From Wikitravel

For other places with the same name, see George (disambiguation).

George is situated in the Western Cape Province in South Africa and is the main gateway to the beautiful Garden Route. It is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and very centrally situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Cradled by the Outeniqua mountains to the north and the Indian ocean to the south, George is an ideal town from which to explore the area’s many scenic attractions – be it on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train, on walks and hikes on the George and Cradock Peaks, on a boat fishing, or pushing a cart across the golf courses at Fancourt. Rich in historical landmarks, such as the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library, George retains a small-town character without compromising on a sophisticated infrastructure.

Contents 1 Get in 1.1 By car 1.2 By plane 1.3 By train 1.4 By bus 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 9 Get out

Get in

By car

George can be reached easily with the N2 highway from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth and Durban.

By plane

George has its own airport. South African Airways operates flights to major cities in South Africa, like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Low-fare airlines 1Time, Kulula.com and Nation Wide provide cheap flights to and from Johannesburg.

By train

The famous Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, the oldest steam train in Africa runs daily between Knysna and George. The train departs George in the mornings and comes back from Knysna in the afternoon.

By bus

The main bus companies serve George regularly on their way along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth as does the Baz bus.

Get around

Preferably by car. York street is the main artery.

There are permanent speed cameras;

1. York Street
2. Outside Duggies on Courtney Street (driving towards Knysna)
3. At the robots outside Pick n Pay on Courtney Street (driving towards George away from Knysna)

In season, over Christmas (December and early January) and Easter (April), however, there are temporary manned speed cameras everywhere.

Driving between George and Knysna there are permanent speed cameras in the Kaaimans River Pass. The speed limit on this pass is 60kmph for a reason, the pass is very dangerous to take at high speeds, especially when wet.

See

• George Museum or the crocodile farm, both in York Street.

Do

• Go with the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe (the oldest steam train of Africa) to Knysna or visit the local train museum.

• Go on the Outeniqua Powervan up the Outeniqua Mountains. It takes you from the museum 720m up into the Outeniqua mountains for incredible views.

• Enjoy Nature and Historic Trail Rides with Environmentally Friendly Motorcycle and Quad Bikes
  • Experience the Historic Attakwas Ox wagon Pass Route (National Monument)
  • Ride on a Private Eco Game Reserve
  • Explore the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains (Nature Conservation Area) and ride where few are privileged to venture
  • Or just join 22º South for the best views over the Garden Route!
  • 22º South's guided tours range from 3 hour to 7 day tours. 22º South also has a variety of Environmentally Friendly Motorcycles and Quads for hire.

• Go hiking
  • For the more fit: George Peak or Cradock Peak for some spectacular views. 18km. Trail starts at the forestry station.
  • For the medium fit: Beautiful walks from the Saasveld Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  • For the less fit: Lovely walks in the Wilderness area around the Ebb and Flow Campsite.

• Play golf, either at Fancourt or Ernie Els's new course Ou Baai

• Swim, surf or tan at one of the sandy beaches during summer. Parking may be a problem at many of them during peak season. To the West there are
  • (closest) Heroldsbaai. Lovely beach trapped between two rock cliffs. Many of the houses are owned by South Africa's rich and famous.
  • Glentana. From the swimming spot you can walk East along the main beach to the remnants of the floating dock wreck (not visible from the main beach). This will take you past many caves. And the really adventurous can continue to Grotte Bay.
  • Groot Brak.
  • (farthest) Klein Brak.
• The beaches to the East are
  • (closest) Victoria Bay. Small. Includes a restaurant. Parents with small children may prefer the well maintained lawn to the sandy beach. Popular surf spot. Watch the Choo-Tjoe go by.
  • Wilderness. On your way there catch a glimpse of the Kaaimans river railroad bridge.
  • (farthest) Gerickes Point. Due to the steep cliffs no development has spoilt this extended beach. At the point itself there are natural pools.

• There are many fishing spots along the coast as well as fresh water fishing in the lakes and rivers.

Buy

• Something at the huge new Garden Route Mall.
• There are many shops along Knysna Road (N9).

Eat

Drink

There are numerous fine drinking and dining holes along this stretch of the Garden Route. Bongos in Wilderness village overlooks the lovely beach.

Sleep

• There are many hotels and guest houses throughout the city.
• Victoria Bay east of George has lots of tourist accommodation (and is a popular surf spot).

Get out

• Go to Oudtshoorn and ride on an ostrich at one of the local ostrich farms or visit the nearby Cango Caves.
• Search for a nice spot along the Garden Route, preferably the Tsitsikamma National Park and Knysna.

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!