Holidaymakers on the North Coast are used to filling up their days on the beach, but with additional restrictions in place many are having to look for alternatives.

Here a few things that you can do for R60 or less, and less than an 40 minutes drive from Ballito.

1. Flag Animal Farm

Built on the passion of co-founder Genevieve Chisholm, Flag Farm is a sanctuary for rescued animals of all shapes and sizes.

Located in Sheffield, the farm provides a great day out for adults and children alike who can marvel at a number of unusual creatures and critters.

The farm puts on a whole series of shows every day, including: 11am wolf interaction, 12.30pm milking show, 2pm reptile show and 3.30pm wolf interaction.

Contact: Gen at 032 9472018/20/ | fosgreen@mweb.co.za | www.flaganimalfarm.co.za

Cost: R55 per person, Rides tractor, train, pony, fire engine, animal feeds are R12 each, Waterpark R20 per child per hour.

Trading hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am to 4.30pm. Closed on public holidays.

2. The Umgeni River Bird Park

The Umgeni River Bird Park, a staple on the Durban holiday calendar since 1984, is a place to learn about the wide array of bird life that can be found in KwaZulu-Natal.

There are more than 800 birds from over 200 species that can be found at the park and you are sure to find a new favourite when you visit.

Contact: The park at 031 322 5750 | grant.aggett-cox@durban.gov.za | https://www.umgeniriverbirdpark.co.za/

Cost: Children (under 12) R42, Pensioners R36, Adults R64.

Trading Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 3pm.

3. Mitchell Park Zoo

Named after Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell in 1910, the zoo has been around for over a century. 

While you may have found lions and elephants back then, the zoo now hosts a number of smaller animals and bird life alongside its manicured gardens which are perfect for picnics.

Be sure not to miss out on the crocodiles, tortoises and raccoons and enjoy a drink in the Blue Zoo tea garden afterwards.

Contact: Mitchell Park Zoo on 031 303 2275

Cost: Adults R13, Children R11 and Pensioners R6.

Trading Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am to 4pm (last public entry is at 2.30)

4. Durban Botanic Gardens

The Durban Botanic Gardens are the oldest surviving Botanic Gardens in South Africa, having been established in 1849.

The gardens host a multitude of well-preened flower displays and a variety of rare trees and cycads.

Although concerts are currently not allowed, you are still able to go and have a picnic on the lawns.

There is plenty of space to let the kids run free and to remain adequately socially distant.

Contact: The Gardens at 031 322 4021 | reception@dbgt.org.za | durbanbotanicgardens.org.za

Cost: Entrance is free.

Trading Hours: The Gardens reopen on January 4th. Monday – Sunday, 9am to 5.45pm.

5. Sugar Rush Park

Sugar Rush Park has a variety of options for families, a number of which can be enjoyed for less than R60.

Hop on the Sugar Rush Express train for a ride around the park at R30 per ride.

Visit Thumper’s Playground, an animal sanctuary where children can play with a number of small animals which have been rehomed at a cost of R30 per child per day.

Finally, take on the tricky putt-putt course which has a number of fun obstacles for R60 per child (under 12) per round. Adults can play the course for R90.

Contact: Sugar Rush Park at 060 997 9996 | www.sugarrush.co.za

Cost: Varies by activity.

Trading Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am – 4pm

6. Minitown Durban

Established in 1969, Minitown has since been a firm favourite of families visiting the Durban beachfront.

It is modeled as a typical South African seaside town and is not a model of Durban, although you will find many Durban buildings in the town.

It is built in 1:24 scale, so children and adults alike can marvel at the functioning miniature harbour and airport which have remote controlled vehicles.

Contact: Minitown at 031 337 7892 | minitown@live.co.za | https://www.minitowndbn.co.za/

Cost: Adults R40, Children R30.

Trading Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.

7. Luthuli museum

One of the greatest names ever to have come out of South Africa, chief Albert Luthuli became the first African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent stance in the fight for liberation.

Luthuli’s former home in Groutville has been turned into a museum commemorating both the icon himself, and the struggle against apartheid in SA – while also providing a platform for cultural expression.

The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am – 4pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 11am – 3pm.

Cost: Entrance is free.

Contact: 032 559 6822 | www.luthulimuseum.org.za 

8. Durban Natural Science Museum

The Durban Natural Science Museum is the most popular of its kind in South Africa.

Housed in historic City Hall, the museum hosts almost 300 000 visitors annually who flock to see the wonders of our natural world.

There are a multitude of wonders to be seen at the museum, chief amongst them an almost full scale T-Rex skeleton and a full Dodo skeleton, both rarities in any top museum.

Bring the whole family along to have fun and to learn about our shared history.

Contact: Durban Natural Science Museum at 031 311 2256.

Cost: Entrance is free.

Trading Hours: Monday – Friday, 8.30am to 4pm. Sunday and Public Holidays, 11am – 4pm.

9. Have a township experience

For a true township experience visit Palmland Shisanyama in Thembeni, KwaDukuza.

You can stay at Palmland Guesthouse, have a township tourism experience, get your car washed and enjoy an authentic Shisanyama (braai/ barbeque).

Contact: Pinky at 073 436 6024 | www.palmland.co.za

Cost: Free entry

Trading hours: Monday – Thursday, 8am – 8pm, Friday 9am – 10pm, Saturday 9am – 11pm, Sunday 8am – 7pm.

Shisanyama 032 Lifestyle, in Groutville, is the real deal.

While the menus differ from one establishment to the next, you will likely find boerewors, mieliepap and chakalaka.

One of their most popular meals is the traditional Usu (trip) and Inyama Yenhloko (cow’s head) cooked in a big black pot on an open fire.

Contact person: Siyethemba Cele at 072 1597 543 | 032lifestyle@gmail.com

Cost: Entry is free, R30 for events

Trading hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 10pm.

10. Explore Durban by bicycle

For R60 for an hour and R90 for 2 hours you can rent a bike and see the city.

A little less, R50, gets you a skateboard for an hour.

Xpression Durban has bicycles for children and as well as two bicycles with child seats.

Visit their store at 17 Erskine Terrace, Addington Beach, Durban.

You can cycle from the shop along the beachfront to the Umgeni River at Blue Lagoon – Moses Mabhida Stadium is also easily accessible.

It’s a scenic 6km cycle north on a well maintained, clean, wide stretch of pavement which runs alongside the ocean with an extra 1km to cycle south.

In total you can do a round trip of 14km of coastal cruising.

Contact: 074 134 1232.

Cost: Visit their website for a full price list.

Trading hours: Closed until Saturday, January 2. Open 7:30am – 4pm.