There is a joyous abundance of public holidays loading – with long weekends over the next four consecutive weeks. Consider a family holiday, long weekend or even a day trip to the ruggedly beautiful 1000 Hills – halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on the N3. This time of year, temperate weather is cooler than the humidity of the coast, and warmer than the autumn chill of inland.
Here are just a few of the reasons why you should Hop to the Hills this Easter.
Plan your diary
We have heaps to offer right here on our doorstep: great food options; outdoor activities (such as putt-putt, golf, hiking, biking, horse riding, quad biking); galleries and cultural attractions; the great outdoors; animal farms (with bunnies) and plenty of retail options and markets – including the recently opened Westown precinct. 1000 Hills is geographically well placed to be in easy reach of countless fun and affordable attractions, accommodation options and destinations: from Berg to Bush to Beach.
Have a sleep over
There is something soothing and restful about staying over where it is cool and quiet, without having to travel too far. To find the perfect place to stay for your getaway check out our accommodation listings in the Valley of a 1000 Hills; all situated in the Kloof / Hillcrest / Botha’s Hill area.
The listings reflect all our members who are ready to make your stay in the Valley of a 1000 Hills a memorable one!
The Easter Bunny will be visiting SPCA
Easter Family Fun at the Kloof and Highway SPCA. Saturday 19 April – 8am until 3pm. 1000 Hills Community Tourism Organisation is supporting the Kloof and Highway SPCA in an event packed morning of Easter family fun on Saturday 19 April. There will be a full programme of fun and games on the main stage, with an Easter egg hunt at 9.30 for 10am. Singer Belinda Dolphin will be in the gazebo from 11.30am onwards.
The Easter eggs for the children have been donated by 1000 Hills Community Tourism Organisation. There will also be an Easter bonnet parade. All the Village Green shops, Ella Bella boutique, Fine Feathers and the Tea Garden will be open. All these fundraising activities raise much needed monies that go towards fulfilling The Kloof and Highway SPCA mandate of preventing animal cruelty.
Look out for the Bunny on a Train.
- Umgeni Steam Railway Easter Train Trips
- Inchanga Station: Sat 19 April & Sun 20 April & Sun 27
- April – 9am, 11.30am and 2pm
Looking for something fun to do with the family over the Easter holidays? Why not take a trip behind an old Steam Engine as we meander along the Valley of 1000 Hills. The Easter bunny will be on the three trains on Sunday 20 April. This roughly 75 minutes trip departs from Inchanga Railway Station, meandering along the rolling hills of KZN, through one of the oldest operating tunnels in South Africa, with the sights of the Valley of 1000 Hills in the distance, before turning around at Botha’s Hill
for the return to Inchanga.
Before or after your trip, you can browse through the Inchanga Station Craft Market where there are various treasures on sale, food to suit most tastes & activities for the whole family. Visit the Inchanga Railway Museum situated in the Old Station Master’s House or find Thomas & Friends in the Modeller’s Shed on the platform.
- Ensure you bring cash or use Zapper as there are no card facilities nor ATMS.
- Arrive half an hour prior to departure to collect your tickets.
- Book & pay within 48 hours to guarantee seats – spaces limited!
- For more information & bookings visit -the website.
Rugby in the Hills: Kearsney Rugby Festival
Kearsney Easter Rugby Tournament: 17, 19 and 21 April
One of the highlights of the 1000 Hills sporting calendar is the 16 th edition of the annual three-day Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) taking place at Kearsney on Thursday 17, Saturday 19 and Monday 21.
A highlight on the calendars of local rugby spectators, the festival always entertains with competitive, well-matched teams which produce fast-paced rugby and a display of uninhibited passion with an exciting mix of styles.
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, with 28 participating teams, including 12 boys’ high sides, 12 primary school teams and, for the first time, a girls’ high school category.
All games will be live-streamed via YouTube on the SuperSport Schools app. Full and up-to-date festival news, team information, fixtures, results and match reports will be available on the college website or from the Kearsney College Events app which can be downloaded from Google Play or iStore. Tickets online through Quicket. Alternatively, they can be purchased on the day from the Kearsney College Road gate. Spectators are urged to pay by card or SnapScan. Entry is R45 per person and children
under six are free
Nature Hunt at Macnut Farm
- Macnut Farm: 20 April 9am until 4pm
The glorious Macnut Farm in the heart of 1000 Hills, in Lello Road, Assagay will be hosting a treasure hunt style Nature Hunt to support Assagay Conservancy and Assagay Neighbourhood Watch. Participants will be given an easy-to-follow check list of things to find in nature. At the end of the trail and on completion of the list, participants will be rewarded with an Easter egg! Bring your picnic basket, there will be a cash bar available, and enjoy the magnificent grounds of Macnut Farm. There is a nominal charge of adults R50 and children R25.
Easter comes to Shongweni Market
Upon a hill in the Shongweni Valley, midst the sugarcane fields, overlooking the majestic Kirk Falls is the Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market. Local traders sell everything from fresh produce, deli, food, crafts and art. There is a great view, and plenty to keep everyone occupied – and the market is pet friendly too. There will be special Easter themed markets over the holiday season;
- Saturday 19 and Sunday 20
- April and on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April, from 7am until 1pm.
- There will be an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 20 April on the main stage at 9am – with prizes for the best dressed. (there is no charge for the Easter Egg Hunt)
- For more information visit the Shongweni Farmers Market website.