The vast sardine shoals being pursued by thousands of dolphins, sharks, game fish and fur seals – with the occasional whale in attendance – while vast squadrons of sea-birds wheel overhead before raining down to join the melee.

The Port Shepstone ‘boom’ inspired plans for further development, this began with the assembly of a present-day National Monument – the lighthouse which was cast in Britain and shipped out in component form. This and a second lighthouse halfway to Durban unfortunately failed to prevent vessels from running aground with alarming regularity along the entire South Coast, and with the railway’s arrival in Port Shepstone on 26th July 1901, the shipping service was doomed. Plans to extend the rail service further south were abandoned, but for the visitor with a keenness for steam locomotives, another treat nonetheless lay in store. During the early 20th Century, 122- kilometres of narrow-gauge freight link were laid inland. This was later adapted to carry passengers, and today the ‘Banana Express’ is a charming meander where passengers have a vista of rural Zulu villages, waving plantations of sugarcane and majestic indigenous forests.

A wonder of the natural world, the 27-kilometre long Oribi Gorge boasts a history dating back to the splitting of earth’s proto-supercontinents. The Gorge is home to 250 recorded bird species, plus bushbuck, reedbuck, blue and grey duiker. You may also be lucky enough to see one of the famous Big Five – a leopard prowling its enigmatic way through the African bush!

For the adrenalin junkies there are the Adventure Sports for which Oribi Gorge has a renowned reputation. Not least challenging among these is a 110-metre abseil, ranked among the world’s highest. Additional thrills include white water rafting and black water tubing in the rainy season, and year-round wall climbing, mountain biking and hiking trails. The motto among these devotee’s: ‘If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!’

Further inland of Oribi Gorge, across the Oribi Flats, lies the environmental treasure trove of the Harding district. This is referred to as ‘No- Man’s Land’ when Zulu expansionists and European opportunists each sought the lion’s share of its natural spoils. Beneath the Ngele Mountain range lies the Zulu Kingdom’s largest indigenous forests, with the Weza- Ngele State Forest Nature Reserve boasting gigantic old yellow- wood trees, numerous small animals and an assortment of fantastically plumed birds. Thanks to well- maintained trails, visitors can absorb these splendours on foot, from horseback or mountain bike. Harding has come a long way since 1882, when the first hotel was added to its three trading stores and four private homes!

Port Shepstone, is a place to explore a thriving and bustling, multi-cultural and amenity-filled commercial centre of the Hibiscus Coast. For culinary insights into our ‘ethnic mosaic’ there’s no better opportunity than the year round mosques, temples, spice- and trinket-filled bazaars illustrating the 'Indian influence', while the town’s century old, picturesque 18-hole Country Club holds the Colonial key. Welcome to South Africa’s ‘Golf Coast’. A course of the ‘not-too-taxing’ variety, Port Shepstone Country Club lies along the Mzimkulu River. The first nine holes are laid out in a wooded, challenging terrain – a definite contrast to the back nine’s seaside and open, ‘links’ feel.

Port Shepstone beaches are wide and golden, and packed with fishermen when the weather is at its best – the National Monument Lighthouse is yet another listed ‘hot-spot’ for viewing the annual Sardine Run.

Margate lies within the Hibiscus Coast, the South Coast, the Golf Coast, regardless of its many names it is surely South Africa's east coast best holiday paradise. Phenomenal beaches, vast golf courses and much more ensure that you will want to return to again and again.

The Hibiscus Coast is approximately 120 kilometres south of Durban and extends from Hibberdene in the north to Port Edward in the south with Port Sheptone and Margate being the main towns in between.

The warm, sunny, sub-tropical climate in the area appeals to all visitors and even winter days are warm enough to swim in the Indian Ocean. In addition to the beaches there are plenty of other activities including numerous sporting clubs, libraries, museums, and nature trails.