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The Garden Route has a Mediterranean
Maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters.
It is one of the richest rainfall areas, most of which occurs in the
winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian ocean. Any
time of the year is good for visiting the area, depending if you enjoy a
peaceful retreat during the winter months, or a bustling holiday
destination during the summer.
The name Knysna is a Khoi word but it's uncertain as to its exact
meaning. It could mean 'place of wood', or it could mean 'fern leaves',
but its most probable meaning is straight down' - an obvious reference
to the Heads. Knysna Heads must be the most striking geological features
along the entire southern African coastline. They flank a deep but
potentially treacherous channel through which the sea pours in to flood
the wide and breathtakingly pretty lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna
River.
Photo by Ian Fleming
Knysna's history began in the
year 1804, the year that saw the arrival of George Rex, rumoured to be
the illegitimate son of King George lll. He purchased the estate known
as Melkhoutkraal on the shores of the lagoon and moved his entire family
and considerable entourage down to Knysna to settle.
Photos by Ian Fleming
Knysna is one
of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated
between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon - it offers
many activities and attractions of a wide variety. The most well known
attraction being the heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth
of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. A lookout has been
erected on the Eastern Head, commanding spectacular views of the lagoon,
Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is a privately owned nature
Reserve - Featherbed Bay.
The Knysna Lagoon is one of
the few places along the coast and in the world that supports a oyster
hatchery. And the Knysna oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the
world. Millwood House
Museum in Queen Street houses material relating to the history of the
town, and includes artifacts once owned by George Rex. It was built from
yellowwood at the end of the previous century during the gold rush. From
Millwood, it was later moved to Knysna.
Photo by Ian Fleming
Knysna has
many attractions in the surrounding area as well, one of the most
spectacular being the Knysna Forest, which is still evident in many places
within the town as well. It is the largest indigenous forest in South
Africa comprising of tall and ancient trees of local and exotic species,
including stinkwood, yellowwood, blackwood, ironwood, white alders and
Cape chestnut. Not forgetting the ferns, creepers and wild flowers which
add colour to this endless green collage. The forest is vast and extremely
dense in places making it impenetrable. Animal life is limited to a few
small antelope and a large variety of birds, such as the famous Knysna
Loerie. Home to the once great herds of Knysna Elephants, it is believed
that only one lonely cow remains today.
Photo by Ian Fleming
Another
historical attraction are the Millwood Gold Mines. Alluvial gold was found
here in 1885, which caused a rush to the area. At Jubilee Creek, the exact
spot where gold was found, provides a tranquil and beautiful picnic area,
with many enjoyable forest walks in the area. Buffalo Bay is
the closest beach to knysna, one of the safest for swimming along the
coast and enjoyed by many holiday makers every year. It is very rocky in
places, making it a great angling spot, there is also a small slipway
available for small boats.
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