Knysna

The beautiful town of Knysna, often reffered to as �The Jewel of the Garden Route�

The beautiful town of Knysna, often reffered to as ‘The Jewel of the Garden Route’, is embraced by the Outeniqua Mountains on one side and the spectacular Knysna Lagoon and Indian Ocean for it’s oysters and beer, the Knysna Lourie and elephants, the little pansy shell and most of all it’s mysterious forest. The unique mix of it’s natural surroundings, interesting people and diverse architecture makes Knysna a fascinating town – one that will not fail to capture your heart and imagination. on the other. This charming town, a popular holiday destination, is famous

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Situated in the heart of the Garden Route – 500 km from Cape Town and 260 km from Port Elizabeth. The small town of Sedgefield is situated 29 km west of Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay 37 km east. Tsitsikamma / Storms River Mouth is a mere 90 km east of Knysna on the road to Port Elizabeth.

Altitude: 0 – 150 m above sea level

Average Rainfall

Rain falls throughout the year with the heaviest falls occurring in the winter months between May and September. The annual rainfall, mainly orographic, ranges from 500 mm to 1200 mm.

Average Temperatures

Summer 25°c; winter 19°c daily 8,9°c – 19,7°c with sporadic snowfalls on the higher Outeniqua peaks. Bergwinds during winter (between May and September) and cold fronts during spring and autumn further contribute to a very equable climate.

Banks

Absa (ATM), FNB (ATM), NBS (ATM), Nedbank (ATM), Permanent (ATM), Standard (ATM).

Mountains

Knysna nestles between the impressive Outeniqua mountains and the sea. At the heart of Knysna is the beautiful 21 ha lagoon, with the Heads, two huge sandstone buttresses, guarding the narrow inlet to the lagoon from the sea.

Rivers

The Knysna River rises in the Outeniqua Mountains where the rainfall exceeds 1000 mm, and flows into the Knysna lagoon which is in fact the estuary of the Knysna River and not actually a lagoon. It has many small tributaries.

HISTORICAL VIEW

Woodcutters, golddiggers, merchants and sailors, colonial landlords, craftsmen, ordinary folk – all have left their mark and contributed to the town’s history. Many historical buildings and sites offer a glimpse of bygone times. Some are within the town, like Milkwood House and the Old Gaol; others, like the Holy Trinity Church, Belvidere, or the Milkwood goldmining village, oblige the visitor to take a short, scenic drive to enjoy their attractions.

Millwood House and Parkes Cottage

Quaint little wood-and-iron buildings typical of the dwellings constructed in the goldmining villageMillwood. Several of these houses were transported to Knysna in sections and re-erected. The walls are constructed of yellowwood planks. These buildings are National Monuments and house a museum of local history and displays on George Rex and the goldfields. Behind Parkes Cottage is the shop originally owned by the firm Geo. Parkes & Sons, which houses a timber display. of

Millwood

In 1876 gold was discovered near Knysna. Hundreds of aspirant fortune hunters flocked to Millwood. A town mushroomed within weeks. Six hotels sprang up, together with houses and shops. By 1888 there were 1400 claims being worked. However, not enough of the precious metal was recovered to sustain a town and it’s people. Mining machinery was abandoned where it stoof and Millwood became a ghost town. The goldfields were depro claimed in 1924. Today, Millwood still maintains a mystical aura. There are remains of old foundations, street signs, a forlorn graveyard, tunnels and mine shafts. Some old stamp batteries and steam engines have been restored. The ‘Masterolli’, or Monk’s Store, houses a museum where visitors can obtain a pictorial background of the area and it’s mining heyday. The Millwood Hiking Trail covers 5,6 km in this area.

Angling Museum

This museum, located in the old gaol, houses a display covering the history of angling, ranging from fly fishing, to fishing hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, lures, rods and reels. The museum also includes the Nestle Underwater Discovery Centre for children of all ages.

George Rex’s Grave

George Rex (1765 – 1839), the founder of Knysna, is buried in Old Place, 6 km west of Knysna. He was a leading landowner, timber dealer and agriculturist in the district, and it was largely due to his persistent representations that the Knysna lagoon was opened as a harbour in 1817. His descendants erected the gravestone in April 1893.

Millwood Museum

The museum on Queen Street houses a display depicting the history of the town and includes several articles from the George Rex period.

NSRI Museum

The National Sea Rescue Institute of Knysna maintains a small aquarium featuring a variety of marine creatures, including Moray Eels, turtles, Clown Fish, Oscars, Discus, Angel fish and the famous Knysna seahorse. The tiny Knysna seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) is found only in the estuaries of the Garden Route. Referred to as the ‘chameleon of the lagoon’, it is able to change colour, and can move it’s eyes independently is search for prey. During the seahorse’s anusual reproductive process, the female deposits her eggs in the male’s breeding pouch, where the eggs are fertilized. The male then carries the embryos for 100 days and experiences contractions to expel the 30 – 120 miniature seahorses. Pollution and silting up of the lagoon (a result of excessive development in Knysna) are serious threats to the seahorse’s habitat. The aquarium is open from 09:00 to 18:00 daily.

