Durban’s beachfront promenade recently underwent a R380-million extension, from uShaka Marine World at the Point Waterfront to the entrance of SA’s busiest port!
The 750m extension of the Durban promenade was opened on Saturday 16 November 2019. The beachfront promenade is now the longest in sub-Saharan Africa at over 8km and stretches from Blue Lagoon to the Durban Harbour mouth.
The new section, located between the harbour mouth and uShaka Marine World, is wheelchair-friendly and comes with a lifeguard tower, first aid room and undercover parking.
It is believed that the promenade will become recognised internationally, together with the likes of Copacabana in Rio and Bondi Beach in Australia
The promenade is defined on both edges by the strong architectural forms of the Eastern Sea-Wall and the Western Concrete Steps. The Sea-Wall, a defensive mechanism to protect the promenade against storm surf, has wide polished concrete covers to accommodate groups sitting together, whilst the Western off-shutter concrete steps help prevent wind-driven sand from reaching the landscaping, and also provide convenient seating to all ages. New High-Mast lighting, area lighting, street furniture, and showers were also incorporated.
The existing dune vegetation and forest has been rehabilitated and new dunes integrated at both the southern and northern beaches. The long term effects of this aims to increase flora and fauna bio-diversity, prevent wind and tidal erosion of the beach and visually softens this edge. General landscaping was limited to expanses of lawn, which incorporate picnic and sports areas, and Coconut palms in clusters or along the edges in a regular rhythm to define the linearity.
To claim this virtual you will need to take a stroll, run, bike ride, scooter, skateboard, rickshaw or pedal car along this new section of the promenade and collect answers at 4 locations along the way….it is after all a D3.5.
Please send the answers to the below questions to the CO via the messaging centre within seven (7) days of logging. Failure to send answers will result in the log being deleted.
Published Coordinates – took you to the end of the pier and was where we had the first questions, however transnet has now decided that no-one from the public may walk along this pier. So we have added in WP00 as a starting point.
WP00 – will bring you to the very end of the promenade and as close to the harbour wall as transet will allow. Please complete the following tasks:
- What is your elevation according to your GPS at this point?
- Facing the harbour there are two signs. What are the words in Red on the narrow, rectangular sign on the right?
- Post a photo in your log of any boats or ships entering the harbour while you are here
WP01 – will bring you to the end of the new promenade section. You will need to be on the upper level. Please complete the following tasks:
- There is a lamppost nearby, please send us the letters and numbers stuck onto it.
- You will need to take a photo creating an optical illusion. Standing with your back to the harbour and facing North please take a photo with Moses Mabida stadium and make it look as though the stadium is sitting on your hand. Please post the photo to your log.
WP02 – will bring you to the new amphitheatre, perhaps you will be lucky enough to catch a live performance! Please complete the following tasks:
- Facing the stage on your left is a railing. How many stairs are there?
- Please take a photo of what is happening on the stage in front of you and include any geocaching object in it – this could be a cache container, a tb, your GPS, a logsheet, another cacher, a geocaching cap or shirt….the possibilities are endless. Please post the photo to your log.
WP03 – Used to be at the end of Moyo Pier but as the pier has been closed we have moved this to the grass area outside of the Ushaka Main Entrance.
- At these coords a large man-made stucture has been placed in the grass for tourists. Please tell us what it is and what colour it is?
- Post a photo of the mode of transport you used while doing this virtual…bike, feet, skateboard, etc – what did you use today?
Tip for posting the photos: Most of the apps only allow you to add one photo with your log. Once you have logged you then have the option to upload futher photos to the log. Alternately you can write a note and upload the remaining photos. If you log directly through the webiste you will have the option to upload multiple photos to the log at the same time.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.