A warm welcome to our beautiful town, we hope you will enjoy your time with us. As this is one of the busiest times of the year, there has been a hive of activity over the last few weeks as we get the town ready for the influx of visitors. We want you to have the best holiday, making great memories with your loved ones.
You will not be short of options for things to do – visit our local tourism office for more information on events, attractions and everything to be enjoyed in the area! Brenton-on-Sea is an accredited Blue Flag beach with some beautiful scenery – well worth a visit while you are in the area. Our area is known for its exquisite natural resources – our beaches, the Knysna Estuary and the forest are world renowned. Please enjoy them in a sustainable way this season. Recycle, use water and our other natural resources sparingly and when you are using the lagoon, be careful with what ends up in the water. It is the top estuary in South Africa in terms of biodiversity and it and its inhabitants deserve our respect.
Thank you to the municipal staff who will be working over the Festive Season, making sure the services and traffic are running smoothly. To those of you lucky enough to be on holiday, please enjoy your time off. Travel safe and make sure you reach your destination safely. Let us remember 2019 with gratitude for blessings big and small, and may the new year bring good health, happiness, warm friendships and cheer to enrich your life.
Aubrey Tsengwa - Deputy mayor
The largest closed canopy forest on the African continent plays host to the only forest elephant in South Africa, but the area also exclusively houses the 40-million-year old endangered Knysna seahorse, an equally rare pansy shell, and serves as the world-renowned natural centre for the elusive turaco (Knysna loerie).
Police stations:
Knysna: 044 302 6608/9
Sedgefield: 044 343 1321
Plettenberg Bay: 044 501 1907/8
Ambulance / Emergencies:
Knysna: 10177/ 044 805 5070/112
Plettenberg Bay: 044 533 5000
Hospitals:
Knysna Provincial Hospital: 044 302 8400
Life Knysna Private Hospital: 044 384 1083
Plettenberg Bay Hospital 044 533 5589
NSRI:
Plettenberg Bay: 082 990 5975 / 044 533 2744
Sedgefield: 044 384 0211
Knysna: 044 384 0211
First of all, it is a myth that Knysna has no beach on its doorstep. That one must travel to Plettenberg Bay, Buffalo Bay or Sedgefield for a thorough tanning, all sorts of surf-sports, or to not kick sand in a 98-pound weakling’s face.
Herewith a few of the arcane gems within Knysna and environs:
Tucked into a cliff-skirted cove on the south side of the Eastern Head, this is one of Knysna’s best kept secrets.
Beyond the parking lot to the left is a sprawling lawn fringed by milkwood and fynbos dotted with braai spots and picnic benches. To the right, two boardwalks lead down to a series of rockstrewn private coves interspersed with cool tidal pools to wallow in.
How to get there: turn right into George Rex Drive off the main road and once you reach the Eastern Head, take the first road left over to the south side of the ridge which ends in a small parking lot.
What can one say about Bollard Bay? (There could be song in there somewhere).
Not strictly speaking a beach as it’s on the estuary but hey, who’s fussing? Turn off George Rex Drive to the right over the low-slung bridge over the estuary and cruise through an ersatz corner of the Cotswolds (all clipped hedges, blooming manicured gardens and other obligatory country-lane trimmings) before you reach the western shore of Leisure Isle.
The short stretch of sand looks out through the gap in The Heads onto the vast blue oceanic yonder, The Featherbed Reserve on the Western Head straight ahead and the estuary winding past the town towards the Outeniqua Mountains to the north.
Equally isolated, this 14km stretch of protected virgin shore is a major feature of the Goukamma Nature Reserve.
Inaccessible during spring high tide, so tide tables must be perused before embarking on the hike to or from Buffalo Bay, which includes parts of this beachfront. It is a protected area for the African black oystercatcher (so no dogs) and dolphins are nearly a daily occurrence.
Exit the N2 on the Plettenberg Bay road at Nekkies and a winding dirt road will take you straight to a corner of Scotland rather inappropriately called Noetzie.
Blocked on the eastern side by coral-like outcrops and a minor wetland where the river disgorges into a deafening sea, the cliff-hugging western aspect of the beach is endowed with jolting architectural curiosities that would do Disneyland proud.
It’s a bit of a trek but all worthwhile once you sidestep through the craggy outcrops on the far-eastern end of Cola Beach and find yourself in blissful Robinson Crusoe-like isolation.
Take a lightly laden picnic basket and plenty of water to this welcome desolation on the verge of the pristine Goukamma Reserve to the east.
One of the finest little hideaways on the Garden Route is but a hop, skip and jump away from the maddening crowds of Central Beach.
First stop on the short boardwalk-trek past foliage-fringed coves from Beacon Isle to Lookout is Hobie Beach complete with nearby beach bar adorned with obligatory island-style decor.
