Unleash your creativity, challenge yourself outdoors, and indulge in the region’s culinary delights.
When it comes to the chilly seasons, it’s tempting to hibernate with a warm cup of tea, a cosy blanket, and a favourite show. But winter has so much more to offer! From outdoor adventures to creative pursuits, there are plenty of ways to stay active and engaged. We’ve rounded up some fun activities and hobbies to get you out of hibernation mode and make the most of the season.
If you prefer to stay indoors, why not get arty and crafty? Candle Dipping Midlands at Piggly Wiggly is a great choice for the whole family. You can choose your custom candle from a selection of shapes and dip it into coloured and scented wax. If you’d like to customise it further, you can finish it off by painting it with available paints and tools. The staff offers a helping hand, guiding you through the process to ensure your candle comes out perfect, whether you want to keep it for yourself or give it away as a present. You can enjoy a relaxed and fun environment with family and friends in the quaint and peaceful countryside.
If you want to paint more than candles, Kathy’s Art Studio is the ideal space. It’s owned and run by Kathy Jacob, a professional artist in her own right who loves sharing her passion for art in a safe and happy environment. You can find her studio at the Rotunda Farm Stall off Cedara Road, Hilton. For the past four years, Kathy’s Art Studio has been a hive of creative activity, providing fun and art mentorship to both old and young, novice and professional. Kathy provides formal classes during the week, and during the holidays, providing creative art activities to primary and high school children. She also hosts corporate events and paint parties for any occasion. Booking is essential as these are very well-attended.
If you’ve got your eye on pottery, the ceramic painting and pottery studio Clay Brulee offers a comfortable and tranquil space. It’s owned and run by Leigh Goddard at St John’s Village Lifestyle Shopping Centre in Howick. The studio offers pottery clubs and workshops with weekly meetups to learn the fundamentals of pottery making. Perfect for the cold winter weather, the on-site kiln fires three times a week, which allows for a faster turnaround time for glazed and fired goods, and it keeps the studio warm and toasty. No previous experience is required, and spots for ceramic painting are available to book on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
If you’re looking for a foodie experience, why not learn the art of savouring the varied tastes of delicious coffees and wines, of which the Midlands has no shortage! For coffee lovers, the internationally renowned Bluebird Coffee Roastery, founded by Dario Scilipoti, is ideal for exploring the ins and outs of what makes a cup of coffee. Their coffee bar and talented baristas will take you on a coffee-tasting journey where you can select a coffee from a Special Release Menu. It is usually brewed as filter coffee without milk to experience its taste range, but you are more than welcome to add milk! Learn all about how the coffee is grown, processed, milled, roasted, and brewed. You can find them on 36 Main Street in Howick.
For wine lovers, KwaZulu-Natal’s premier Abingdon Wine Estate has been a family-owned and run vineyard, by Ian and Jane Smorthwaite, since 2004 in Lion’s River in the Midlands. All their wines are grown and bottled on the estate. Tastings are offered every Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Selections include 12 wines in the form of reds, rosés, whites, and bubblies. There are options to accompany the tastings with cheese, a charcuterie board, or tapas from their kitchen. For the chilly days, you can sit inside at their tasting bar with three fireplaces or enjoy the winter sun under Oak trees that overlook their vineyard. You can also find the KZN School of Wine on the estate, offering fun courses for novices or students who wish to learn more through the internationally accredited WSET qualifications. Reservations are essential as bookings fill up quickly.
Don’t give up on the colder days by just staying inside. There are tons of activities to enjoy, keeping you fit while having fun. The Karkloof Country Club is perfect if you want to explore new running or cycling trails in the hearty embrace of the warm winter sun, the fresh morning chill, and the serenity of the surrounding forests and stunning scenery. There are over 250 km of professionally built trails suitable for trail runners, mountain bikers, and gravel riders of all fitness levels. Whether you prefer a slower pace or a more technical trail, you can take your pick. Some trails are also suitable for taking your dogs with you (just remember their leash). All routes are maintained and well-marked. There are annual memberships available as well as day passes.
Speaking of Karkloof, if you are looking to explore the beautiful forests even further, but not on foot, you can opt for a fun and friendly horse ride with Karkloof Horse Adventures, a family-owned farm that’s been operating since 2001. They offer various horseback rides for beginner to advanced riders and pride themselves on matching the right horse and rider together to make a seamless and enjoyable experience. Winter is one of the best seasons for horse rides because of the clear days and the looming storms that often occur during summer. So come and meet a few horses and soak up the scenery from a different vantage point. Bookings are essential, and weight limits apply.
If you’re looking for something a little bit different from running or riding, why not the driving range at Stockowners Outdoor Park in Howick? It was founded by Mat Mundell in 2023 on the family farm called Stockowners and has ever since been transformed into a hub of fun and games for the whole family. There’s also a café, cricket nets, a zipline, a pump track, motorcycle tracks, and a jungle gym. They support the community by buying only from local suppliers. There is no entry fee, and they’re open seven days a week.
For all the fishermen (and women) out there, we haven’t forgotten you. Invermooi Estate is the perfect getaway place, just 22 km from Nottingham Road, it sits on the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. It’s a premier trout fly fishing location with rainbow and brown trout. The estate houses several dams, namely the popular McNab and Malachite dams. There is also Trophy Dam, Osprey, and Glen Fern. The Mooi River that runs through the Invermooi Estate is around 8 km long. The Mooi River is popularly known for its wild brown trout. If you’re not a fisherman and seeking something slow-paced, there are also around 180 different bird species on the Invermooi Estate, which makes a beautiful setting for birdwatching. Some of the birds you can look out for include the secretary bird, blue crane, and crowned crane, amongst many others.
The Midlands truly is the hub of hobbies, especially during winter. So, whatever you choose to do this season, we hope you have fun, try something new, and let it enrich your life and lead you on an adventure!
INDOOR
Candle Dipping: @candledipping
Kathy’s Art Studio: @kathys_artstudio
Clay Brulee: @clay_brulee_ceramicstudio
Abingdon Wine Estate: @abingdonwineestate
Bluebird Coffee Roastery: @bluebirdcoffeeroastery
OUTDOOR
Karkloof Country Club: www.karkloofclub.co.za
Karkloof Horse Adventures: @karkloof_horse_adventures
Stockowners Outdoor Park: @stockowners_outdoor_park
Flyfishing and Birdwatching at Invermooi Estate: @invermooiestate