What to do in George Archives

DAY TRIP FROM GEORGE: COAST TO KAROO

Ready to experience something different for a day? It is time to escape to the slow life of the Karoo! Starting from George take the N12 towards Oudtshoorn. As you drive up the Outeniqua Pass enjoy the soft green folds of the mountains, because soon you will leave it behind you. Once you have reached the top of the pass and descend on the other side into the Waboomskraal valley the Klein Karoo slowly unfolds all its secrets. Take the Oudtshoorn turn-off as soon as you exit the Waboomskraal valley. As you approach Oudtshoorn you will notice the blue haze of the Swartberg mountains on the horizon. In winter it will be dusted with some snow and in summer the fynbos will be in full bloom. There are several things to do in and around the town of Oudtshoorn, but we will be heading to Prince Albert via the Swartberg… Read more >

DAY TRIP FROM GEORGE : SOPHY GRAY’S FOOTSTEPS

If you love architecture and interesting stories, follow the footstep of Sophie Gray around the Southern Cape. This is an easy day trip with enough time to have something to snack at some of the amazing farm stalls in the Garden Route. 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… Read more >

A DAY HIKE IN WABOOMSKRAAL

As you approach from Oudtshoorn you will traverse a beautiful valley surrounded by the Outeniqua mountains where hops are grown. The name of this valley is Waboomskraal. It is home to about 75% of South Africa’s hops farms. There is a lesser known hiking trail called “Doringrivier” that takes you all the way to the Ronbinson Pass, which connects Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, but today we only planned to take a shorter day hike up and over the mountains to a nearby trig beacon. Just as well, because with my unfit state I will never be able to complete a strenuous hike of 50 kilometres. Even the hike to the trig beacon is uphill all the time. (Remember that a trig beacon is normally at the highest point on a mountain!). Reading a description of the hike they mentioned that you can maybe see klipspringer, grey rhebuck, leopard and also… Read more >

THE OLD TOLL HOUSE, GEORGE

Are you wondering what to do in George on a wet or beautiful sunny Saturday morning? We took the gravel road up the historic Montagu Pass. – It is one of the four passes that traverse the Outeniqua mountains. You will stumble upon the old Toll House. The gravel road leads up the 8km long pass and is signposted from the N12 towards Oudtshoorn. Starting from the George side and travelling up the incline, it is the first and only building that you come across. Until the building of the Outeniqua pass as we know it today, the Montagu pass was the main route between Cape Town and Grahamstown. The Toll House dates back to the year 1855. According to old records the toll was as follow: a whopping two pennies per wheel a penny per draft animal two pennies for losloop animals and half a penny for each sheep,… Read more >

GEORGE – A PERFECT DESTINATION

LOOK OUT FOR THOSE GOLDEN OLDIES Do you like golden oldies with a story? Then this is just what you were looking for at Mauritz Lammers Antiques. From crockery brick-a-brac to stately old furniture and much loved books. Take your time to marvel at all the pieces on display and take some home if you wish. You just might find something that you like here. A good place to keep you busy on those unexpected rainy days. Where? On the N2 opposite the Sasol garage Kraaibosch, George. THE OLD TOLL HOUSE ON THE MONTAGU PASS This is a historic building that was lovingly restored by some local enthusiasts and also the very first toll road in the Garden Route. On a Saturday morning you can have pancakes and coffee to support a worthy cause. What to see? Admire the lush green mountainside and… Read more >

5 “LEKKER” PICNIC SPOTS IN THE GARDEN ROUTE

Well let’s first start with the word lekker for those who are not familiar with the Afrikaans language. It can be translated as a lot of things such as great, tasty, nice , scenic, pretty – it all depends in what sentence it is used – but what I mean with lekker is more the use of pleasurable and relaxing with a scenic view. There is not one word in the English language that can describe it quite the same. SPOT #1 : EBB AND FLOW (NORTH) Situated on the northern banks of the Touw river it falls within the Garden Route National Park, but day visitors are welcomed. You will be rewarded with some shade under old wild fig trees, a demarcated fire pit, clean ablution facilities and a Knysna Loerie (Turaco) or two. Need to know: Report to reception and pay your day visitor fee. If you have a… Read more >

BITES @ THE BREWERY

Since it is the festive season we all were feeling a bit laid back so we decided to treat ourselves with something nice. And the perfect place for this? At Bites inside the Robertson Brewery in Memorium Street! This is one of the places right on our doorstep, but that we have never visited before. So off we go – not for a beer but for a milkshake. I must admit it does sound a bit strange to have a milkshake at a brewery, but it worked for me. I had a Take a Break (stuffed with some chunks of KitKat), hubby enjoyed a Nutcracker (smothered with Nutella) and the not so little one had an Astrophysics (you guessed it – filled with lots of Astros). Perusing the menu I was quite surprised at all the delicious and tempting dishes on offer. You can indulge in an Elvis Presley breakfast,… Read more >

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