East London is affectionately called Buffalo City and rivals Port Elizabeth as the “windy” city. Lying between the Nahoon River in the north and the Buffalo River to the south, it is the only river port in South Africa.

It is a city that manages to retain some of its old-fashioned values blended with a huge measure of laid-back charm and, despite its sometimes negative reputation, is one of the most appealing towns on the Sunshine Coast.

Residents display a genuine sense of hospitality and enjoy a laid-back lifestyle. Its economy is very dependent on the motor manufacturing industry - Daimler Chrysler has a plant that produces for the local market and exports to England, Japan and Australia.

The warm waters of the Indian Ocean mean the town has a fabulous sub-tropical climate – despite the wind. The beaches are its main attraction - the long, white stretches of sandy beach appeal to surfers, swimmers and sun worshippers alike. The beaches here are some of the best in the world and a few, like Nahoon Reef, are a surfer’s paradise and play host to international surfing competitions.

The Natural History Museum is famous for the Coelecanth which was found off the coast nearby. The museum also houses the only dodo egg in existence. Sand-boarding on Bonza Bay’s towering sand dunes and a visit to the Lion Park to see lion cubs are outings for good-weather days. There is also the aquarium to visit plus throw in all the water sports, and you have a recipe for a really successful, sun-swept time away from it all.