East London Information and Tourist Attractions
East London Information
East London, also known as Buffalo city is situated on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast in the Eastern Cape. The Sunshine Coast is renowned for its many kilometers of beautiful un polluted and un crowded beaches. In 1847 Fort Glamorgan a british fort was built to protect the vital river port and it is around this that East London was founded. East London is South Africa’s only river port city situated on the Buffalo River.
East London is a holiday destination for the whole family. Renowned for its long stretches of beautiful beaches. With the mild climate and warm waters, swimming, surfing, sailing and water skiing are enjoyed year round.
East London offers varied tourist attractions, the natural history museum is home to the only dodo egg in existence as well as an impressive exhibit of the coelacanth, a visit to Bonza Bay with its massive sand dunes will give you a day of sandboarding not to be missed, Queens Park Zoo and the Lion Park offer hours of pleasant animal viewing and relax strolling through the magnificent botanical gardens. When the sun goes down the city comes alive with a selection of cinemas, theatres, clubs and restaurants.
Tourists have a good choice of accommodation options from hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Guest Houses, Self Catering and much more.
Climate
East London has a sub-tropical climate receiving it’s rainfall during the summer months from December to February. Average daytime temperatures range from 20”C in July to 26”C in February. More information
Places of Interest
East London Aquarium
Situated on the South East coast of South Africa is the City of East London. The East London Aquarium was officially opened on the 2nd of December 1931, which makes it the oldest public aquarium in the country. This is not a big aquarium, but some unique displays make it a must to see. The aquarium plays an active role in conserving the coastline and the estuaries in the East London area. More Information
East London City Hall
The foundation stone of the East London City Hall was laid in 1897. The clock tower commemorates the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. The marble for the imposing staircase built in the Victorian Renaissance style was imported from Italy.
East London Museum
The East London Natural History gallery features the original coelacanth - a prehistoric fish that has lived in the Indian Ocean for 400 million years, thought to be extinct until it was re-discovered in 1938. It also serves as the home of the world's only surviving Dodo egg and a reconstruction of the flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius.
Guild Theatre
The East London Guild Theatre is a dynamic playhouse facility, producing and presenting performing arts in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape. The Guild has been home to some of South Africa’s leading artists, emerging local performers, as well as several international acts, since 1962. In meeting the very pressing and widespread decline in performing arts education in East London schools, the Guild is actively engaged in facilitating arts education opportunities for youth from previously disadvantaged communities. Further, the Guild is aggressively nurturing new audiences and creating access to theatre experiences for the diverse communities which reside in the southern Eastern Cape. More Information
Hemmingway Casino Complex
Hemingway’s casino, an exclusive and charming casino neatly situated on the corner of Western Avenue and Two Rivers Drive in East London. Think of it as Key West meets East London with a touch of grandiose inspired Ernest Hemingway. On offer at Hemingway’s is an array of family friendly activities in conjunction with a first class casino. The casino is spacious and secure and is coupled with efficient service by Hemingway’s well trained staff.
East London Golf Club
Dating back to 1893, East London Golf Club is one of South Africa's oldest courses. Set in high dunes and surrounded by typical Cape coastal vegetation, this 18-hole golf course is challenging. Be careful not to be distracted by the spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the beachfront
Queens Park Zoo
If you’re visiting East London with your children in tow, take a trip to the Queens Park Zoo and Gardens. This small but fascinating zoo houses a variety of animals to keep children and adults of all ages occupied for hours. Whether your children prefer reptiles, fish, birds or mammals, they’ll find something they like at the Queens Park Zoo. What’s more, the entry fee is kept as low as possible and so the outing is affordable for the whole family. More Information
East London Coast Nature Reserve
A stretch of coast that extends from the Great Kei River in the north east all the way to the Tylomnqa River in the south west. Between these two rivers lies over 3 000 hectares of conservation area made up of ten coastal reserves and two inland state forests, known collectively as the East London Coast Nature Reserve
