The fashionable suburb of Athlone Park falls under the Pietermaritzburg municipality but is a mere 10km from the outlying urban sprawl of Durban, on the east coast of South Africa.
Rather than reside in a big city, many Athlone Park residents commute daily to their workplaces in Durban, while upcountry visitors have recognised the appeal of the place and invested in a holiday home or lockup-and-go apartment in the suburb.
Athlone Park enjoys a host of amenities, a hospital, several schools, a country club and a lengthy strip of attractive coastline. The climate is warm and inviting, ideal for a beach holiday, and for a lively late night club scene, Athlone Park is sandwiched between two large cities packed with choices.
Top 6 reasons to visit Athlone Park
1. Work on that tan under the hot African sun and cool off in the warm Indian Ocean on Athlone Park’s pleasant beaches. Watch as dolphin schools and whale pods travel along the coast.
2. For a super-fun family outing, visit Galleria Arbour Town, a mall comprising 87000m² of retail shopping, a games arcade, over 30 restaurants and 11 movie theatres.
3. Take a walk through the Umbogovango Nature Reserve to follow the river course along wooded paths mapped out in the reserve. The onsite Environmental Resource Centre has a great deal of information regarding the animal and bird life.
4. Not only is the 18-hole golf course at Amanzimtoti Country Club simply delightful, it’s also a nature conservancy. The tee box at the 18th hole is right on the beach. Be sure to keep your drives on the fairways!
5. Many of the birds are so tame at the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary that they may follow you for a handout. Be sure to take along a few slices of bread and have your camera ready. The sanctuary is laid out through a small forest with a number of water features and grassed areas along the paths.
6. They grow the stuff nearby so why not travel into Durban to experience the city’s buzzing coffee culture? From the cafés in Glenwood’s lively streets to the holiday hotels of Umhlanga, there is a barista out there brewing a cup of coffee to suit everyone’s caffeine needs.
Transport
The nearest airport is King Shaka International Airport, 55km from Athlone Park. A few car rental agencies are based in the suburb and at King Shaka airport to hire a vehicle, or you could order a rental online. Metered taxi companies and shuttle service operators are located in Amanzimtoti.
Did you know?
Dick King became a hero in 1842 when he rode for 10 days to warn the British of an impending Boer attack in KwaZulu-Natal. His old, restored home is located in neighbouring Isipingo, now occupied by the Traffic Department.
The area in which Athlone Park is located is called the Sapphire Coast, the shades of the sea and sky constantly changing from a pale blue to rich, darker cobalt tones.
