Nestling at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, George finds itself at the centre of the infamous “Garden Route” in the Cape Wildflower Floral Kingdom. Situated approximately 430 kilometres from Cape Town.
George is widely regarded as the hub of the Southern Cape Region. It is highly accessible with a good road network and the George airport links the Southern Cape and Little Karoo hinterland to the major centres of South Africa.
It is the business hub of the region and offers a variety of conference facilities, restaurants and tourist attractions and activities.
15 kilometres east of George on the N2 between the Kaaimans River and the Goukamma Nature Reserve, you will discover the Wilderness area. Nestling between the wooded foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and the warm Indian Ocean in a region renown for its incomparable natural beauty, vast stretches of beaches and tranquility. It is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Most people chance upon Wilderness for the first time after sweeping through the Kaaimans River gorge and rounding Dolphin Point.
Below stretches a seemingly endless beach; in the distance are hints of inland lakes, rare in South Africa. To the left wooded hills tumble down to the village and further inland are faraway glimpses of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Climate
George’s mild Mediterranean type climate makes it possible to participate in outdoor activities throughout the year. Summer temperatures average 26˚C and winter temperatures average 14˚C in the daytime.
- Paradise Adventures
- Timberlake Village
- Ou Baai Golf Resort
- Herold Wines
- Redberry Farm
- Kingswood Golf Estate
- Garden Route Quad Adventures
- Let's go Bowling
- Sixty53sixty Bike Rentals
- Cloudbase Paragliding
- Burchell Botanical 4x4 Track
- Fancourt Golf Estate
- Black Horse Trails
- George Golf Club
- Garden Route Paintball Games
- Garden Route Horse Trails
- Oak Barrel Wine Tasting
- African Art Wire
- Outeniqua Power Van
- Eden Mountain Biking Tours
- Eden Adventures
- George Museum
- Blue Sky Aviation
- Outeniqua Adventure Tours
- Outeniqua Nature Reserve
- Garden route botanical garden
- Outeniqua transport museum
- Old slave tree
- Strydom art gallery
- Outeniqua farmer's market
- Silver lily cheese farm
- Beaches
"The town of George is central to South Afrtican Garden Route in the Western Cape province and is the sixth oldest town in South Africa - the first founded under British rule - and was named after the reigning monarch in 1811, King George III. The Outeniqua forests were the reason the Dutch East India Company, in 1776, established a woodcutters outpost on the site of what became George in 1811. It was declared a drostdy by the Earl of Caledon on 23 April 1811. George gained municipal status in 1837.
During 1812 two missionaries from London, namely James Read and William Wimmer visited Hoogekraal near George. Kaptein Dikkop, leader of the Khoikhoi tribe living in the area, was so impressed with their work that he invited them to come and live and work amongst his people. The Khoikhoi were a semi-nomadic race who cared only for their cattle and sheep and spent the rest of the time sleeping in the sun. Nothing was done to civilize or Christianise any of these people and the farmers were averse to any education or upliftment of their non-white neighbours - the "Bag-Carriers" of the Southern Cape.
There was great jubilation when news was received in February 1813 that the German missionary, Reverend Charles Pacalt, would undertake the missionary task. The mission station Hoogekraal was named Pacaltsdorp after the death of the German-speaking missionary, the Reverend Charles Pacalt in 1818.
Despite all the efforts of Kaptein Kikkop to spread the gospel amongst his followers, he was buried outside the mission’s burial ground about 100 metres from the church. The reason was apparently that he had never converted to Christianity.
His grave, a national monument, may still be seen near the burial grounds. Rev. Charles Pacalt, Rev John Brown Milne, Rev Anderson all lie buried in this peaceful spot. Epeneta Jantze is the only member of the Khoikhoi tribe who was buried with them in the mission’s acre.
Pacaltsdorp is richly endowed with historic buildings. An impressive site for visitors is the unique Norman-style church with its meter thick rough stone walls. It was originally built from stone, yellowwood, glass and clay. From the tall, square battlemented Norman tower, kilometres of countryside may be viewed. The "Pata Huisie" as it became known during 1922, was constructed in approximately 1813 by Rev Pacalt as his second mission cottage. Consisting of sod walls, a thatch roof and cow-dung floor, it was declared a national monument in 1976. William Anderson built the first manse, next to Pacalt’s little two roomed cottage. A two-storied building with thick stone walls and abundant yellowwood, it was also declared a national monument in 1976."
Source: gardenroute.com
