Mac Mac Pools
The picnic spot at Mac Mac Pools is, by far, the post
popular. It is located 13 km from Sabie on the R532 road to Graskop. A nominal fee is
payable at the gate.
This picnic spot is well grassed, shaded and, mostly, well maintained. Picnic tables and
benches, toilets and braai (barbeque) facilities are available. Swimming and splashing can be
enjoyed in the refreshing, crystal clear mountain stream pools. This is also the start and end
point of the short, circular Secretary Bird walk.
Lone Creek Falls
The picnic spot at the Lone Creek Falls is another
favourite. Drive through Sabie towards Graskop. Take the Lone Creek Falls road by
turning left at the last street (Lydenburg Rd.) in Sabie and follow the road for
8 km. A
nominal fee is payable at the gate.
This picnic spot is well grassed and shaded with braai (barbeque) facilities. Toilet
facilities are also available, but tend to become sub-standard during busy long weekends.
Curio stalls are also located on the terrain.
Maria Shires Falls
This picnic spot is not actually at the Maria Shires Falls, but close by across and next to the
main road. It is located 16 km from Sabie on the R532 road to Graskop where the road crosses
the railway line.
Toilet and braai (barbeque) facilities are available, but the newly planted trees provide little
shade.
Horseshoe Trout Farm
This is not an official picnic spot, but a small number of people can be accommodated at the
Horseshoe Trout Farm. Drive through Sabie towards Graskop. Take the Lone Creek Falls
road by turning left at the last street (Lydenburg Rd.) in Sabie and follow the tar road for
6.8 km
before turning left on the gravel road towards Horseshoe Falls. This
3.6 km gravel road can be
very muddy when wet and very dusty when dry. A nominal fee is payable at the entrance gate.
A kiosk, toilets and a limited number of braai (barbeque) facilities are available. Trout
(paid for by weight) can be caught in the dams using any tackle and bait. Tackle and bait is
available on the premises.
Castle Rock Caravan Park
During the low season, day visitors are allowed into the
Castle Rock Municipal caravan park on paying an entrance fee at the office. Drive through
Sabie towards Graskop. Take the Lone Creek Falls road by turning left at the last street
(Lydenburg Rd.) in Sabie and follow the tar road for about 1 km.
Turn right at the Merry
Pebbles signboard and right again a few 100 metres beyond that.
The caravan park is situated on the banks of the Sabie River and the lush lawns and magnificent
shade trees more than compensate for the lack of proper picnic facilities. Toilet facilities
are available and rowing boats can be rented.
Long Tom Pass
There are no official picnic spots on the Long Tom Pass (road R37 between Sabie and
Lydenburg), but at least two of the lookout points have picnic tables & benches.
The first of these is 9 km from Sabie. There are no toilet facilities or shade trees, the
grass is usually unkempt and the refuse removal inadequate during busy long weekends.
The second is 10 km from Sabie at the Nelspruit turnoff. This site is set amongst tall
eucalypt trees, and have the same drawbacks as the first site with respect to toilet facilities and
refuse removal.
If you are merely looking for a place to set your picnic basket, both these two spots offer
breathtaking views down into the Sabie River Valley.
