Holidays provide an opportunity for precious family together time and what better place to spend it than amongst the beautiful 1000 Hills – which is the perfect destination for this time of year with its changing autumn colours, warm light and ever so slight chill in the air,
Many of our venues planned to host Easter specials and family-friendly activities over the Easter long weekend, however, the 1000 Hills have taken a battering with the floods this week, so we are not sure at this point, how many of the events are still able to take place – especially the outdoors ones.
Might be worth checking up if the outdoor events are still happening before driving up the hill. Check accessibility too, because some of the roads are problematic.
Here are some to consider:
Kearsney Easter Rugby Tournament
After a two year absence, the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is back on 14, 16 and 18 April. All matches will be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools App.
Participating schools are DHS, Glenwood, EG Jansen, Framesby, Marlow, Noord-Kaap, Waterkloof, Kearsney, Monument, Pretoria Boys High, Selborne College and Westville Boys High School. In the primary section:KZN Ibutho / Mark Godefroy U13 Development; Highbury Prep; Hillcrest Prep and Umhlali Prep
The school website and FB will have up-to-date fixtures and info.
Vintage Train Rides
Hop onto the beautiful old vintage passenger train which is doing multiple trips over the next few weeks, departing from Kloof and meandering among the 1000 Hills.
Over Easter, there are rides on Sat 16 @ 8.30am and 12.30pm and Sun 17 @ 8.30am and 12.30pm. In fact, the Easter bunny will be on both trains on Sunday 17 April, handing out eggs to young passengers.
Relish the ambience of stepping back in time for a joyous ride from Kloof to Inchanga and back again. The leisurely trip departs from Kloof Railway Station, traversing on the Old Main Line, meandering along the most picturesque scenery of Valley of 1000 Hills, through one of the oldest operating tunnels in SA to the half point destination, Inchanga.
Inchanga boasts a variety of activities – located in the Old Station Master’s House, the Inchanga Railway Museum is a delight of railway artefacts – including crockery used by the British Royal Family during their trip to South Africa exactly 75 years ago this month.
Another attraction is the model train which can be seen – along with Thomas & Friends – in the Modeller’s Shed on the station platform.
A selection of gifts, décor, homemade clothing, crafts, books, edibles and trinkets can be found at the Inchanga Market which also offers a selection of food for sale in the tea garden.
Woza Moya
Woza Moya at Hillcrest Aids Centre, have a range of Easter goodies this year – to wear, as gifts, treats or home decorations.
There are cute knitted egg-sized bunnies with outsized ears and colourful frocks and their distinctive range of Bunny Kats – brightly coloured in mixed media. Beatrix Potter has come to life with Peter-Rabbit inspired beautifully knitted bunnies, with blue jackets and white tummies – a perfect cuddly gift for little-ones.
The wire workers have made yellow chicks, egg baskets and chickens in various sizes and colours. To add to the Easter table are Easter biscuits and Easter themed jars of honey, with happy yellow bows and fluffy chickens on the lids.
Honouring the true meaning of Easter, there are of course crosses in various sizes and themes – including large ones beautifully decorated with beaded flowers in various colours representing the flowering of the cross after Good Friday.
The beaders have been busy – with a delightful range of gorgeous earrings with an Easter theme of bunnies, chickens and eggs.
They will be closed on Good Friday, open on Easter Saturday, closed on Easter Sunday and open for the morning only on Monday 18 April until 2pm..
PheZulu
A slithery Easter is offered at PheZulu! Children will be offered free Easter eggs when they arrive to visit the crocodile farm and snake park on Easter Sunday. You need to get there early to qualify! Gates open 8.30am
PheZulu Reptile Park is an outdoor adventure for those who are looking to learn and be thrilled. It boasts multiple crocodile enclosures; a creature cave with frogs, lizards and exotic reptiles, as well as a tortoise park.
For ophiophilists (lovers of snakes) there are plenty of snakes to admire including African Rock Python, Green Mamba, Black Mamba, Boomslang, Vine Snake, Puff Adder, Spitting Cobra, Rinkhals, Forest Cobra, Egyptian Cobra, Bush Snake, Night Adder, Spotted House Snake, Herald Snake, Southern Brown Egg Eater, Brown House Snake, Olive House Snake, Burmese Python, Anaconda and Boa Constrictor.
There are regular guided tours if you want to learn more about the reptiles.
Décor Art
The spacious airy café at Décor Art, Arts and Tarts, is offering an Easter Egg hunt on Friday, 15 April at 11am – with eggs on offer and prizes to be won.
Décor Art is well worth a visit over the long weekend – 22 tiny shops in happy, sunny, rainbow colours selling art, décor; craft; clothing; collectables; jewellery; recycled / upcycled pieces; ice creams and light vegetarian meals, can all be found above the fabulous, spacious Décor Art shop on Old Main Road, opposite Hilltop Centre in Botha’s Hill among the 1000 Hills.
With all of us looking for interesting things to do, ideally outdoors to be Covid compliant, which is family and dog friendly and works within a variety of budgets – Shongweni Market ticks all the right boxes. It offers a well-curated selection of stalls, an extensive variety of food and refreshments, attentive safety and security, ease of parking and access, great ambiance, and a relaxing vibe.
Macnut Farm
The beautiful Macnut farm in Assagay will be hosting an Easter Egg hunt for children on Sunday 17 April at 11.30am. The farm will be open for picnics from 10am til 4pm. Bring picnic baskets, or braai meat, as braai fires and salads will be available (at R80 pp). Entrance to the farm is R25 pp. There will be a fully-licensed bar open.
SPCA
SPCA’s Easter Eggstravaganza will be on Saturday, 16 April in and around their central Village Green area and Hidden Treasures Marquee, Tea Garden and Paws for Coffee trailer will be open from 8am-3pm as well as food vendors. There will be eggsiting discounts for SPCA loyal shoppers as well!
Meet the Jive Bunny at 10:30am and have your picture taken with him. Throughout the morning we will have Kevin Ellis doing dancing with the children as well as various games.
Good to know:
USR
For more information, bookings & schedule visit www.umgenisteamrailway.com
The Umgeni Steam Railway is run entirely by volunteers.
Easter April: Sat 16 @ 8.30am and 12.30pm / Sun 17 @ 8.30am and 12.30pm
Month end April: Sun 1 May @ 8.30am and 12.30pm
Woza Moya
@ Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust
26 Old Main Road, Hillcrest
Opening Hours:
Friday 15 April – Closed
Saturdays 16 April – 8am to 2pm
Easter Sunday – Closed
Monday 18 April – 8am – until 2pm..
Call us on: +27 31 765 5866
Find us on Facebook: wozamoyahactandfriends
PheZulu
Telephone: +27 31 777 1000
Email: info@phezulusafaripark.co.za
190 Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill
Open 8am to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday
Closed on Mondays, excluding Public Holidays
Décor Art
1 Warwickshire Cres
Botha’s Hill
Entrance on Main Road – opp Hilltop Centre
Tel 031 7655 632 / 083 3073 989 / 083 5045 053
Opening hours: Tues – Sun 9am til 5pm
Close Monday / Open most public holidays
There are some retail spaces still spaces available
Shongweni Market – Closed due to accessibility until further notice.
Find Shongweni Market at Lot 457, Mr551 Rd, Shongweni.
Sat 16 April: 6.30am until 12.20pm
Sun 17 April: 8am – 1pm
Visit: Shongweni Farmers’ and Craft Market – YouTube
Macnut Farm
13 Lello Road, Assagay.
Tel 031 7652572 / 074 460 30000
SPCA
Kloof and Highway SPCA
29 Village Rd, Kloof
