THURSDAY, 8 June dawned with a cool winter’s bite as the launch of the Sodurba urban route tours got underway.
Local community tourism organisation (CTO), Sodurba invited municipal officials, eager members of the public and local organisations for a day of exploring, education and entertainment.
Commencing at the Bluff Eco Park, the group of about of 50 people travelled in a rickshaw bus to a variety of venues in the South Durban Basin (SDB).
This maiden tour featured a wider range of stops than would normally be suggested in one route. The aim of the day was to introduce people to what the SDB has to offer.
“The SDB is an extraordinarily diverse area with a colourful history. It is the sound of waves breaking, birds singing, steam blowing from industrial towers and gently bubbling curry. ” said Sodurba chairman, Helga du Preez.
She added that the tours will boost tourism, renew business opportunities and create jobs, bringing positive economic growth to the area.
There are three urban routes currently available for touring – the KZN Whale Coast Experience, Conservation Legacy Experience and Multi-Cultural Experience. Each will comprise sites catered to appeal to the interest of the participant. At a later date, Sodurba hopes to include a History Experience.
The tour
At the inaugural tour, the first stop was the Wildlife Society of South Africa’s (WESSA) Treasure Beach office, followed by a drive along Ansteys and Brighton beaches, then a view of the Bluff Nature Reserve. After that the group headed to Yellowwood Park to visit the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve’s castle and art gallery. Next on the tour was the Maritime and Whale History museums and a boat cruise in the harbour. The final stop was the Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramoniar Temple.
These and more stops will be included in the three experiences on offer. Those participating in the tour can make use of suggested tour guides or set the experience up themselves, following the route guidelines from Sodurba.
No longer to be known as the smog-filled ugly step-sister of other Durban hotspots, the aim of these tours is to make the SDB a tourism hub on par with other local areas and bring in much-needed wealth and development. With the area being renamed the ‘Whale Coast’ tit is being marketed as the best place for whale watching, historical education and environmental enlightenment.
View more photos from the maiden tour.
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