Fishy Business
Drive past the Buffalo Bay turnoff and on to Sedgefield. To your right lies the jade-green Groenvlei, the only freshwater lake on the Garden Route. Whip out your favourite rod and cast away at your heart’s content for carp, bluegill sunfish or mosquito fish. It’s also the only place on Earth where the estuarine round herring and Cape silverside can be found.
A High Dive
Feel your cheeks flapping helplessly in the wind. Get that gut rush
doing some of the world’s most scenic drop zones.
High thrill seekers will also enjoy Bloukrans Bungy. Established in 1997, it was
recognised in 2003 as the world’s highest commercial bungy jump.
Under the Sea
This is all about communing with marine animals: swimming with seals, watching whales
and having close encounters with sharks, which excursions are guided by expert
divers. All the gear is usually provided (wet suit, fins, snorkel, mask, shark
shield etc. – all you need to bring is a costume, a towel and a sense of
adventure).
Hey Dune
It’s not the famous Dragon Dune but Knysna has a pretty wicked dune to surf in its own right. With a strong emphasis on the pretty part – for few beach slopes offer the arresting panorama of Brenton blending into Buffalo Bay, set in a nature reserve with the open expanse of deep blue, as this dune does.
Heady Excursion
Venture out on the Knysna Estuary on catamaran, yacht or
ski-boat and stop off for a hearty lunch under the spreading trees at
Featherbed on the Western Head. Or head straight up to the bar with a “sjoe!”
view to beat all “sjoe!” views to work your way up to a heady sundowner-time.
Come Full Cycle
Hire a bike and take a pedal through the countless forest
paths that has made this neck of the woods so popular with cyclists, or simply
ride along the lagoon and take a spin around Leisure Isle. This is
made-for-bicycle country. People without two wheels admit to feeling slightly,
er, spare around here.
Segway Tours
Instead of all the high and low-jinx stuff perhaps try a
more calming Segway tour in Knysna or even Tsistsikamma, by which you transport
yourself after a 20-minute training session, through the quaint Storms River
Village or a two-hour tour into the cool pine forests.
Kayak, canoe & Paddle Ski
Affordable, fun and a fine way to see the sights from a
crocodile’s point of view. Paddle about the estuary or navigate the maze of
waterways permeating Thesen Islands in Knysna. Trips up the Keurbooms River
outside of Plett with the screeching fish eagles cruising the crags is a rare
pleasure.
HERE BE good grapes...
Comprising a mere 58 hectares of the 100 000 dedicated to the vintner’s art in South Africa, it is the country’s smallest wine-growing region – and rapidly becoming so cool a wine region that it relegates Stellenbosch and Franschoek to simply “those places where people still read books”. The 57-odd kilometre shoreline sliver from Harkerville to The Craggs is the most easterly terroir and arguably the most scenic. Like any wine route worth its salt so to speak, you can breeze by the approximately 17 farms by bus, on horseback, bike or carriage of all things, taste the options and indulge in long lunches in the vineyards. Herewith a breakdown of some of the palette pleasing stops:
As the original estate to establish the region as wine country way back in 2000, this grand-daddy of Plett wine farms gets first mention.
The family-owned project kicked off unusually with award-winning traditional and non-traditional methode cap classique bubblies and still wines just to show it can – taking two double-gold Gran d'Or awards in 2017. The restaurant’s tapas-style dishes spilling out into the vineyards with the looming Tstitsikamma Mountains as backdrop has become one of Plett’s more popular Saturday-afternoon eateries.
Add local art on display, wine accessories and locally crafted furniture and you have yourself an outing.
One of the first vineyards after Bramon, it currently produces three varietals: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir.
Arguably the best vineyard view of all, the compact 3-hectare Andersons vineyards make up for it with Robberg and Keurbooms beaches as part of its broader vista.
A boutique wine farm just off Harkerville with sprawling lawns and manicured gardens overlooking the Outeniqua peaks.
Apart from the crisp and fruity sauvignon blanc, there’s a pinot noir and chardonnay aiming for rewards.
Lining the banks of the Bitou River, this vineyard under the care of Derek Harvey was established in 2008 offering chardonnay, semillon and sauvignon blanc and, by 2017, pinot noir, shiraz, petit verdot and chenin blanc.
A fresh whiff of ocean permeates this fynbosblanketed estate in the Tsitsikamma foothills with sprawling vineyards loaded with sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, a Rhone-style pinot noir as well as a first in the region: a classic Bordeaux sauvignon blanc/semillon blend.
Also tongue-testable on site is a dry rosé and a mongrel-red named after the family’s border terrier. It’s home to a number of freshly pressed (on site) virgin olive oils.
As well known for its vineyardpicnic and summer-solstice parties, the relatively new kid on the block has palmed in a number of awards (including Michelangelo double golds).
