Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
0 Shopping Cart
Tag

Dolphin Coast

Browsing
3 Mins Read

I love the Dolphin Coast – and it’s perfect for family holidays

I love the North Coast! It is my other home. My parents brought us here after my matric year – and I’ve been back so many times since. Even crazier than that, my husband briefly went to school here and used to surf the waves down on Willards.

When we bought a place out here we never could’ve dreamt just how this place would become our little hideaway home. At first it buying a place here was so we didn’t have to check out early from a hotel then it became about bringing my cat, Genie. It also just happened to be the perfect place to wait for the births of our 2 daughters and finally now it is a place for our little family.

We feel like locals. We have our favourite spots like Burnedale, Sage and Litchi Orchard. We always eat bunnychows from the Sasol in Salt Rock, donuts from the new Checkers at Mt Richmore and go to Mica every single week we are here. We love the revamp of Ballito Lifestyle and the shiny new mall down the road. We still haven’t been to the Railroad Brewery down the road and we always say we want to visit more spots but somehow when we’re here we end up on the beach or the old familiar places.

The best thing about the Dolphin Coast… dolphin sightings duh!

What to do in Ballito and Salt Rock with kids

Sage Centre

I think I love Sage Centre a little more each time we go – even if Tsonga is no longer there. The little shops are stocked with South African made products – offering such temptations for my wallet. A huge plus of this place is the play park… that you can see from your table at Sage Cafe & Deli.

My favourite shop definitely is Willow and Ruby. Maybe I’m a little biased because they stock IY Apparel bags or maybe it’s the gorgeous jewellery…

Burnedale Farm

We visit Burnedale during every stay. This place has one major attraction for kids that we love… the donkeys! Lexa loves spending time with them and then I get snap happy.

Burnedale is also home to Natural Living, one of my favourite shops. I won’t spoil it, but it’s something between treasure island and heaven when you’re in the shop.

Another not to be missed eatery that is family friendly is Burnedale Cafe but you can also pop into another little gem for a slice of cake and coffee called The Meeting Place.

There are so much more you can do in Ballito and Salt Rock with kids…

  • Flag Animal Farm
  • Litchi Orchard… especially when they have litchi picking season
  • The Great Railroad Brewing Company / Ballito Brewing Company

by
Keep Reading
4 Mins Read

Salt Rock like a local

It was a whirlwind romance with the sea that made us buy a “huisie by die see” and that irritating check out by 10am thing at the hotel. Now here we are, 5 years later…

We feel like locals. We’ve seen Ballito and Salt Rock expand, new shopping centres built, found our favourite eateries and places to spend time away from the beach – and somehow we’ve managed to get to know a few neighbours.

…and I love to tell people about the amazing places around Salt Rock/Sheffield Beach that we frequent when we are home.

Sasol Garage for a Bunny Chow

I don’t have a tolerance for Durban curry, but once per visit we will stop at the Sasol garage and get our Bunnies. I love the chicken and hubby has the lamb. The best place to eat them is on the beach (no jokes).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY0fExlgqhQ/?tagged=sasolgaragebunny

Burnedale Farm

A little slice of farm heaven. You can have your nails done, do shopping and have a bite at Burnedale. All independent stores, all local – and I have to give a special shout-out to Find The Stoke (surf shop). Be sure to check out the pottery shop and One of a Kind.

Bonus, there are a few farm animals to look at and a play area for the kids.

Litchi Orchard

Spoiler, the food here is amazing! Get your ice cream from Scoop, lunch at Delish Sisters and coffee next door… You can also do a bit of shopping here.

They have night markets with live entertainment at the Litchi Orchard – just check their Facebook page.

In December you can get your freshly picked litchis right here.

Sage Centre

One of my favourite places… You will easily think you got lost in an upmarket Jozi suburb, because the shops at Sage Centre is just amazing. Get gifts, baked goods, décor and your Tsonga fix!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcr-b5fgO6F/?taken-by=sagecentre

Before the big revamp Sage was an OK place to go to, but now it really is a jewel on the North Coast.

Flag Animal Farm

This is a must-visit if you have kids. The animal farm is really neat and kids love it. Lexa wasn’t yet ready for the (barrage of) animals, but when we go down (soon again) she will be treated to a day at Flag Animal Farm.

 

Chow down

Tiffany’s Shopping Centre is our local place and here you will find a number of small eateries. My favourite is Jack Salmon. For a quick takeaway Zebro’s fish and chips is always a winner.

For some odd reason my husband loves eisbein and one of the best places to get this and a traditional German meal is at Siggi’s. They have been there for as long as I can remember and I’ve been going that side for a really long time.

Just outside Salt Rock and Ballito you will find The Great Railroad Brewing Company (8 minutes from Tiffany’s). They produce 8 types of beer and you can also get them from a number of stores in the area (and further afield).

If you venture into Ballito with the holiday crowds, go to the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. The centre had a major revamp recently and the restaurants here are to die for – don’t even get me started on The Market!

The beaches…

Salt Rock main beach is one of my favourites, but it isn’t really toddler-friendly. We are now visiting Granny’s Pool – and yes, there are always plenty of kids – this rock pool is by Siggi’s German Restaurant, you cannot miss the parking.

Sheffield Beach is OK, but not the best swimming beach if you like to really get in there – plus, no lifeguard.

We have driven up to Tinley Manor once to check out the beaches, but I can definitely say that Salt Rock is the best beach with very few rocks.

So that is it, next time you go to the Dolphin Coast check out these lovely places and let me know what you think.

by
Keep Reading