George
- For other places with the same name, see George (disambiguation).
George is in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. It is the main gateway to the beautiful Garden Route.
Understand
It is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and is halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Cradled by the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south, George is an ideal town from which to explore the area's many scenic attractions – be it on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train, on walks and hikes on the George and Cradock Peaks, on a boat fishing, or pushing a cart across the golf courses at Fancourt. Rich in historical landmarks, such as the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library, George retains a small-town character without compromising on a sophisticated infrastructure.
Get in
By car
George can be reached easily with the N2 highway from Cape Town (to the west) or Knysna, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban (to the east). You can also get to George from Oudtshoorn (to the north) via the N12.
By plane
- George Airport (GRJ IATA). South African Airways operates flights to major cities in South Africa, like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
By train
The scenic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train used to run between George and Knysna (via Wilderness and Sedgefield) but the railway line was severely damaged by landslides. Classic Rail is working to restore service on this line.
By bus
The main bus companies serve George regularly on their way along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, as does the Baz Bus[dead link].
- Minivan taxis, Thembalethu taxi Rank. minivan taxes going to/from Mossel Bay R35 and Knysna R50. there are also mimivan taxis going to Oudtshoorn from the city centre R40.
Get around
Preferably by car. York street is the main artery.
There are permanent speed cameras;
- York Street
- Outside Duggies on Courtney Street (driving towards Knysna)
- At the robots (traffic lights) outside Pick n Pay on Courtney Street (driving towards George away from Knysna)
- In York Street close to Mei Ling (Taiwanese Restaurant)
- On way to Wilderness there are 2 cameras as you come around the turn past Far Hills Hotel
In season, over Christmas (December and early January) and Easter (April), however, there are temporary manned speed cameras everywhere.
Driving between George and Knysna there are permanent speed cameras in the Kaaimans River Pass. The speed limit on this pass is 60 km/h for a reason, the pass is very dangerous to take at high speeds, especially when wet.
Car rental
- CABS Car hire, ☏ +27 44 874-0899, info@cabs.co.za. Affordable and reliable, at all major airports in South Africa.
See
- George Museum in York Street.
- Moederkerk - "Mother church" in Afrikaans. A spectacular Dutch Reformed church in Mead street
- Caledon street - the most beautiful street in George
- st.Marks Anglican cathedral in York Street.
- The old Arts theatre.
- The splendid George Botanical Garden.
- The old town hall - build in 1912, in York Street
- "Die Bof" - outside of George, some splendid Fynbos
- St Peter & St Paul Catholic Church - oldest Catholic Church in South Africa
- [dead link] Outeniqua Transport Museum, 2 Mission Str, ☏ +27 44 801-8288. A transport museum displaying trains, cars and other transport-related exhibits. Adults R20, children under 12 yrs R10, and under 3 yrs free of charge..
Do
- Go on the Outeniqua Powervan up the Outeniqua Mountains. It takes you from the museum 720 m up into the Outeniqua mountains for incredible views.
- Enjoy nature and historic trail rides with environmentally friendly motorcycle and quad bikes
- Experience the historic Attakwas Ox wagon Pass Route (National Monument)
- Ride on a private eco game reserve
- Explore the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains (Nature Conservation Area)
- Go hiking
- For the more fit: George Peak or Cradock Peak for some spectacular views. 18 km. Trail starts at the forestry station.
- Do the world-famous Outeniqua trail which will take you through spectacular forests.
- For the medium fit: Beautiful walks from the Saasveld Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
- For the less fit: Lovely walks in the Wilderness area around the Ebb and Flow Campsite.
- Play golf, either at Fancourt or Ernie Els's course Ou Baai
- Swim, surf or tan at one of the sandy beaches during summer. Parking may be a problem at many of them during peak season. To the west there are
- (closest) Herolds Bay. Lovely beach trapped between two rock cliffs. Many of the houses are owned by South Africa's rich and famous.
