Hi, we are booked up for an appartment in Umhlanga Rocks, we have also hired a car but don't really want to drive into Durban on match days as we'd like to have a few drinks.

Will there be safe/regular public transport from Umhlanga to the stadium and back?

Also, I've heard that you can't use a credit/debit card when buying fuel is that correct?

Finally, are cash machines readily available and will the accept uk bank cards.

Thanks for any help, much appreciated, would also be keen on any info/photos of the umhlanga area

There will be constant shuttles from the seaside area of umhlanga to the ridge area of umhlanga, which are about 3Km apart. Buses will be leaving gateway centre on the ridge to Dbn at regular intervals throughout the day. I am sure that there will be other transport facilities from the village to Dbn, but I'll have to look it up.

currently you cannot use your credit card to pay for fuel in south africa, but amendments to this law are currently being made, but i am not certain if they will be in place by the world cup. You can however use your debit card to pay for fuel.

atm's are everywhere, and u really will not struggle to find one.

Hey cairngorm

Umhlanga Rocks is beautiful, you'll love it.

Transport: The thing to do if you want a few drinks etc is to get a taxi (private) which should cost you between R200 and R300 to get into Durban (16 - 25 pounds). Just like the U.K., theres numbers that you can call to get the service. There will prbably be lots of shuttles from the town itself into durban as dysan said, and you'll probably be told where to go and what to do at information centres or hotels, but im guessing it'll probably be prett easy.

Petrol: you just have to go inside like in the U.K. with your debit card, but its best to have cash. its not self service, and therell be a guy there to put the fuel in, you can tip him a few rands but you dont have to.

Finally, There are plenty of credit card machines everywhere, and they will accept most cards. and just like in the uk they are usually in malls or main roads.

S.A. is alot more advanced than you might think in the main areas, and its just like the U.K. in terms in services etc.

Im sure someone else from Durban will give you more info and photos if you need. enjoy sa

Hey cairngorm

Umhlanga Rocks is beautiful, you'll love it.

Transport: The thing to do if you want a few drinks etc is to get a taxi (private) which should cost you between R200 and R300 to get into Durban (16 - 25 pounds). Just like the U.K., theres numbers that you can call to get the service. There will prbably be lots of shuttles from the town itself into durban as dysan said, and you'll probably be told where to go and what to do at information centres or hotels, but im guessing it'll probably be prett easy.

Petrol: you just have to go inside like in the U.K. with your debit card, but its best to have cash. its not self service, and therell be a guy there to put the fuel in, you can tip him a few rands but you dont have to.

Finally, There are plenty of credit card machines everywhere, and they will accept most cards. and just like in the uk they are usually in malls or main roads.

S.A. is alot more advanced than you might think in the main areas, and its just like the U.K. in terms in services etc.

Im sure someone else from Durban will give you more info and photos if you need. enjoy sa

Thanks guys, I lived in SA from 1980-85 I was 20yrs old when I moved there and visited Durban four times, I really can't wait to get back, our place is opposite the main bronze bathing beach and very close to a nature reserve, do you know the area? is there plenty to do locally?

^^ ah so youve lived in SA before . Where did you live? I have lived in Umhlanga rocks and it is beautiful! I stayed there last year and had a great time (as its right on the beach and durban is close and im a surfer) so it was great. let me know where you're staying and i will let you know more about the area.

I live in umhlanga, so whatever info u want i'm sure i can help. Bars, restaurants, things to see and do? I'll dig up loads of pics too

I live in umhlanga, so whatever info u want i'm sure i can help. Bars, restaurants, things to see and do? I'll dig up loads of pics too

You have a PM dysan1

I live in umhlanga, so whatever info u want i'm sure i can help. Bars, restaurants, things to see and do? I'll dig up loads of pics too

....coupons to hooters..

Heya Cairngorm, just thought I'd give you a bit more info regarding your debit cards - SA's only recently introduced the chip-and-pin system here in the last two years, so most of the debit cards locally only have a magnetic strip rather than also having a chip. This means that at the moment, some of the older debit card machines do have issues with chip-and-pin cards. If your debit card is a regular magnetic strip card you'll be fine, if it has chip-and-pin you may prefer to just draw money from an ATM (Hole-in-the-wall), they're also widespread and usually found at most petrol stations.

Umhlanga is a beautiful area, you're sure to love it! And it's in close proximity to the new international airport.

I have chip and pin and have never had a problem anywhere

I'm ABSA and I haven't either, but the Standard Bank ones keep having problems - two of my mates, and an aunt are having problems with them.

Thanks guys, please keep the info coming. Dysan, I'm desperate to see the photo's of the area :)

lol i am Standard Bank and no problems...

here's a whole bunch from flickr of the "village" and beach part of Umhlanga

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/2418527438_a1869a0cc9.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/3973777615_855b7f69ab.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3912887436_73147d43a9.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3912104391_75abe88e3f.jpg


In this one you can even see the stadium and Durban from Umhlanga

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3912662676_3b0250a841_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3912318110_4a8ab2a3e8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/3912319038_59cd08acdb_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3836791948_cf79d45a45.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/3911533305_aebe6b3545_b.jpg

For more info on the area around Gateway in Umhlanga read the thread below!!!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=251909&page=26

That pic of the lighthouse with the downtown skyline and stadium is priceless.

I realise I'm late to the discussion, but...

Regarding petrol, carry cash. Although new systems will be in place to allow you to pay with plastic, cash is always convenient. And the pump attendants will appreciate a tip. Some of them do fantastic work cleaning your windscreen, and it's a shame when I don't have a few bucks to hand them at the end.

Umhlanga has plenty to do.

Umhlanga Rocks village has several bars, cafes & restaurants.

