The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is a collection of grassy slopes, subtropical forests, perpetually sunny weather, sugarcane, warm Indian Ocean currents, golden beaches, lagoons, rocky coves, and vegetation. Sugarcane is grown in coastal, hinterland and inland climates and produced under dryland conditions, with a small area under supplementary irrigation. The split is about 50% coastal and 50% hinterland/inland.

The area has a long history of sugarcane production with the first mill opening at Isipingo during 1856.