- Glentana. From the swimming spot you can walk east along the main beach to the remnants of the floating dock wreck (not visible from the main beach). This will take you past many caves. And the really adventurous can continue to Grotto Bay.
- Great (Groot) Brak.
- (furthest) Little (Klein) Brak.
- The beaches to the east are
- (closest) Victoria Bay. Small. Includes a restaurant. Parents with small children may prefer the well maintained lawn to the sandy beach. Popular surf spot. Watch the Choo-Tjoe go by.
- Wilderness. On your way there catch a glimpse of the Kaaimans river railroad bridge.
- (furthest) Gerickes Point. Due to the steep cliffs no development has spoilt this extended beach. At the point itself there are natural pools.
- There are many fishing spots along the coast as well as fresh water fishing in the lakes and rivers.
- 1 Redberry Farm, ☏ +27 44 870 7123, admin@redberryfarm.co.za. M-Sa 09:00 to 16:00. Activities include strawberry picking, a hedge maze, mini train rides, pony rides, bubble ball and bumper boats. Tea garden and farm stall.
- Silver Lily Cheese Farm, ☏ +27 44 - 870 7424. Enjoy handmade Dutch style farm cheese (10 flavours), watch the interesting process of cheese making then sample some in the form of a cheese platter lunch.
- 2 [dead link] Outeniqua Transport Museum, 2 Mission Rd, ☏ +27 44 801 8289. M-Sa 08:00-17:00. A transport and railway museum. Inside the museum a variety of 13 steam locomotives, including a narrow gauge, the Emil Kessler- Johannesburg’s first steam locomotive, the impressive GL Garrett together with carriages from a bygone era, such as a coach from the Royal Train of 1947, Paul Kruger’s coach and private saloons, are on display. R20.
Buy
- Something at the huge new Garden Route Mall.
- There are many shops along Knysna Road (N9).
- The St Georges's Square shopping centre
- The Game Shopping Centre
- York Street (the main street of George, also has various stalls
- The Pick 'n Pay centre
- For second-hand books there is a great shop in the York Street Arcade, near the Dulce' restaurant.
- 1 Garden Route Lifestyle Property, 24A Wellington St, ☏ +27741491634, info@grproperty.co.za. 8AM-5PM. Property Sales and Rentals in George, Wilderness, Hoekwil and Sedgefield. Smallholdings, Residential Homes, Commercial Property and Vacant Land. R 1 000 000.
Eat
Mexican food at Coyote Caktus which also serves excellent pizza. Enjoy a delicious "wonderpatat" at the Lila's Arms restaurant in Blanco, a suburb of George. George also has a Spur restaurant and McDonald's. The Upstairs at Harry's is also an excellent coffee shop. The new Garden Route mall, St George's Square and the Pick 'n Pay shopping centres also contain various restaurants. For a more Eastern taste there is a Mai Ling Taiwanese Restaurant.
Drink
There are numerous fine drinking and dining holes along this stretch of the Garden Route. Bongos in Wilderness Village overlooks the lovely beach.
Sleep
- There are many hotels and guest houses and one Backpackers hostel throughout the city.
- Victoria Bay east of George has lots of tourist accommodation (and is a popular surf spot).
- Hyatt Regency Oubaai, 406 Herolds Bay Rd, ☏ +27 44 851-1234. A golf and spa resort with 100 rooms and suites overlooking the Indian Ocean and Outeniqua Mountains. The hotel is part of the Oubaai Golf and Lifestyle Center featuring Ernie Els' first 18-hole championship golf course in South Africa, a Lifestyle Center and Golf Academy.
- Outeniqua Travel Lodge, 70 c J langenhoven road heatherlands, ☏ +27 82 316-7720.
Go next
- Go to Oudtshoorn and ride on an ostrich at one of the local ostrich farms or visit the nearby Cango Caves.
- Carry on along the Garden Route, to Tsitsikamma National Park via Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
- Return to Mossel Bay