Knysna is by far the most well known of the Garden Route’s holiday destinations and is renowned for its lush forests and peaceful lagoon. The Heads are essentially two sandstone cliffs that appear to guard the mouth of the lagoon, which connects the estuary with the ocean. There is a lookout that has been set up on the eastern Head, which commands spectacular views of the surrounding area. The western Head is a privately owned nature reserve called Featherbed Bay.
The Knysna Lagoon is one of few places along the coast and in the world that supports an oyster hatchery. The oysters here are also reputedly some of the best quality around the globe and there is even a festival dedicated to their celebration each year. There are a number of historical buildings found in the town, including the Millwood House Museum in Queen Street, which houses artifacts once owned by George Rex. It was built from yellowwood in the previous century around the time of the gold rush.
There are a variety of stunning attractions in Knysna, including the forest, which happens to be the largest indigenous forest in South Africa and comprises a number of ancient trees of exotic and local origin. Home to the once expansive herds of elephant, it is believed that there is only one lowly cow that remains today. The animal life consists mostly of a few small antelope and a large variety of birds. Another historical site that forms quite an attraction is the Millwood gold mines, which mark the spot where alluvial gold was found in 1885. Property is so popular in Knysna that prices remain relatively high and the values are bound to grow exponentially making it a sound investment option. |
