Nestled along the unspoilt coastline bordering the warm Indian Ocean on the Lower South Coast in KwaZulu-Natal, the upmarket suburb of Southbroom has all the trappings of suburban bliss.
This area has always been revered as the place to live on the South Coast. It is closely situated to all the main centres including Margate, Shelly Beach and Port Edward. The lush green environment, sub-tropical climate and spectacular views of the ocean provide the prefect backdrop for some of the most prestigious real estate on this belt of the coast. The popular Southbroom Golf Club forms an integral part of the village and according to the magazine Golf Digest, the town houses one of the top 100 clubs in the country. The nearby Wild Coast Casino boasts a number of top notch restaurants, tenpin bowling facilities and a cinema, as well as another top golf course.
Geared towards enticing tourists, which is the South Coast’s predominant industry driver, the area welcomes thousands of visitors to the region each holiday season. Offering some of the most spectacular blue flag beaches in the country, accommodation is often scarce in the area during peak holiday periods and business owners capitalise on the income that their businesses enjoy at these times.
According to recent statistics released by Lightstone, there have been a total of 40 property transfers that have taken place in the area over the past 12 months. The suburb in general has a fairly good mix of permanent and holiday owners, and is often the area of choice for retirees. The laid-back lifestyle coupled with the warm and friendly atmosphere that this suburb offers proves to be a winning formula. The statistics reveal that property sales have declined somewhat since 2004, when 162 sales were concluded. Property prices were at a premium in 2007 and sales worth a staggering R107 240m were concluded that year. Although sales volumes have dropped drastically, real estate price averages in the area have remained stable. The current price paid for a freehold property in the area is R1 643m and the average price paid for sectional title property is R1 725m.
A 20-minute drive out to Oribi Gorge, with some of the most spectacular view sites this side of the Grand Canyon, is guaranteed to impress. This well-kept secret is home to a number of attractions including the Wild Swing, the highest of its kind in the world, sends visitors free-falling over the edge of Lehr's Falls into a 100m arc - the equivalent of jumping off a 33 story building, reaching speeds of 120 kilometres per hour. It is also home to a number of exclusive B&Bs and guest lodges.
The Southern Explorer, a local publication, captures the true essence of the South Coast. This publication is a wealth of information and is a route guide for all of the activities and facilities that are available to those who take the time to explore this exquisite stretch of South Africa’s coastline.