Hi, I’m Jonker Fourie (known online as Firefly) from Port Elizabeth Daily Photo in Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth IS BEST KNOWN FOR its friendly people, beautiful beaches and coastline, game reserves on our doorstep, diverse history and unfortunately… the wind, which isn’t anywhere as bad as people like to make it out to be.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT with a lion cub at Seaview Game and Lion Park or cheetah at Kragga Kamma Game Park.
THE BEST sunrise PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Shark Rocks Pier or on the Donkin Reserve.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT Sardinia Bay, Maitlands or around the historic buildings on the Donkin Heritage Trail. Check out PE Daily Photo for lots of happy snaps ideas.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO head out to Addo Elephant National Park or Kragga Kamma Game Park for some game viewing. Doing a short hiking trail is also a good idea.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO browse the shops in Walmer Park or Greenacres Shopping Centres (at a lack of a better answer than stay in and play my son’s PS2).
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS in autumn (March to June), BECAUSE the weather is stunning and there is very little wind.
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS with my gas bottle and skottel at sunrise on the beachfront teasing early morning walkers with mouth watering smells. Otherwise on one of the wooden access boardwalks on Lovers’ Lane across the road from the Protea Hotel Marine.
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Sacramento Restaurant in Schoenmakerskop after a walk on the Sacramento Trail.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Farriagers Restaurant at the Kelway Hotel, TRY THE Wild Africa Cream and chocolate chip cheesecake.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM my fridge but I don’t think the ladies at Weighless will approve me having a late night snack. Sorry, the Rugrats are still small and we don’t really get out late much. Saying the fridge beats saying the 24 hour Steers.
MY FAVOURITE ice cream SPOT IS the Red Windmill at Hobie Beach and walking on the pier licking away before it melts.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY one of the restaurants and eateries in Richmond Hill.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex on the beachfront.
Port Elizabeth’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS cruising on the Sundays River Ferry and disembarking near the river mouth before climbing to the top of the sand dunes for a magnificent view across Algoa Bay back towards the city.
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS to go and show them something around town that they haven’t been to.
FOR SOME LIVE MUSIC, I LIKE TO GO TO a Centrestage music performance.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO take a stroll along one of the hiking trails (natural or heritage) around town. I also like to explore the city’s historic cemeteries, but that’s just me.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY scuba diving one of the numerous dive sites around Algoa Bay or on the Wildside.
MY FAVOURITE DRIVE IS the Sunshine Saunter starting off along Marine Drive via Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay to Maitland.
MY FAVOURITE farm SHOP IS the Nanaga Farmstall for its awesome pies and roosterkoek.
MY FAVOURITE flower and bird WATCHING SPOT IS Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve or Fynbos Trail in Schoenies.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN early December, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the SA leg of the Rugby 7’s World Series or Ironman South Africa on the beachfront in April.
MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS the Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld. CHECK OUT THE dinosaur, shipwreck and marine exhibits.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS the old Public Library, FOR ITS beautiful facade, interior with lots of good childhood memories and stained glass windows.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS visiting the SAMREC penguin rehabilitation centre at Cape Recife.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS climbing the ginormous sand dune at Maitland River Mouth with a piece of hardboard or cardboard and sliding back down.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO spend a relaxing / romantic weekend at one of the private game reserves near Port Elizabeth *pop* — My bubble bursting.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS how surprised people are when they realise how much Port Elizabeth actually has to offer visitors.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS outside Port Elizabeth is camping at Sleepy Hollow, but because Port Elizabeth is such an ideally situated city, weekends away from the city can also be taken in the Tsitsikamma, St. Francis Bay, Jeffrey’s Bay, the Baviaanskloof, the majestic Karoo, the Sunshine Coast or even in the delightful village of Hogsback.
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I donate blood. Ok, so I’m not as involved in the community as I should be. A good option is to approach a local tour operator and support one of the township causes that they are involved in.
I Love Port Elizabeth BECAUSE it may be a city with all the big city amenities, but its still a town at heart. PE may not have big “must see” attractions but there are countless places, museums, galleries, nature reserves, beaches, historic attractions and more to discover and keep one busy for days at end.
Port Elizabeth Links
- Port Elizabeth Hotels
- Port Elizabeth Accommodation
- Port Elizabeth Attractions
- Things to Do in Port Elizabeth
- Eastern Cape Hotels
- Eastern Cape Accomodation
Desirable Digits
Seaview Lion Park: +27 (0)41 378-1702
Walmer Park Shopping Centre: +27 (0)41 368-2690
Greeacres Shopping Centre: +27 (0)41 363-0791
Sacramento Restaurant: +27 (0)41 366-2312
Kelway Hotel: +27 (0)41 584-0638
The Red Windmill: +27 (0)41 583-5316
Boardwalk Casino: +27 (0)41 507-7777
Sundays River Ferry: +27 (0)82 465-4391
Nanaga Farm Stall: +27 (0)41 468-0353
Van Staadens Wild Flower Reserve: +27 (0)41 956-0155 or +27 (0)41 508-7111
Port Elizabeth Museum: +27 (0)41 584-0650
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Hi Jonker! Thanks so much for sharing your insights about Port Elizabeth with us! What a fabulous visitorial.