Situated at the mouth of the Mzimkulu River (the great home of all rivers), 120km south of Durban and close to Oribi Gorge, this is the largest town on the South Coast. It is also the administrative, educational and commercial centre for Southern Natal whose industries include a sugar mill, a lime works and a marble quarry. Timber, wattle bark and sub-tropical fruit are also grown in the district.

Founded in 1867 when marble was discovered nearby, a harbour was built and the first ship entered it in 1880. In 1882 a party of 246 Norwegian immigrants settled here and played a large part in the development of the area. After the opening of the railway to Durban in 1901 the harbour fell in disuse and eventually the river silted up. The 27,000 candle lighthouse still stands at the mouth of the Mzimkulu River.
 
Port Shepstone has an excellent golf course, varied coastal and river mouth fishing, a tidal pool and sandy beach and is the gateway to Oribi Gorge.

Developed as a port in the 19th century, sugar, lime and marble were shipped out from Port Shepstone until rail proved more practical since the river regularly dumps silt into the harbour.