first township south of Durban and a port to service the sugar farms and mills, it became home to the British immigrants known famously as the Byrne Settlers.
Today, Scottburgh with its endless beaches, holiday accommodation and “golf coast” reputation, is a tourist magnet for those from up country and outside South Africa. The grass-covered banks leading down to Scottburgh Beach, “Main Beach”, provides a favourite picnicking spot, while “Back Beach” in front of the well-known Scottburgh Caravan Park has rock pools perfect for children, shell hunting and even snorkelling.
Scottburgh Beach is a hot spot for local and out-of-town surfers, snorkellers and body boarders alike, while Aliwal Shoal draws scuba divers – dive charters run daily from the beach in front of the Cutty Sark Hotel.
Scottburgh is well known for the annual “sardine run”, where anglers flock to the beaches in the hopes of a big catch. There’s great hype around the event as sea birds follow the shoals and game fish trail them. Superb sightings of whales, dolphins and other game fish are possible from the beach.
Although Scottburgh has retained its small-town feel, recent years have seen expansion with a shopping mall, medical centre, and a new trauma unit currently under construction. There are two major hotels with easy beach access, namely the Cutty Sark Hotel, north of the river, and the Blue Marlin Hotel, on the river’s south side, which has recently undergone a R32m upgrade.
Scottburgh Caravan Park, on the seaward side of the railway line overlooking the beach, has long been popular, both in and out of season. Once the holiday-makers leave, in come pensioners from all over the country, with some staying as long as three to four months.
There are three main areas in Scottburgh: Scottburgh Central; Freeland Park to the north, with its sea and beach views; and Scottburgh South. There are several retirement villages, and Phase 2 of the upmarket retirement/lifestyle development Renishaw Hills is under construction. Affordability and proximity to Durban have attracted many young families to the area, many of whom commute to the city.
I love living in Scottburgh as it still has an extremely laid-back feel to it; nothing feels rushed, the dress code is casual and people still have time to stop and chat and help out if necessary
-Rosemary Mason, resident.
Nature nearby:
- TC Robertson Nature Reserve – a well-run wetland area with a wide selection of birds which nest in the area, and a few bird hides.
Top schools:
- Scottburgh Pre-Primary School
- Casa Di Montessori (Pre-Primary)
- Hilltop Pre-Primary
- Scottburgh Primary School
Scottburgh High School
Things to do:
Enjoy a round of golf at Scottburgh Golf Club – the Annual Sardine Run Golf Tournament takes place in June.
- Try mountain biking – the joBerg 2C and Sani 2C and events end in Scottburgh.
- Explore the Rocky Bay Resorts mountain bike and running trails on the Ellingham Estate farm.
- Go swimming, surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling at the beaches nearby.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.