Old Fort

Built during the Anglo Boer War. Takes a visit and enjoy the breathtaking view.

St George’s Church

Was completed in 1855 on land set aside for this purpose by George Rex, the founder of Knysna. It’s features include exposed hammer trusses, a timbered ceiling and lovely wide yellowwood floorboards. In time, the little church became too small for the growing Knysna community, and a large church was built on the same property.

The Holy Trinity Church (Belvidere Church)

Located in Belvidere, and built by Thomas Henry Duthie, this is a fine example in miniature of the Norman architectural style of the 11th and 12th centuries. It was planned according to the English custom, as a place of worship for the Dutchie family, their friends and their servants, and has retained much of the intimate character of the period. The entire pulpit, except for the parapet, was carved out of a single block, known as the ‘Monster Stone’. The bell was cast in England in 1854. The church is now a popular venue for weddings.

The Old Gaol

Was constructed in 1859 by convicts assigned to the engineer Thomas Bain for the construction of the Prince Alfred Pass. The building now houses the Angling Museum, a display on the town’s maritime history, an Art Gallery, a coffee and curion shop.

NATURE

Featherbed Nature Reserve

Situated on the western portion of the Knysna Heads, this 70 ha private reserve protects the scrub forest and coastal fynbos that grows in only a few places along the coast. The reserve can only be reached by boat and offers a nature trail of 2 km and restaurant facilities. Bookings for the ferry service, tours and meals are essential.

Fynbos

Fynbos is an evergreen heath-shrubland contributing a staggering 8000 species to the fynbos floral kingdom. This fynbos is unique to the south western areas of South Africa. Three plant familes characterize this abundance: Proteas, including the famous King protea, which can grow up to 20 cm in diameter; Erica (heather); and Restios, which are reed-like grasses. Fine examples of fynbos vegetation can be enjoyed on scenic drives and day walks around Knysna. Sunbirds and the Cape Sugarbird can frequently be observed pollinating proteas; most other fynbos species use ants as seed dispersers. Many seeds are released only after fire. Alien tree species, such as hakea, various Australian acacias, and pines are posing a threat to this unique floral biome.

Pledge Nature Reserve

In the heart of Knysna lies a haven of unspoilt natural tranquility. The Pledge Nature Reserve consists of 10 ha of natural fynbos vegetation and harbours a joyful, abundant population of birds. Splendid views of the Knysna lagoon may be enjoyed from certain points of the reserve. Situated just above the Tourism Bureau’s offices, Pledge Nature Reserve is easily accessible by foot from the centre of town

The Forest

The magnificent Southern Cape forests are one of South Africa’s greatest natural heritages, owing their existence to the regular, orographic rainfall in the region. For many years the forests were mercilessly robbed of their rich resources, supplying timber to the furniture, construction and mining industries. Today, however, the forests are managed according to strict conservation principles. Only one elephant remains in the forests. Outeniqua yellowwood trees draped with Old Man’s Beard lichen present an imposing sight. A particularly big, old specimen can be seen at Diepwalle forest station: the King Edward VII’ tree, named in 1924 on a visit by the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an estimated 600 years old; it’s total height is 39 m, the bole’s circumference is 6 m. Other common and well known species in the Knysna forest include Stinkwood; Real yellowwood ; Blackwood; White alder; Ironwood and Hard pear.

The Heads

The Heads consist of a pair of prominent sandstone cliffs, which flank the channel through which the sea pours into the Knysna’s lagoon. The western Head is largely undeveloped and encompasses the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Ferry trips and guided trails to the reserve is available. The eastern Head is covered with luxury houses. A small beach offers safe swimming, showering facilities, and access to the NSRI aquarium. A walkway leads to a viewsite the end of the Head offering spectacular views over Knysna, the lagoon, the sea and the channel between the Heads. Several caves lie along the path. A restaurant and coffee shop are conveniently situated to provide good food and refreshments to visitors.

The Lagoon (Knysna National Lakes Area)

The heart of Knysna is the 21 km2 lagoon itself, home to the unique Knysna seahorse, the delicate Pansy shell, and at least 200 species of fish. This lagoon is actually an estuary, since the Knysna River meets the tides of the Indian Ocean here. The tides rises and fall an average 1,7 m- flooding the lagoon through a turbulent channel between the Heads. Many a vessel came to grief trying to ‘cross the bar’ here during the years when Knysna was used as a harbour. It’s biological richness and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and forests make the lagoon particularly attractive. These include angling, canoeing, diving, camping, swimming, walking, boating and commercial oyster cultivation. The lagoon is permanently open to the sea, although the volume of influent water is relatively small. This stable, saline environment accounts for the remarkable diversity of species recorded here, the highest in any South African estuary. Swampy areas, saltmarshes and eelgrass areas of the estuary, exposed at low tide, produce almost all the food used by other organisms in the estuary, as well as reducing water velocities during floods, and trapping sediment. However, the sheer volume of human activity, boating, bait collection and fishing on the lagoon puts extreme pressure on the environment. This sensitive ecotone is seriously threatened by extensive pollution and silting. In addition, the removal of water for agriculture, industry and for the town restrict freshwater. Today the lagoon is administered by the South African National Parks. The lagoon has been zoned, certain parts are maintained as nature reserves only, while others have been set aside for recreational activitites like powerboating, waterskiing and sailing. The SANP also enforces boating safety regulations, angling and bait control.