Of course there's the beach. Crowds decrease with distance from the lighthouse. Except that at Bronze Beach (a few hundred metres north of the lighthouse) crowds thicken on weekends, but it is never as busy as the Main Beach (immediately north of the lighthouse). The Nature Reserve is adjacent to the lagoon, which is also accessible from the beach by walking north from Bronze Beach. (Warning, sometimes the lagoon is used as a nudist beach by old men!)

On the hill above Umhlanga Rocks is the shopping mall and new town centre. Again, plenty of cafes, restaurants, etc. Cinemas, shopping, you name it.

Do you know if your accommodation is on Bronze Beach or if it is across Lagoon Drive from the beach?

I realise I'm late to the discussion, but...

Regarding petrol, carry cash. Although new systems will be in place to allow you to pay with plastic, cash is always convenient. And the pump attendants will appreciate a tip. Some of them do fantastic work cleaning your windscreen, and it's a shame when I don't have a few bucks to hand them at the end.

Umhlanga has plenty to do.

Umhlanga Rocks village has several bars, cafes & restaurants.

Of course there's the beach. Crowds decrease with distance from the lighthouse. Except that at Bronze Beach (a few hundred metres north of the lighthouse) crowds thicken on weekends, but it is never as busy as the Main Beach (immediately north of the lighthouse). The Nature Reserve is adjacent to the lagoon, which is also accessible from the beach by walking north from Bronze Beach. (Warning, sometimes the lagoon is used as a nudist beach by old men!)

On the hill above Umhlanga Rocks is the shopping mall and new town centre. Again, plenty of cafes, restaurants, etc. Cinemas, shopping, you name it.

Do you know if your accommodation is on Bronze Beach or if it is across Lagoon Drive from the beach?

Thanks for the info, my accommodation is at the junction of lagoon drive and newlands drive directly opposite breakers resort

(Warning, sometimes the lagoon is used as a nudist beach by old men!)


noted, never go to the lagoon in Umhlanga.....ever

Thanks for the info, my accommodation is at the junction of lagoon drive and newlands drive directly opposite breakers resort

You'll have very easy access to the nature reserve then.

Allow yourself about 15-20 minutes to walk to the centre of the village. Lagoon Drive is the direct route, but the beachfront promenade is more interesting though more crowded.

You'll have a great time. Enjoy!

noted, never go to the lagoon in Umhlanga.....ever

Coward! What's so scary about a 65-year old pensioner from Berlin showing off what god gave him? :eek2:

noted, never go to the lagoon in Umhlanga.....ever

haha its really not that bad

Some shots of the village from Pule. its packed with bars, restaurants and cafes. and a few more are opening in the next few weeks in time for the season. Lol, oh and so is Hooters

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190459.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190462.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190460.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190458.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190464.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190463.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190450.jpg

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/P_Sy/P1190454.jpg

^^

Hooters, how awful guess Hustler are in the making, what next.

PD.

^^ clearly you have no clue what it is about as a brand and offering. Do some reading mate

^^

Hooters, how awful guess Hustler are in the making, what next.

PD.

Hey be nice, dont you know what we got planned for you at the Durban meet?

Looking for some more help guys, we are looking to book some golf during our trip but would need to rent clubs. I understand mount edgecombe is close buy and rent clubs but I can't find a web site to book tee times.

Are there any other clubs around that rent clubs and would allow us to book online?

^^ hi there. here http://www.mountedgecombe.com/Bookings.aspx you can book the golf range. By the way i'm not sure if it work. you can email them by contact us :) Enjoy :)

^^ hi there. here http://www.mountedgecombe.com/Bookings.aspx you can book the golf range. By the way i'm not sure if it work. you can email them by contact us :) Enjoy :)

Cheers Sharksboy, I tried that link but the page is under construction, I also tried to contact them via the link but after two weeks I's still had no reply.

I've never tried to hire clubs, so I can't speak to that.

But if you have difficulty with Mt. Edgecombe, try Umhlali (http://www.umhlalicountryclub.co.za/index.php)or Prince's Grant (http://www.princesgrant.co.za/), both located north of Umhlanga.

Getting a tee time at neither has never been much of an issue if you're willing to be a little flexible. Although during World Cup time, who knows.

The durban country club beachwood course is also close by. They do club rentals too

^^ Mike, not to get too far off topic, but...
Do you know if the DCC's main course and clubhouse will have any increased access restrictions or decreased operating hours during the World Cup period?

Beachwood is great, also another great course is the Papwa Sewgolum Golf Club in Reservior Hills, not sure if Royal Durban rents out clubs but heres a website with all the golf courses in the KZN area, some have websites.

http://www.southafrica.info/about/sport/923102.htm

I got a cousin who is a golf consultant too, so if you have any questions regarding the matter, you can email me & I'll forward it to her.

Great help again guys thanks.

I got in touch with someone from the Durban Country Club and she has noted my interest and dates although booking doesn't open till Feb 2010. She said there will be some restrictions and prices have still to be set (which means we will be paying at least double the usual) she has also said she will reserve clubs for me if I wish.

So that's me fixed up
Tickets for 5 x Games all in Durban
Acc in Umhlanga
Flights GLA - LHR - JNB then Kulula to Durban
Car hire
2 x Golf days

Can't wait, roll on the draw in 4 x weeks.

^^ Enjoy!
Will you be playing the main DCC course, or Beachwood? I've never played Beachwood, but the DCC main course is a gem. The undulating fairways are spectacular. And the way the ocean pops in and out of view is fabulous. Oh yeah, the golf ain't bad either! :lol: It's a challenging course, and a great walk.

lol, good to hear cairngorm, should be fun!