Colchester

Read more about the article The historic Mackay Bridge over the Sundays River
Firefly the Travel Guy / Port Elizabeth Daily Photo

The historic Mackay Bridge over the Sundays River

Back in the early 1800s the first river crossing across the Sundays River going east from Algoa Bay was a drift situated near Addo. As traffic increased there was an urgent need for a more direct route as the route via Addo was a bit of a detour to Grahamstown and the Albany DistrictBy the mid-1800s the Colchester area was a very busy spot as it had the only punt over the Sundays River on this main route between Port…

Comments Off on The historic Mackay Bridge over the Sundays River
22/10/2022
Uncategorized

Discover the Sundays River Valley and Greater Addo route

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COrcRmcqGlI&w=500&h=400]The brand new destination promotion video for the Sundays River Valley and Greater Addo area have recently been released by Addo Tourism and ECTOUR showing how stunning this area right on Port Elizabeth's doorstep is.  It also illustrates what I'vebeen saying for a while now, that Addo is a fully fledged destination now and so much more than just elephants.  Please share it around on social media if you enjoy it.

Comments Off on Discover the Sundays River Valley and Greater Addo route
02/09/2016
Uncategorized

Lazy days on the Sundays River

Standing on the deck at Dungbeetle River Lodge on the Sundays River in Colchester, this is the view you have.  Ahhh, lazy days on the banks of the Sundays River. 

Comments Off on Lazy days on the Sundays River
05/06/2016
Uncategorized

Riverside breakfast

Late last week I had a meeting at Dungbeetle River Lodge on the Sundays River in Colchester.  The owners always have lekker snacks and lunch lined up when we have a meeting there and this time was no different.  Best of all, the weather was perfect and we could have our meeting on the deck overlooking the river.  Yes, that's the deck in the back of the picture with the river just below. 

Comments Off on Riverside breakfast
31/05/2016
Uncategorized

Spotlight on the Mackay Bridge

The Colchester area east of Port Elizabeth was a very busy spot in the mid 1800 and early 1900s, as it had the only pont over the Sundays River on the main road between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. The original pont was washed away in 1874 and a second one in 1875. A bridge was commissioned in 1884 and opened on 5th March 1895. It was called the Mackay Bidge, in honour of John Mackay who's efforts resulted in its…

1 Comment
14/11/2015
Uncategorized

Sand sledding at Colchester

The Sundays River Ferry recently launched the newest activity to add to the area's diverse mix of  things to do.  Sand Sledding.  Sand sledding is an easier option than sand boarding as you don't have to worry about keeping your balance or falling hard.  The experience starts with a cruise down the Sundays River on the ferry before hitting the dunes.  The boards are custom made and resembles snow sleds.  The instructor shows you exactly what to do and believe me,…

2 Comments
29/07/2015
Uncategorized

Colchester Dune view

A trip out to Colchester to try out the new Addo Sand Sledding experience meant that I had the opportunity to climb the dunes next to the Sundays River again to enjoy the magnificent view over the dunes and Algoa Bay towards Port Elizabeth.  I caught my friend Erenei snapping a couple of pics at the top and made him sit and hold his pose for a while for me to get a few pics of my own.  Always nice to…

1 Comment
06/07/2015
Uncategorized

Sundays River Mouth

We've all driven past the Sundays River at Colchester while on the N2, but have you ever wondered what the river mouth look like.  I can't say that I have actually been to the river mouth before, but I have seen it from the top of the dunes at Colchester.

3 Comments
02/07/2015
Uncategorized

Sundays River

The view from the top of the dunes at Colchester is amazing.  On the one side you look down on the Sundays River flowing down towards Algoa Bay while the view the other way is across Algoa Bay towards Port Elizabeth with St Croix Island in-between. The Sundays River is said to be the fastest flowing river in South Africa.  It was originally known as the Nukakamma (Grassy River) by the Khoisan because the river's banks are always green and grassy.  The river…

6 Comments
25/06/2015