Valley of Ferns

The tree fern, Cyathea capensis, is a protected species and grows in groups along banks of forest streams and under the canopy of moist forests. The ferns in the wet, high forests of Diepwalle have grown in abundance, to heights of 3 – 6 m. The valley of Ferns is situated on the road between Knysna and Uniondale, approximately 10 km after the Diepwalle forest station. It offers a pleasant tranquil picnic site and a short walk through the grove of ferns. Stinkwood trees, Ironwood, Red Alder and the Forest Elder may also be seen here.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Sparrebosch Triathlon – January

Knysna Tumber Fair – April

Knysna Oyster Festival, Forest Marathon – July

Nederburg Knysna Art Experience – September / October

Annual Rose Show – September

Al’s Dance Club

Sizzles on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, and every night during December. Two dance floors cater for various musical tastes, from house and techno to 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music. Facilities include pool tables and a big screen showing music, surf and sport videos.

Art and Craft Centres

Knysna is home to various artists

Die Ou Fabriek

Arts and crafts shopping centre

The Craft Village

Birds of Africa

Tours through the factory where beautiful wooden birds are carved

Busker’s Evening at the Old Gaol Café

Amateurs, professionals, poets, dancers, and all gather every second Thursday evening at the Old Gaol Café in Queen Street to share good times and good music. Visitors are most welcome to join in. A special menu of excellent food is available at a very reasonable price.

Game Farms

Buffalo Valley Game Farm

Various animals and birds inhabit a region of fynbos, grassland and coastal forest.

Mountain Pastures Game Farm

Offers Game drives, bush walks, rock art, night game drives, and accommodation. Eco adventures include abseiling, rock climbing, paintball war games, archery and snorkeling, as well as birding and Black Bass fishing.

The Elephant Park

Provides a safe encounter with these gentle giants who used to roam the Knysna forest in days gone by. The reserve offers picnic facilities and nature walks through the forest. The park is open from 08:30 to 16:30 every day.

Indigenous Wood Furniture

Various factories have shops on Main Street

Jetty Tapas

Situated on Thesen’s Jetty, Tapas is a local meeting spot with great atmosphere and stunning views of the lagoon and environment. Jetty Tapas features include a bar with frequent live music, and an a la carte seafood tavern.

Kind Edward VII Tree

The largest yellowwood tree in the Knysna Forest. 21 km on the Uniondale Road.

Mitchell’s Brewery

Has been brewing fine ales in Knysna since 1983. A tour of the brewery can be enjoyed at 10:30 every day, and include a tasting of these hand-made, unfiltered, unpasteurised ales

Oysters

No visit to Knysna is complete without a feast of delectable oysters, freshly harvested from the lagoon. The Knysna Oyster Company welcomes visitors at their Oyster Tasting Tavern on Thesen’s Jetty. Fresh oysters and mussels are available to eat there, or to take out. The tavern is open daily, including weekends.

Scenic Routes / Drives Diepwalle Road

Enjoy the ‘Elephant Walks’ at Diepwalle forest station: the imposing 600 year old ‘King Edward VII, Yellowwood tree; the Valley of Ferns, and panoramic views from Spitskop viewsite. At Kruisvlei, you may choose to turn off to Plettenberg Bay via Wittedrif.

Garden of Eden

A boardwalk leads through an unspoilt glen of indigenous forest.

Gold Rush Route

The gold rush town of 1876, Millwood, is now a ghost town, with remains of old buildings, street signs, a graveyard and mine shafts to be seen. Only one building remains intact, housing a museum and a coffee shop. The Millwood Hiking Trail covers 5,6 km in this area.

Knysna Country Road

A beautiful scenic route in the rural Rheenendal area, where you can discover country hospitality, by overnighting in quaint accommodation, and recapturing country pursuits and partimes.

Knysna Forest

Several scenic drives through the largest indigenous forest in South Africa. The forest is home to the last Knysna elephant.

Prince Alfred Pass

On the road between Knysna and Uniondale, a gravel pass winds it’s way steeply through scenic splendour and ever drier vegetation ad it decends into the fruit growing area of the Langkloof. The return journey can be made through the Langkloof, over the Outeniqua Pass via George.

Seven Passes Road

The Seven Passes Road is the original road which connected Knysna and George before the modern, coastal road was built. A spectacular ramble along the Outeniqua mountains, through forest and farmland, over old stone bridges and dark, mountain streams.

The Heads

These large sandstone cliffs guard the entrance to the Knysna lagoon. Take a drive to the Eastern Heads View Point where you will find panoramic views.

The Lakes

A meandering gravel road runs along a set of tranquil lakes, which form part of the WildernessNational Lake area.

Timber Route

Follow this route which focuses on the importance of the timber industry in the history of Knysna – where locally produced wooden products in many forms can be purchased.