On 1922 the Railways and Harbours Board recommended the construction of a railway between George and Knysna, a distance of approximately 67 kilometers, at an estimated cost of 296 820 pounds. The building of the line was started simultaneously from George and Knysna in 1924.Although the railway from George to Knysna was available for goods and passenger traffic since May 1928, it was formally opened by the Minister of Railways and Harbours, the Hon. C. W. Malan, on Wednesday, October 17th. When this line was built it was regarded as the most expensive piece of clickety clack in the world. Today it is billed as the most beautiful.
Garden Route Tours
The Garden Route runs along the Western Cape coast from George to Port Elizabeth, and is so called because of its perpetual lushness. Its appeal is further enhanced by the ridge of folded mountains running along the coast, whose form and flow often resembles ocean waves. The diversity of scenery from exquisite empty beaches to staggering mountain passes, together with an unlimited choice of hotels, guest houses, lodges and country houses, makes this one of the most visited areas in South Africa.
WILDERNESS NATIONAL PARK
Travelling along the coast road, the lushness seems to increase with every mile and the area known as Wilderness, could be mistaken for Switzerland. It is a charming world of lakes, rivers, fens and estuaries surrounded by pine forested slopes dotted with wooden chalets. The only difference is that in Switzerland you won't find the warm and inviting Indian Ocean just across the road.
Nature trails wind through densely wooded forests and along riverbanks and you can canoe through serpentine channels connecting one lake to another. There are even overnight canoe and walking trails in this park.
Garden Route Tours a division of Experience
South Africa
The South African Tourism Network