|
|
|
About Our Area
|
Visit Knysna
The picturesque town of Knysna, often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Garden Route', is a popular holiday destination situated between lush forests and the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is also the home of the Knysna Loerie, a beautiful coloured bird indigenous to this area.
The beautiful town is only 5 hours' drive from Cape Town and less than 3 hours' drive from Port Elizabeth - making it the ideal spot from where to explore the entire Garden Route.
The town is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm water estuary which is fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands, popularly known as 'The Heads'.
To the North of Knysna, temperate rainforest covers the rolling hills for 20km until changing to fynbos high up in the Outeniqua Mountains.
The Garden Route has a mediterrranean climate with mild to chilly winters and moderately hot summers. During the warmer months - November to March - the cool water of the Indian Ocean is the perfect ending to a long, hot day.
Because of it's mild climate, Knysna is an ideal setting for outdoor adventure. Thrill-seekers can enjoy adrenaline-pumping activities such as hiking, abseiling, canoeing, surfing and hang-gliding throughout the year. Fishing and sailing are also popular activities in Knysna.
Knysna has also become a preferred golfing destination as the town boasts several world-class golfing estates including the world famous Pezula and Simola golf courses.
Whether you are a visitor or a resident, Knysna truly has something for everybody.
Come and explore the beauty of the Knysna Forest and the famous 'Big Tree', enjoy a ferry trip on the renowned John Benn or sample delicious cuisine from an extensive selection of fine dining restaurants. Feed elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park, explore the town's amazing architecture, browse around the museum or enjoy an outdoor shopping experience at the Knysna Waterfront. Visit the colourful flea markets in the bustling main street and shop till you drop at a host of colourful boutiques, clothing stores and bookstores. It doesn't matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find it in Knysna!
The town of Knysna hosts a series of annual events that include the ever-popular PicknPay Knysna Oyster Festival, The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras festival.
Visit Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a tranquil and charming seaside town offering visitors kilometres and kilometres of sweeping, unspoilt beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula and towering indigenous forests.
Plettenberg Bay, nicknamed Plett, was originally named ‘Bahia Formosa’ meaning ‘beautiful bay’. The town was discovered by early Portugese explorers and lies on South Africa’s Garden Route approximately 200km from Port Elizabeth and about 600km from Cape Town. The region is typified by an extremely mild maritime temperate climate with few rainfall or temperature extremes.
The greater Plettenberg Bay area, known as Bitou, is home to two popular and well-known tourist attractions; Birds of Eden, the largest free flight bird aviary in the world and Monkeyland, a free-roaming primate sanctuary visited by thousands of visitors every year.
Other tourist attractions situated in close proximity to Plettenberg Bay include the beautiful Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and the Storms River Bridge, the world’s highest bungy jumping destination.
The region is a popular wedding and honeymoon destination and offers a comprehensive selection of accommodation choices.
A variety of shops, supermarkets, clothing shops and entertainment hot spots cater to both locals and tourists. Plett’s Main Street is home to a number of beach shops, catering to all your sun, sand and surfing needs. The Plettenberg Bay Mall is a true shopper’s paradise and a host of fine dining restaurants and cafes will satisfy any pallet. Due to the region’s access to fresh fish and meat, the town also boasts a number of butchers, fresh fish outlets.
Plettenberg Bay hosts one of the largest seagull colonies along the South African coastline and whales are a common sight during their breeding season. Dolphins are also frequently seen in the surf.
The pansy, a delicate flower-shaped shell is endemic to the Plettenberg Bay region and is used as a symbol to represent the town. Searching for these beautiful shells on the beaches of Plettenberg Bay is a popular activity for both visitors and locals.
Surfers flock to Plettenberg Bay throughout the year, always searching for that one perfect wave.
Whether you prefer a bustling holiday destination during the summer or a peaceful retreat during the colder winter months, Plettenberg Bay has something for everyone.
Visit Sedgefield
Sedgefield, a charming and quant seaside town bordering on the shores of the Swartvlei Lagoon, is situated on the N2 national road between George and Knysna.
With mild weather all year round, Sedgefield is the perfect retreat for those wanting to get away from the hustle and buslte of everydag city life.
The town’s main economic activity revolves around tourism.The laid-back rustic village atmosphere is reflected in the town’s motto of being a place where ‘the tortoise sets the pace’.
A popular attraction is the Wild Oats market which attracts large numbers of tourists and residents from the region every Saturday morning with offerings of fresh produce and local crafts. A golf course, tennis court and bowls field caters to the sporty residents and visitors to the town.
Local nature attractions include Gericke’s Lookout Point which resembles the profile of a resting lion and the protected natural dune areas which harbours Cape Fynbos plantations and rare bird species. The quiet, secluded beaches are a favourite getaway both amongst locals and visitors.
Sedgefield is a fast-growing town with a provincial library, 2 schools, several churches, a retirement village and a number of social, cultural and sports associations. It also provides a good infrastructure for both residents and visitors as more businesses open their doors on a regular basis.
To the east of Sedgefield lies Groenvlei, a freshwater lake famous for bass fishing that stretches across to the Goukamma River estuary at Buffalo Bay and along the coast.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|