Amsterdamhoek


Amsterdamhoek is a fishing village located on the northern banks of the Swartkops River. It is located about north of the Port Elizabeth city centre in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

History

Amsterdamhoek is named for a Dutch man-of-war, the Amsterdam, which was wrecked close to the nearby mouth of the Swartkops River on 16 December 1817.

Administration

Amsterdamhoek forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality which is the municipality governing Port Elizabeth, Despatch, Uitenhage and surrounding towns. It is part of Ward 16 of Nelson Mandela Bay along with Swartkops and KwaZakhele in Ibhayi.

Geography

Amsterdamhoek is located on the northern outskirts of Port Elizabeth about 38 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by Motherwell in the north-west, Wells Estate in the north, Bluewater Bay in the east, Swartkops in the south-west and Deal Party in the south-east.

Fishing

Amsterdamhoek's river banks are a popular fishing and recreation destination.

Transportation

Air

The nearest airport is the Port Elizabeth International Airport in Walmer and is about 20 kilometres south of Amsterdamhoek.

Rail

The nearest train station is the Port Elizabeth Railway Station at the harbour about 20 kilometres south of Amsterdamhoek. It offers passenger and freight services.

Road

The main road of Amsterdamhoek is Amsterdamhoek Drive which connects to the R102 in the west and Bluewater Bay in the east.

Aloe Trail

A walking trail known as the Aloe Trail starts close to Amsterdamhoek, starting at Tipper's Creek Road towards Bluewater Bay. There are two separate trails, one of , which is marked with yellow arrows, and another of which is marked with red arrows, and which takes around three hours to complete. The trail takes a circular route around the escarpment over Amsterdamhoek, and carries on through valley bushveld on the plateau above the village.