TC Robertson Nature Reserve

29/05/2026

Big shout out to Mr & Mrs Hampson for hosting your family day with us at TC Robertson Nature Reserve and The Café at TC Roberson
Thank you for your unconditional support.

29/05/2026

TC Robertson Nature Reserve Scottburgh will be open for picnics and braais.

29/05/2026

Did you know?

DURING the Rinderpest epidemic in the 1890s, local tribesmen were encouraged to take their cattle to the hill above Scottburgh where they were placed in quarantine and inoculated against the disease by George Joseph Crookes who had obtained the serum from the government.

All cattle that succumbed to the disease were also buried there and because of this the area became known as “Rinderpest Hill”.

As there were no hospital facilities between Durban and Port Shepstone except for small dressing stations on each of the estates and a small hospital at Esperanza run by the Indian Immigration Department, there was a dire need for a hospital to serve the area.

In 1936, George Joseph Crookes offered to build and equip a hospital in Scottburgh, an offer described as” the most generous ever made by an individual”.

In August that year, the Scottburgh Health Committee, with the consent of the Natal Provincial Administration, granted the town the 10 acres on Rinderpest Hill for the hospital.

The entire hospital project cost £536 000 which included a fully equipped hospital, furnished nurses’ quarters, mortuary and borehole.

It was agreed to build the hospital two wings – the white wing which catered for 15 general patients and five maternity patients and the double story black wing would accommodate 35-40 patients with special provision for 10 female patients.

The hospital, known back then as Renishaw Hospital, was officially opened on December 16, 1939 by Senator CF Clarkson, Minister of Posts and Telegraphs.

The name changed to GJ Crookes Hospital in 1949 to avoid confusion with the Renishaw Estate Hospital near the old mill.

24/05/2026

Thank you Megan for the kind words.

Good morning. Just want to say a big thank you to you and team for an unbelievable waffle buffet yesterday!!! It was absolutely out of this world. The guests all absolutely loved it, and even messaged me after the function to say how awesome the food was. Absolutely spoilt for choice indeed...I would highly recommend the waffle buffet (sweet and savoury) for any occasion young or old. We celebrated a 70th birthday and it was a hit!!! Thank you Gerda and TC Cafe for making my mom's bday celebration extra special at TC ❤️

12/05/2026

Wednesday is Mongoose Teagarden Day

Escape the rush and join us for a peaceful morning in nature at TC Robertson Nature Reserve

☕ Fresh coffee or tea
🍪 3 delicious freshly baked treats
🌸 Beautiful surroundings & good company

🗓 Date: Tomorrow
⏰ Time: 09:00 – 12:00
💰 Cost: R60 per person
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring your friends & family – everyone is welcome!

📌 Please note: Booking is essential for groups of 10 or more
📞 Contact Gerda: 082 622 7699
✨ Come relax, unwind, and enjoy a morning of simple pleasures in nature

12/05/2026

Did you know?

The Scottburgh mini train — often called the Scottburgh Miniature Railway — was one of the South Coast’s best-loved holiday attractions for decades. Although detailed official records are scarce, local memories, railway heritage archives, and photographs help piece together its story.

The Scottburgh Miniature Railway
The miniature railway operated near the beachfront and caravan park area in Scottburgh, becoming a major attraction for holidaymakers visiting the South Coast during the 1950s through to the late 20th century. Families camping at the famous Scottburgh Caravan Park often rode the train between the beachfront attractions and holiday facilities.

Steam beginnings
The original miniature railway used a small steam locomotive. Historic photographs from the 1950s show passengers riding behind the steam engine, and railway enthusiast Sylvia Hedgecock was photographed operating the locomotive in 1956.
Later, the railway switched from steam power to diesel locomotives, which was common for miniature railways because diesel engines required less maintenance and staffing.

A South Coast holiday icon
During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the mini train became part of the classic Scottburgh holiday experience alongside:
the caravan park
putt-putt course
trampolines
beach promenade
Supertubes water slides
beachfront Wimpy restaurant

Many South Africans who holidayed in Scottburgh still remember riding the train as children. Reddit discussions about old Scottburgh attractions frequently mention the “little train” with strong nostalgia.

What happened to it?
The railway eventually disappeared, though the exact closure date is unclear. According to local recollections:
parts of the track were damaged or washed away by the sea
coastal erosion and storms affected beachfront infrastructure
maintenance costs likely became too high
tourism patterns on the South Coast changed over time.

The original steam locomotive reportedly ended up on a private garden railway in Hillcrest after the Scottburgh railway closed.

