Knysna



Knysna, pearl of the scenic Garden Route, sits between George and Plettenberg Bay. Perennially green thanks to a Mediterranean Maritime climate with rain falling throughout the year, Knysna is mantled by indigenous forests extending into the Tsitsikamma National Park area. Nestled between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian ocean, the culinary capital of oysters and other delectable seafood is a compulsory stopover on every traveller's itinerary. At the heart of Knysna is a lagoon protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" Webcam– best explored on board a catamaran or from along hiking paths in the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A hotspot for art and craft, as well as adventure activities such as tree canopy gliding, kloofing and abseiling, Knysna offers something to everybody.

The peculiarity of the origin of the place-name Knysna is commonly explained with a light-hearted joke of two German tourists travelling to Knysna, and upon reaching the lookout point on the eastern Knysna Head, the one says to the other: 'Nice, na?'. On a more serious note, Knysna is believed to be derived from a Khoi word for place of wood, or fern leaves, but most probable straight down or hard to reach - referring to the steep Knysna Heads.

Events
Knysna hosts a variety of events annually, which draw local and international visitors alike. Such events include the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival (late June/early July); the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras (end of April/beginning of May); Gastronomica lifestyle festival, which promotes healthy eating and organic principles(September); and the Rastafarian Earth Festival held at the end of July, celebrating Rastafarian religion, culture and lifestyle.

Knysna Oyster Festival
The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, held annually in late June/early July, is the town's biggest event. The duration of the festival is ten days, first held in 1983. Oysters, the festival's namesake, are a large component, and approximately 200, 000 are consumed over the 10-day period.

Many sporting activities take place too, such as rugby, golf, bowls, squash, cycling and marathons.

The Knysna Forest Marathon and Half Marathon, and the Rotary Cycle Tour draw many sporting enthusiasts to the town.

By car
Located in the middle of the Garden Route Knysna is easily accessible from Cape Town (about 500 km) and Port Elizabeth (about 270 km).

By bus

 * The major bus companies serve Knysna on their run from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
 * City to City has the lowest fare from Knysna to Cape Town at R230.
 * Intercape has a sleepliner bus from Knysna to Johannesburg/Pretoria every day 3PM.
 * The Baz Bus stops in Knysna.
 * There are Minibus taxis from Knysna to George R50. and from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay R25. The minibus station is outside the Shoprite supermarket Nelson street.

By plane
The nearest airport is in George, while for international flights you have to go through Cape Town.

By train
There is no passenger train service to Kynsna. Classic Rail is working to restore service on the steam train line to George. The old railway station is adjacent to the waterfront shopping and restaurant complex, a couple of blocks from the centre of town.

There is a railway heritage museum in George, alongside the train station.

Get around
Walking around is the best option or rent a bicycle for longer distances. Except the minibuses there is no public transport so you have to take a taxi if you want. Traffic can become extremely busy during the tourist high season and long queues in and out of Knysna are common.

See

 * The lagoon: about 18 km² and home to at least 200 species of fish is connected with the Indian Ocean through a turbulent channel between "The Heads", two sandstone cliffs. Tour around on one of several boats or just take a coffee at "the Heads".
 * Take a boat across to the
 * The Knysna Forest: about 80,000 ha are now under conservation. The 'King Edward VII' tree (at Diepwalle forest station) is an estimated 600 years old, 39 m at height, and has a circumference of 6 m. The most famous animals are the Knysna elephants. Research involving DNA testing of dung is being done to see how many of them may still rumble in the jungle, please report any "dung" sightings! Remember to always take care. There are several hiking trails but you need a car to access the forest. Don't forget the conservation motto "Take only photographs, leave only footprints!".
 * Pledge Nature Reserve: offers 3½ km of pathways through scrub forest and hillside fynbos with fine views over the lagoon and is 500 m from the town centre. A nice place for a walk in the afternoon.
 * Millwood Gold Fields: Site of one of the first gold rushes in South Africa, the Millwood Museum and Materoli Tea Room (be sure to try a piece of Jayne's World Famous Chocolate Cake) offers a unique and fascinating view of the greed, entrepreneurship, energy, and ultimate failure of the first gold discovered in South Africa during the late 1800s. Tours through the old gold diggings are available.
 * The Kaaimans River bridge, near Sedgefield, used to be the most-photographed railway bridge in the world. The steam train that used to run between George and Knysna via Sedgefield and Wilderness was known as the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. It was the last remaining scheduled steam-hauled train service in South Africa. The track was closed after flooding in 2006 and 2007.
 * The Kaaimans River bridge, near Sedgefield, used to be the most-photographed railway bridge in the world. The steam train that used to run between George and Knysna via Sedgefield and Wilderness was known as the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. It was the last remaining scheduled steam-hauled train service in South Africa. The track was closed after flooding in 2006 and 2007.

Do

 * Walk along the lagoon, take a coffee at one of the many shops at the waterfront and head straight on for The Heads.
 * There are many golf courses around, often with stunning settings or views. Pezula Championship Course and Golf Club Simola Golf and Country Estate, and Knysna Golf Club.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.
 * Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.

Buy
Knysna has two shopping malls, and there are shops along the Main St. and at the Waterfront.



Eat
Many restaurants line the main street and the waterfront area. There are so many good restaurants in and around Knysna that you will be spoilt for choice!

Sleep
Many Backpackers hostels, guesthouses, hotels and B&Bs compete for the visitor in off-season, but in high season prices rise and places fill early so book ahead. There are also several nice options out of town (like Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay) for those with their own transport.

Connect
The town has rolled out municipal wifi provided by Uninet. Access is restricted to 45 minutes per user per day.

Go next
Hike in the Kynsna forest or take a tour in the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam-train to Knysna. Other options are a day tour to Oudtshoorn or the Noetzie castle a few km north east of town.


 * Noetzie Castle - East of Knysna some Britons lost their castles on the beach. Worth some hours or more if you like the beach.
 * Brenton-on-Sea - Less crowded than Knysna this sea-side village offers endless beaches
 * Continue up the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay or down towards Wilderness