George Tourism Information
George Population=135 000
George is conveniently situated for easy travel to Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Wilderness.
It has numerous golf courses in the area including Fancourt Golf Estate.
The beach is a short drive away +- 15 mins.
There is a big bird sanctuary, horse riding etc. Paragliding is undertaken from the nearby hills.
George is located in the Cape Wildflower Floral Kingdom next to the coast at the eastern end of the Western Cape Province and has a low rainfall Mediterranean type climate with activities to keep you busy all year round. We probably have the largest number of bed-nights accommodation available in this holiday paradise with its large
conference facilities and many tourist attractions.
Try us for sun, sea & sand, forests, game parks, lakes, magnificent scenery, wild flowers and Xhosa culture.
George is at the center of Nature´s `Garden Route´ and nestles at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. Our airport connects you to and from all the main centers in South Africa and main roads and rail, link with the Klein Karoo hinterland.
The Outeniqua Transport Museum houses a large collection of steam locomotives and carriages dating back to bygone years. The Museum offers hours of exploration and intrigue while children can enjoy a ride on the miniature steam train. The Museum also serves as the departure and arrival
point of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe and Outeniqua Power Van.Steeped in history, George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa 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.
Steam and rail experiences in the heart of the Garden Route
When the George to Knysna railway line was built it was regarded as one of the most expensive railway lines in the world. The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is now the only daily steam train in operation in South Africa and one of only five similar steam services left world-wide. The route includes the 210 metre
long Kaaimans River bridge which is in the annals of steam travel. The Transnet Heritage Foundation has a wealth of fascinating exhibits in the national railway museum in George. Excursion trips, which wind up the Outeniqua mountain rail track on the Power Van (motorised rail trolleys) are also offered. This provides panoramic
views over George, the surrounding valley, the four road passes and the forests.
For a comprehensive map of the historic buildings of George, visit the George Museum which was the old Drostdy or magistrate´s court built in 1811.
George is the ideal destination for any sport and adventure enthusiast. Enjoy the bird watching, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, cycling, paragliding, canoeing, abseiling and many more.
Golfing hub of the Western Cape, George offers world class courses in and around the city, including the George Golf Club, Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate and those currently under construction includes Oubaai Golf Estate, Kingswood Golf Estate and Le Grande George.
The golfing mecca of the Garden Route
The George Golf Course is a beautifully manicured, 72 par, 18 hole course, with bent greens, set in the heart of the Garden Route. The course rating for men is either 70 (club - 5774m) or 72 (championship - 6100m), while that for the ladies is 72 (5188m). Visitors are welcome, with the exception of
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, which are reserved for members. No group bookings allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Bookings is essential. Caddies and motorized golf cars are available for hire - golf cars must be booked in advance.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF GEORGE
The earliest residents of
Outeniqualand were tribes of the Khoi-group, namely Gouriqua and Attaquas.
Today, Pacaltsdorp is located in the vicinity of the last Khoi leader, Chief
Dikkop’s kraal. The name “Outeniqua” refers to a place where people carried
bags of honey. The name still roughly applies to the coastal region between the
Great Brak- and Keurbooms Rivers.
In 1771 Outeniqualand was
incorporated in the Cape Colony when the government started utilising the
indigenous forests in the area and established a “houtkapperspost” (foresters
post) where George is today. The post consisted of a post holder, a wagon
maker, a blacksmith and several forestry workers.
In 1811 it was
decided to declare the eastern parts as a separate Drostdy. The new
town and Drostdy were named George Town – after the then
ruling King of England,
George III.
In 1837 the inhabitants of George
Town elected the first municipal council (the town only obtained municipal
status in 1884) (Department of Constitutional Development and Planning, 1982).
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