Australian Cricket In Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026 | Cricket In Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Confirmed Schedule Coming
Tour: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
When: Sept - Oct 2026
Dates: 8 Nights
Hotel: Garden Court Kings Beach
Twin/Double PP: A$3000+
Single Room PP: A$4000+
Book: Without Obligation For A$1
Visit: Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
Australian Cricket In Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
For the sake of 'habit and history' we will say 'Port Elizabeth' and P.E.
When speaking of how much fun we've had on every Australian Cricket Tour to South Africa watching cricket in Port Elizabeth (P.E.), it has been just that. In Port Elizabeth.
We've never seen cricket in Gqeberha.
P.E. has always been a favourite, since our first visit to see the nailbiting 2nd Test Match in 1997, at St George's Park Cricket Stadium; ended by an Ian Healy six over backward square.
Even without test cricket in P.E., we've visited between tests, on road trips, cheered at ODI's, and even tour games (we saw Shane Watson debut for Australia with a century in 2002).
It is a ripping big 'village'.
Being small, you're never far from anywhere (including the cricket), especially living in Humewood. On your stoop is beautiful Hobie Beach (below), swimming pools (below), and beachside restaurants.
Why: Port Elizabeth Name Change
Should we play a test match in Port Elizabeth in 2026, and depending on the schedule, should you fly into Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport grab a cab for the 6mins drive to the hotel.
We won't include Airport Transfers in Port Elizabeth in 2026. It is A$6 for an app-based taxi in Nov. 2023.
P.E. is one of the easiest airports to arrive for any cricket match in South Africa. As you fly in 'domestic', after connecting from your international flight, you can be on Hobie Beach or lounging by our pool quicker than you can say "One Castle Lager please!"
Across from Hobie Beach is our preferred hotel, where we will live for 8-nights, towers over Nelson Mandela Bay, a supermarket, pubs (above), bars, restaurants, take-aways and a drive-thru. There is nowhere else you need to live.
Around the corner is Brooke’s Hill Pavilion, home to The Coachman; arguably the best steak restaurant in South Africa. Here we will host at least one dinner party (above) during the test match where we lounge for 5 days on the reserved grass.
Seats in the Duckpond Stand (below) will be available for those that want a reserved seat. Our grassy knoll is left of the sightscreen below.
Perched on the grassy knolls of vibrant St George’s Park, amid the constant tootling of the famous brass band, will make you wish every Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa hosted a Test Match in P.E. It is the definition of relaxed sporting entertainment.
With folding chairs included (below), sitting in the shade of the Duckpond Stand, with plenty of room to kick about, will make you wish Australian venues embraced their hills (what's left of them!) as casually.
And no sweat, the chairs will be set up for you and stay for the Test so you don't have to 'walk them home' each day.
St George's Park is just 4km from the hotel so you can, like many have in the past, walk to the game or app-a-cab and be there in 6mins for A$6 between 4 of you (Nov 2023). Another fiscal reason for not including match-day transfers.
Also, at the end of the day we walk to our nearby favourite 'apres-play' hangouts (above & below) for refreshment, so a transfer is wasted. If you want to go straight home, make your own way, like you did getting to the game.
When all is said and done, and the game done and won, if the walk to or from St George's isn't you can fight the crosswinds at Humewood Golf Club or put on your boots and walk the 5km Donkin Heritage Trail through the city.
Speaking of 'trails', horse riding on the beaches and dunes of the Eastern Cape is another favourite 'thing to do' by some on tours past. If you prefer a more 'casual' afternoon, have a roll at Woods Bowling Club (Below).
With a decent amount of spare time (if the test ends early), hire a car and hit famous Jeffries Bay 90km down the coast. Even though Jeffries is outstanding, you cannot visit P.E. without going to Addo Elephant National Park (Below).
Addo is a must-see for the abundant elephant in the aptly named park, next to Schotia Private Game Reserve (below). Like visiting a winery in Cape Town, Addo and Schotia should not be missed when visiting Port Elizabeth.
In 2018 our optional day trip to Addo & Schotia was A$150 (payable at the time). We'll keep it optional when coming back to P.E. in 2026.
Keep your fingers crossed we do!