Things to Do in Sunshine Coast

Full Stop Pub and Grill is a vibey watering hole where locals and visitors to Cape St Francis hang out, enjoy drinks, braai, grab a pizza or play pool. The pub has a pool table, big dance area, and a very big bar of course! Full Stop also has an outside area with lapa and braai facilites.

Established in 1907, the historic Royal Port Alfred Golf Club is situated on the Sunshine Coast in Port Alfred, half way between East London and Port Elizabeth. This charming and old-fashioned course has some quirky holes and pretty much preserves the atmosphere of the early 1900's in South Africa.One of the true links courses in South Africa, it is set on the rolling hills of Port Alfred, with plenty of indigenous bush, wildlife and wonderful sea views. The 18 hole course is 5 800 meters and has a unique layout, which, in true links tradition, tests your ability to read the elements as much as the course. A golfing experience not to be missed!

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the challenging St Francis Links Course is characterised by undulating terrain, greens and variation in length and direction. The consistent layout combines every element of shot making. The bunkers define the quality and character of this course, looking as if they have been ploughed out of the ground. The greens have simply been placed on top of the sand and follow the natural flow of the landscape. All players will find that St Francis Links present a stiff mental and physical test from the first shot. Facilities at St Francis Links include the Clubhouse, Lighthouse Restaurant, Jack’s Bar and Pro Shop. +27 (0) 42 2004500

Paradise Beach is a long sandy beach situated between Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay (7 km west of Jeffreys Bay and 7 km east of St Francis Bay). It’s actually a suburb of J-Bay but is relatively untouched by development. Surrounded by nature reserves and estuaries, you can often spot tiny buck, tortoises, numerous birds, rabbits, mongoose and otters – all much loved by locals. It’s an awesome place for windsurfers and kite boarders with good wind all year round. A not-yet-discovered windsurfing and kite surfing spot! Paradise Beach is one of the coastal towns where you are guaranteed to spend a relaxing day on a pristine white beach. The name explains it all – it really feels like paradise.

St Francis Bay's Friendly Supermarket offers a variety of freshly baked speciality breads, rolls, cakes and tarts as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. A selection of freshly made home meals and take aways are available on a daily basis.

Tee off with breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean. The Fish River Sun Country Club offers golfers a beautifully kept parkland type challenge along this stunning and pristine coastline. This Gary Player designed course is not easy with high vegetated dunes and dense coastal scrub flanking the fairways. There is also the Old Women's River to negotiate at the dramatic 12th hole. The river needs to be crossed twice, requiring good solid shots to the other side. The course design ensures that the exceptional natural features of the terrain were not compromised. The result is a course that takes the golfer on a seaside ramble that is extremely worthwhile no matter what the play is like. Situated next to the Kontiki Club House is the fully stocked Golf Shop. A limited number of golf carts are available that need to be booked in advance.

On the tip of Cape St Francis and sandwiched between a plethora of coastal holiday houses is the lovely Cape St Francis Nature Reserve. This sanctuary is not only rich in botanical and animal life; it offers unhindered views of the ocean. Here the endangered coastal dune forest and fynbos is preserved from further development, providing a home for bushbuck, grysbok, duiker, porcupine, bushpig, monkey, mongoose, caracal and otter. Twitchers will find plenty to tick off here with 200 bird species recorded. A delightful hiking trail leads to a superb viewpoint and it’s easy to lose yourself for many hours within the reserve. Bottlenose and common dolphins can often be seen surfing the breaks and southern right whales winter offshore during August to November.

