GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Geocaching, which is like a treasure hunt for tourism, has hit Plett and Knysna with a vengeance. 

The concept is an outdoor recreational activity where participants use a GPS device to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches," at specific locations marked by coordinates around the world. 

"It gets people to places they wouldn't normally visit, such as local secret places," said Plett geochacher David Ritchie, who has personally logged nearly 30 of the 57 sites available in Plett. Richie has started a WhatsApp group for geocachers in Plett, Plett-geocaching. 

Find a link to the app here: www.knysnaplettherald.com.

"It's a new hobby that's caught on in SA and has great potential to promote individual tourism attractions anywhere. Millions of geocaches have been established worldwide already and come in various sizes and shapes. I've seen a nice growth of more geocaches in the last six months in Plett."

How does it work?

Go to the app and look for descriptions of where the cache is hidden, using a cellphone GPS to locate it. 

"Once located you fill in your name and date of the location – and it confirms your find on your own map with a smiley face," said Ritchie.

Paul Duverge, chairperson of Plettenberg Bay Tourism who also manages Sky Villa, has placed two caches at Sky Villa.

"As the chairperson of Plettenberg Bay Tourism, I am excited to announce the discovery of a thriving geocaching community in our area. We recognise the value that this community brings to our area, as it not only encourages visitors to explore the natural beauty of our region but also supports local businesses and economies," he said.

"We are proud to have reached an agreement from local geocachers to place caches in our local townships, thus promoting sustainable tourism practices and creating new opportunities for economic growth and development.

"By working together, we can showcase the unique and diverse experiences that Plettenberg Bay has to offer, including our stunning landscapes, cultural attractions and local hospitality. We welcome all geocaching enthusiasts to join us and discover the hidden gems of Plettenberg Bay while supporting our local communities."

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