ALTHOUGH our first choice for a weekend getaway is always a game or nature reserve, a recent family gathering saw us spending a long weekend in a highly urbanised environment, the city of Richards Bay. It is a major industrial centre but it proved to be a particularly lovely city and a good example of a carefully thought-out urban area that makes the most of its many attributes. We were also most impressed by the attractive, well-treed and beautifully maintained Richards Bay Caravan Park where we stayed.
Security was first class and all the staff members we met, from reception staff and managers to security guards and the groundsmen, were friendly and helpful.
It is a large resort with plenty of shady caravan and tent sites and it is situated right next to the beach. With all its family-orientated facilities – large swimming pool, a well-equipped playground, games centre, volleyball courts, outdoor chess, paintball, mini golf course, laundry and ample, well-appointed ablutions – it must be a great favourite as a family holiday resort. During the holidays it would be packed with happy families but it was fairly empty and so lovely and peaceful when we stayed there. It certainly enhanced our enjoyment of our visit to the city.
Built on the extensive Mhlatuze River Lagoon, Richards Bay is a modern city of waterways, wetlands, shady trees and green space. A gateway to the wilderness areas and reserves of Zululand, it is also a birding hotspot, in fact one of South Africa’s top water bird areas, and it is a destination on the Zululand Birding Route. It started out life as a makeshift harbour during the Anglo-Boer War. The commodore of the Cape, Sir Frederick Richards, was responsible for this project and it is after him that the city is named. In 1935 the Richards Bay Game Sanctuary was set up to protect the natural environment around the lagoon and this was later expanded into the Richards Bay park.
The beginnings of the town were laid out of the shores of the lagoon way back in 1954 but the town of Richards Bay was only proclaimed in 1969.
Its first suburb was Meerensee, established in 1970, and this was followed by Arboretum in 1975, the same year that the town saw a massive developmental boost, the converting of its lagoon into a deep water harbour. This harbour is now one of the biggest in South Africa and it is the largest coal export facility in the world. The city, one of South Africa’s most rapidly growing urban areas, boasts many industrial ventures, including two aluminium smelters, a fertiliser plant and mining operations in the surrounding dunes.
Richards Bay is certainly one of our country’s industrial power houses, but sound town planning ensures that the peaceful leafy residential suburbs and recreational area are far removed from industrial hustle and bustle and any possible pollution. Soon after we’d set up camp we took a look at the beachfront area including Alkanstrand, the main swimming beach. It is a Blue Flag beach, which means it must keep up high standards regarding facilities, environmental soundness, security, educational programmes and water safety.
An attractive swimming beach, it was obviously well used by residents as well as visitors.
While on the beach we watched an almost constant stream of ships leaving or entering the harbour and there were many ships at anchor waiting their turn to enter the busy harbour. However, it wasn’t just the harbour that attracted seafaring visitors to the city.We met our family for a function at the Zululand Yachting Club that evening and every berth there was filled with beautiful yachts from all over the world. The city was hosting sailors taking part in the World ARC Round the World Rally. More than 200 yachts were part of this annual event and were making their way around the world. And Richards Bay was one of the stopover points. The next leg of the journey would take the sailors to Cape Town.
The next day, when we visited the town’s attractive waterfront area there were also many yachts berthed at the lively small craft harbour, too. Yachting – well boating in general – was certainly a major activity in watery Richards Bay. On the Saturday morning we had a lovely opportunity to see more of the attractive city – this time on foot. We took part in the Richards Bay parkrun, one of the free timed 5km runs that take place every Saturday morning, under the parkrun banner, all over the world.
The course, which started at the waterside Zululand Multi Sports Club, was fairly easy and very scenic.
It is laid out along a network of gravel paths, dirt roads, a pathway through a lovely bit of swamp forest, across a grassy tract and alongside a pier onto Pelican Island before returning to the start. As always, parkrunners were friendly and welcoming. It is an honour to be part of the parkrun fraternity. Our last evening was spent watching the sunset from one the of yachts at the small craft harbour boats, a particularly pleasant place to sip sundowners at the end of the a busy day.
Then we returned to our pretty little campsite for a final peaceful night at the caravan park. As far as cities go, green and pleasant Richards Bay just has to be a winner. We could well use it as a fine example of how to green up other urban areas, thereby enhancing the health, well-being and happiness of city-bound communities.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