The Bubble Bar serves craft beer, cocktails and spiced, herb-leavened gin.
Knysna and Plettenberg Bay boast an impressive five courses between the two pristine coastal destinations.
Of these five, four were included in Golf Digest's rankings of the Top 100 golf courses in South Africa.
GOOSE VALLEY GOLF COURSE
Situated 4km from Plettenberg Bay, and bordering on the Keurbooms Lagoon, this 18 hole Gary Player-designed golf course incorporates the fundamental aspects of the Garden Route: pure natural beauty. The lowest-ranked on the Top 100 of the four CX courses at 93, Goose Valley is by no means a course to forget.
PEZULA CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Opened in 2001 having been designed by Ronald Fream and David Dale and covering 254 hectares on the Eastern Head, the course has spectacular views of both the Knysna Estuary and the Indian Ocean. Number 17 on Golf Digest's 2018 Top 100 golf courses in South Africa list it is also a Par-72 18-hole course.
Plettenberg Bay country club
A country club that offers more than just golf, Plett's premier golf course was ranked number 45 on Golf Digest's rankings. Located in a private nature reserve means some wildlife is likely to put you off your game for a moment or two. The Par-72 18-hole course has played host to the SA Senior Open for the last three years.
Button
SIMOLA GOLF & COUNTRY ESTATE
Number 20 on Golf Digest's 2018 rankings, Simola makes keeping your head down during your swing even harder, simply due to the views around the course. One of only three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses in Africa this Par-72 18-hold course has hosted a total of six Vodacom Origins of Golf Sunshine Tour events in the last 10 years.
Button
Knysna Golf Club
A club with one heck of a history that stretches back as far as 1909, Knysna Golf Club moved location a number of times before it finally found a home at its present spot in Hunters Home in 1951. The town's oldest course offers up breathtaking scenery and you can easily get lost in the serenity of what is a relatively short Par-72 18-hole course.
Live like Lord Greystoke and Jane
No looking back once you’ve twigged onto this one, so we’ll leaf you with these fine choices:
1. TSALA TREETOP LODGE - Much more Lord Greystoke than Tarzan, this five-star resort represents premier treehouse living. A meandering forest-fringed boardwalk leads to the 10 plush suites of wood, glass and stone enfolded in a verdurous canopy looming over the yawning gorge – each with its own infinity pool sunk into the private deck, luxurious lounge with fireplace and indoor and outdoor showers.
2. HARKERVILLE TREETOP CHALET - The fab-est thing about this particular treetop dwelling is that there is but one. It is thus only you and kilometre upon square kilometre of unspoiled, ancient SA National Parks-protected forest. Two finely appointed double en-suite bedrooms and a relatively plush open-plan kitchen/living room that spills out onto a broad forest-fringed viewing deck (complete with braai station and Jaccuzzi). Mountain biking and hiking paradise.
3. TENIQUA TREETOPS - Slip off the N2 between Sedgefield and Knysna and after some 15km on the twisting Barrington road you’ll turn off into a woodland wonderland that could very possibly awaken your wild side. The resort hosts unique, isolated, self-catering treetop suites solidly constructed of wood, glass and canvass, and deftly worked into the forest canopy overlooking the eyebrow-raising Karatara Gorge. Wheelchair friendly.
Saliva-inducing homemade treats, steaming fresh bread and cheese, olives and indulgent tray bakes. This is what awaits you at the plethora of markets in the area.
SEDGEFIELD WILD OATS FARMER’S MARKET
HARKERVILLE SATURDAY MARKET
Right off the N2 a kilometre or two past Harkerville, this is a compact version of the Sedgefield market experience and hence more cute and country-like. Great farm-style breakfasts and ‘60s/’70s auditory backdrop from the vinyl DJ as well fab thickand-sludgy pure fruit ice creams for sale.
MARKET ON MAIN
A permanent market on Plett’s main drag through town. If you really cannot decide whether to snack on French, Italian of Greek cuisine, it’s probably best to make your way to a central point that harbours them all to drink away your confusion. In Plett this would entail bringing your own drinks and settling in at the Market on Main. Avoid it if you are not predisposed to great live music under the stars with choice food and good company.
Being in the green...
Just north of town on the rollercoaster Gouna road you are suddenly swallowed whole by the legendary Knysna foliage. Here there are a number of options to walk some circles in the forest:
A challenging, severely undulating 24km hike over two days down to sea level and back up again via stairs, walkways, ladders and bridges for support, but with large rewards such as the covered forest pathways and sudden Indian Ocean clifftop reveal.
More Group Editors Publications & Online Platforms
Knysna-Plett Herald proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website, www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to enquiries@ombudsman.org.za. Contact the Press Council on 0114843612.
Copyright 2025 Group Editors Company (Pty) Ltd, Registration Number 1963/002133/07 t/a Knysna-Plett Herald
