You can start the trip at any point and travel in any direction.  It all depends on how you feel and where you are staying. 

Our starting point will be in George at the St Marks Cathedral at the top end of York Street.  Travelling towards the mountain you will find this little Anglican church on your right-hand side.   Some of the interesting facts is that the stained-glass windows came all the way from Germany.   It was recovered from a church in Germany during the French Revolution, brought to England and then found its way to South Africa.  The church dates back to the period of 1850 and is the oldest of the three churches that you will visit today.

In 1948 Queen Elizabeth also paid a visit to the cathedral on her Royal visit to the Union of South Africa.

Heading east towards Knysna you will make a stop in the charming village of Belvidere to visit the Holy Trinity church which originates from 1855. 

In early 1848, soon after Bishop Gray arrived in Cape Town, two affluent English-speaking Settlers from Knysna – Thomas Duthie and William Newdigate – road to Cape Town to impress on the Bishop the need of a clergyman in the region. The Bishop’s stone masons (Alexander Bern, Alexander Lawrence and his brother James) set out on 27 May 1851 and for the next six months stone was blasted from a nearby quarry and brought to the site. By the middle of 1852 all the stonework was completed and they could begin with the roof, In 1853 the church opened for its first service. The consecration however had to be delayed until 1855 when Bishop Gray visited Knysna again.

After this turn right onto the N2 and head into Knynsa.  Here you will visit the St George’s Church in the main road. 

John Rex laid the foundation stone of this church in 1849 built on land donated by his father, George Rex, the founder of Knysna.   Construction of the church commenced in 1850 based on a plan adapted by Sophy Gray.  Two Scottish stonemasons, Lawrence and Bern, were commissioned to build the church.    

The church is open for private prayer on weekdays 08:00 – 15:00.

GPS coordinates:  S 34° 02.090 E 023° 03.021

Carry on with the N2 towards Plettenberg Bay. The Sophy Gray church with the loveliest setting is arguably St Peter’s in Plettenberg Bay. The church is situated close to a grove of trees and overlooks the ocean and the distant Tsitsikamma Mountains and is within easy walking distance from the town centre. You may also note that Saint Peter’s is built of a random selection of stones. Noteworthy features are the buttresses set at right angles to each corner of the west wall and the scissors truss roof.

GPS coordinates:  S 34° 03.249′ E 023° 22.463′

Sophy was a busy woman and designed about 53 churches scattered all over South Africa.    She was the first woman to practice architecture in South Africa, and one of the earliest to do so in the world. No mean feat for a woman who was a wife during the Victorian era, and a mother to five children.

There are also some other interesting churches to visit in the Garden Route. Have a look at San Ambrosio church in the forests of Knysna.

—oOo—

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This is South Africa’s own lakes district.  There are various bird hides along the lakes system that you can, well, hide in, to watch some bird life along the lakes.  Find Gullilule and Malachite Bird hides for some splendid bird activity along the lakes. The chances are good that you will be the only person in the hide.  By far one of the best kept secrets still in the Garden Route!

Stop at Dolphin’s Point and enjoy the view both ways.  First look to the East and enjoy the unspoiled beaches of, well Wilderness, and then look to the West and you will notice the icon bridge over the Kaaimans river mouth.  I wonder how many pictures were taken at this spot in the past and how many more will be taken in the future.

While at Dolphin’s Point remember to look out for migrating whales between June and November.  Although you might have seen them before it is always a special sight for me.

If you are in love with forests, then you need to take the route along the famous Seven Passes roads. And while you are on the Seven Passes road stop more or less halfway at a quant little eatery with the name of Totties near Rheenendal.  They serve generous helpings, but do not be in a hurry as good food requires time to prepare.  This is a bit further afield than Wilderness, but worth a visit.

The gravel roads around the lakes and even the Seven Passes road is excellent for some mountain biking.  Take note that there are some steep climbs on some section, but there need to be some challenges for the trained riders as well.    This is also a tick box route for many motor cyclists so keep an eye open for them as there are many blind curves and rises. The clip inserted below gives a sneak preview on the Seven Passes. 

Ride the Seven Passes

There are several big trees in the vicinity.  The Woodville Big Tree is worth a visit and a nice place to have a leisurely picnic.

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