This totally awesome trail begins in the stunning Alexandria forest at the park offices. The two Langebos Huts are the base huts for the trail and it is recommended that hikers stay at these huts the night before leaving for the first day. The huts are newly constructed huts, sleeping 6 people each. They are equipped with hot water showers, toilets, a stove, fridge and braai area.The first section of the hike travels through magical forest where ancient yellowwoods and spectacular coral trees can be seen. The "Waterboom" or "Lekkerboom" - a gigantic yellowwood named for the reservoir of water held at the base of its trunk - provides an interesting stop. After crossing the open fields of Perdevlei, the trail moves onto the beach where the stark sandy beach ecosystem and dramatic dune cliffs provide breathtaking scenery. Six kilometers of untouched coastline stretches out in front of the hiker. The dramatic cliffs of Woody Cape provide the hiker with two options, either walking along the boulder-strewn base of the cliffs (impassable at high tide) or climbing a log ladder to reach the top leading onto the dune fields Southern right whales can be seen just off shore in certain months and dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves. The wreck of the Nidaros - an old steamer - can be investigated, as well as the fascinating natural debris washed up by the sea.After a walk through aromatic coastal fynbos, hikers will find the Woody Cape hut nestled in thick coastal forest on top of the cliffs with a view of Bird Island in the distance. This hut has 12 beds with mattresses and rainwater tanks.On the second day the trail traverses sand dunes of the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere. Early morning offers hikers an opportunity to investigate the signs of animals, such as jackals, duikers and the endemic hairy-footed gerbil, left on the dunes from the previous night. Tall posts guide hikers through the shifting dune fields. Fascinating ancient middens sites, evidence of the strandloper people that wandered these shores, can also be seen. The last five kilometers of the trail winds again through indigenous forest, where Knsyna loeries paint the canopy. then into the Langvlakte valley where a chicory stack can be seen which was built in 1820's.Listen for the haunting calls of the rare tree dassie by night and awake to a chorus of birds in flitting through the forest canopy. Look out for trumpeter hornbills, ground hornbills, Knysna turaco, tree dassies and bushbuck.Need to know? Situated: Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park, departing from the offices near Alexandria.Length: Approx 36 km two day circular route of which the first day is 19.5km and the second day is 16.5 km. Estimated duration: 2 daysSuitable for: Those who want a challenging walk along the coastline. Hikers carry their own provisions and the hike is not guided.Logistics:Keys for the overnight huts are collected at the park offices near Alexandria. (Tel: +27 (0)46 653 061)Fees can be paid at Matyholweni rest camp or at the Addo main camp reception. At the Woody Cape hut, no fires are allowed and the hikers must carry their own cookers. Water at the Woody Cape hut is only for drinking and cooking as the hut relies entirely on rainwater.At least one or more of the hiking group should be able to read a map and compass, and to wear a brightly coloured jacket that can be seen from the air if a search and rescue is launched. The Langebos huts are available to hikers on the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, as well as those simply wanting an overnight stay in the forest. The 7km Dassie Day Trail begins at the huts and the breathtaking Woody Cape coastline of the Park is a short drive and walk away.

Wild Coast Horse Trails offer lovely rides on horseback along the beaches of Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay. Overnight horse trails along the Wild Coast start and are based at Sunray Farm. This experience is considered one of the most glorious horseback beach riding holidays in the world! Book your riding holiday at Sunray Farm and Guest Lodge.

Enjoy an ultimate safari experience on the Sunshine Coast in the malaria-free Kariega Game Reserve. Situated near the ever-popular Garden Route, this family-owned and operated private reserve spans 9 000 hectares of pristine Eastern Cape wilderness encompassing the stunning Kariega and Bushman's Rivers. Awesome Big-5 viewing along with an extensive diversity of fauna, flora and birdlife in five different eco-systems offers an authentic and unforgettable African encounter. Along with lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and white rhino, other wildlife you are likely to spot include hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, Nyala, kudu, warthog and a variety of other antelope. Over 280 species of birds have been recorded including Martial, Crowned and Fish Eagles which nest on the reserve.

Only a surfer truly knows the feeling! If you’re in ‘J-Bay’ to catch the tubes or even if you’ve never tried surfing, the Quicksilver Store on De Gama Road is worth a visit. It is home to the highly informative Jeffrey’s Bay Surf Museum which tells the story of how surfing started in J-Bay and how the town has developed over the past 50 years. There are many reasons why this surf-driven town just had to have a surf museum. Essentially, Jeffrey’s Bay is one of the top surfing destinations on the planet. Supertubes, the famous point break right-hander, is the dream destination of every young surfer – the perfect wave often accompanied by dolphins. J-Bay is the place where the top 44 international surfers compete every year for the WCT world contest surfing tour. Along with local lore, the museum also documents the history of surfing globally and pays tribute to many pioneers and legends. Walk through this museum and feel the magic that exists between the surfer and the ocean. Entrance to the museum is free! Open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00, Saturday 09:00 – 14:00 and Sunday 09:00 – 13:00. +27 (0) 84 240 1741

Situated just 25 kilometres from the Port Elizabeth beachfront and associated attractions, Seaview Game and Lion Park offers a unique experience. Visitors can play with tame lion cubs varying in age from four to nine months depending on the time of year. Along with this rare interaction, guests can have a close-up viewing experience of wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, antelope, jackals and wildebeest in their natural habitat. Lynx, warthogs and meerkat live in large, individual enclosures in the sanctuary area. Enjoy lunch or afternoon tea in the restaurant taking in the panoramic views of the wildlife to the north and ocean to the south. Whales and dolphins can often be spotted from this vantage point. From the restaurant there is an elevated boardwalk where you can view the animals at close quarters. Open daily 08:00 – 17:00 Lion feeding time is on Sunday at 12:00 +27 (0) 41 378 1702

Woody Cape Nature Reserve is now incorporated into the Greater Addo Elephant National Park.Listen for the haunting calls of the rare tree dassie by night and awake to a chorus of birds in flitting through the forest canopy. The Langebos huts are available to hikers on the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, as well as those simply wanting an overnight stay in the forest. The 7km Dassie Day Trail begins at the huts and the breathtaking Woody Cape coastline of the Park is a short drive and walk away.5 Things to Seek1. Trumpeter hornbill2. Ground hornbill3. Knysna turaco4. Tree dassie5. BushbuckContact MatyholweniTel: +27(0)41 4680916/8Fax: +27(0)41 4680949Email: matyholweni@sanparks.orgRanger at Woody Cape – Tel: +27(0)46 6530601