The Islands Estate

For the young at heart and the energetic, provision is made for a bowling green, squash courts, tennis courts and a beach volleyball court.

If that is not your cup of tea, come park your car and stroll around the Mache court, or even better, bring your clubs and practice your short game.

The Swimming pool overlooking the canal is the ideal place to cool down in the hot summer months. The boat launching facility is the place to be if you want to put the boat through its paces on the way to the water locks to enjoy a day of fun in the dam.

The foyer is situated on the east side of the building and is the main access to the activity hall of 150m2. The hall opens out to the north and south sides to invite the outdoors in. The hall can be used for various activities and with the covered patio of 78m² and the lower deck of 117m² linked to it, the inside and outside areas becomes an integrated area for fun and activity. To the west of the hall is a bar area while watching the kids in the pool or just enjoying the views over the canal with the mountain as backdrop.

The upper deck of 92m² is the ideal place to get away from it all and enjoy some reading with an even better view over the canal. On the upper level provision is made for a multi purpose room of 60m² where groups can arrange and enjoy some aerobics, have a small party, a quick meeting for the chess or bridge club or kids can enjoy some kiddies entertainment while the grown ups enjoy other activities, whatever is arranged.

Terraces around the pool and between the tennis courts and the buildings are ideal areas for
just lazing about or having a picnic.

The Islands Estate is a boat lover's paradise, described by many as a world class facility offering a whole new way of living.
The Estate features a system of canals - six kilometres of navigable water at various points in the estate, with islands and jetties to accommodate boats. The canals meander between exquisitely designed waterfront homes.

The water in the canals functions independently of the adjacent Hartbeespoort Dam as the canals have been constructed above the Dam's water level.

The water in the canal is continuously circulated through an artificial wetland system consisting of a series of interconnecting dams covered with water-loving plants and reeds to ensure water quality of a high standard.

Access from the canals to the Hartbeespoort Dam is made possible by means of bi-directional water locks, with a similar system connecting the lower and upper canals. The bi-directional water lock allows for lowering or rising of up to six boats at a time (three up and three down) at the two water locks. The transfer time of boats in the water lock is kept to less than ten minutes. Freeboard between the canal water level and lower arch of the bridges is three metres or more, thus catering for most sized power boats used on the Hartbeespoort Dam.

Gareth Westerdale of Boat and Lifestyle, well known amongst the boating fraternity was one of the first to navigate the canals. He was very impressed with the layout and the fact that the developers had considered all aspects to ensure the uniqueness of the canal system. An added feature is the availability of Gareth's professional advice on boat matters. Boat and Lifestyle is in close proximity and offers 7 day 24 hour owner driven sales and service.

The development made provision for an eight hectare park to be created as a communal area. The vast park area adjoining a sports oval and terraced amphitheatre on one side and the remaining space on the other comprises three dams with connecting streams through which water is circulated continuously.
Pathways within the park area have been created as walking trails and between stands ensuring that green belt expanses were retained. Brick pathways along the road edges are curved and slightly winding, calling to mind the gently raised mounds and berms that characterize the landscaping.
The estate is furthermore serviced with paved or asphalt roads, paved sidewalks with lawned verges, which also apply to the verges of canals, allowing extensive walks or runs on the Estate.

Birdlife has since completion of The Island Estate's canal and wetland increased considerably offering perfect opportunities for bird watching.