Interesting facts about Scottburgh itself
Scottburgh was founded in 1860 and named after Sir John Scott, Lieutenant-Governor of Natal.
It was the first township established south of Durban.
The area became important for sugar farming and export through its small harbour.
The nearby Mpambanyoni River name means “confuser of birds,” reportedly linked to King Shaka observing the birdlife there.

Why the mini train mattered
The miniature railway was more than a children’s ride:
it became part of South Coast tourism culture
symbolised the golden era of family caravan holidays
added charm and nostalgia to Scottburgh beachfront life
is still remembered by generations of holidaymakers
Today, the train survives mostly through photographs, memories, and railway heritage collections. For many people, it remains one of the most iconic lost attractions of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

10/05/2026

07/05/2026

Did you know?

The 1959 floods around Scottburgh were part of one of the most destructive weather events ever recorded along South Africa’s east coast. While not always singled out by name, they’re closely tied to the broader disaster known as the 1959 Natal floods.
Here’s what stands out:
🌧️ What caused the floods
A powerful tropical low-pressure system moved down the coast, dumping extreme rainfall over a short period. Rivers across the South Coast—already swollen—burst their banks.
🌊 Impact on Scottburgh and surrounds
The Mpambanyoni River and nearby waterways overflowed dramatically.
Roads and rail lines along the coast were washed away or badly damaged, isolating towns like Scottburgh.
Bridges were either submerged or destroyed, cutting off access between communities.
Homes—especially those close to rivers or low-lying coastal areas—were flooded or swept away.
⚠️ Wider devastation in Natal
Hundreds of people lost their lives across the province.
Thousands were left homeless.
Infrastructure damage was severe, with long-term economic effects.
📜 Why it’s historically important
The 1959 floods were a turning point in how flood risks were understood in KwaZulu-Natal:
Led to improved floodplain awareness and planning
Influenced later dam construction and water management strategies
Remains a benchmark event often compared to more recent floods (like 1987 and 2022)
Key details regarding the 1959 Mpambanyoni River floods include:
• Bridge Destruction: The Mpambanyoni River road and rail bridge embankments failed, with two spans of the bridge lost due to pier undercutting by high-velocity water.
• Infrastructure Failure: The, as described in this Les Pivnic article on Soul of a Railway, northern approaches to the bridges were completely washed away, cutting off rail and road traffic.

05/05/2026

It's that time of the year again!!!

Did you know?

The KwaZulu-Natal Sardine Run—often called “the greatest shoal on Earth”—is one of the most dramatic marine events on the planet. Here are some genuinely interesting (and lesser-known) facts about it:

🐟 1. It’s not guaranteed every year
Even though it’s famous, the sardine run is highly unpredictable. Some years it’s massive and visible from shore; other years it barely happens. Ocean temperature, currents, and wind all play a role.

🌊 2. It’s driven by cold water
The sardines (mainly Southern African pilchard) prefer cold water (14–20°C). They move up the coast when a narrow band of cold water forms along KZN—basically a temporary “cold corridor” in otherwise warm subtropical seas.

🐬 3. Predators turn it into chaos
The run attracts a huge food chain:
Dolphins (often thousands at once) herd sardines into bait balls
Sharks (bronze whalers, dusky sharks, blacktips) join the frenzy
Seabirds like gannets dive-bomb from the air
Even whales (like the Bryde's whale) get involved
These bait balls can be so dense they look like moving black clouds underwater.

🐦 4. Gannets hit the water like missiles
Cape gannets dive from heights of up to 30 meters, hitting the water at speeds over 90 km/h. They can adjust their wings mid-air to target fish precisely.

🧠 5. Dolphins use advanced hunting tactics
Common dolphins work in coordinated groups to herd sardines into tight balls, making them easier to feed on. It’s a level of teamwork similar to pack hunting in wolves.

🗺️ 6. It’s one of the biggest biomass migrations
The sardine run rivals famous migrations like:
Wildebeest in the Serengeti
Krill movements in Antarctica
In sheer biomass, it’s among the largest on Earth.

🎣 7. It’s a big deal for local communities
Along the KZN South Coast (places like Port Edward and Scottburgh), locals rush to the beaches with nets when shoals come close. It becomes a mix of subsistence fishing, culture, and excitement.

🧭 8. No one fully understands why it happens
Scientists still debate the exact cause. It may be linked to:
Spawning migration instincts
Ocean current shifts
Temperature anomalies
But there’s no single agreed explanation—it remains partly a mystery.

📅 9. Timing: usually June–July
The run typically peaks in mid-winter, but can start as early as May or stretch into August depending on conditions.

⚠️ 10. Sardines sometimes strand themselves
Large numbers occasionally wash ashore, either from disorientation or being driven too close to land by predators. It’s dramatic—and sometimes overwhelming.