George
Introduction
George is a city in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and it serves as the administrative and commercial hub of the Garden Route District Municipality. It is also the seat of that municipality, which makes it a practical base for handling business in the region.
The city is a popular holiday and conference centre, so you can expect an atmosphere geared toward both visitors and delegates. Its name honours the British King George III.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to know where George sits: halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, cradled by the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. That position makes it a practical base for exploring the surrounding scenery, whether by train on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, on foot along the walks and hikes up the George and Cradock Peaks, by boat while fishing, or on the golf courses at Fancourt. The town itself rewards a slower look. As one of South Africa's older towns, it holds historical landmarks including the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library, and it manages to keep a small-town character while offering sophisticated infrastructure. Plan your days around the outdoors and your time in town around those landmarks.Getting there
George sits on the N2 highway, which links it west to Cape Town and east to Knysna, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban. From the north, the N12 connects the city with Oudtshoorn.
- By plane: George Airport (GRJ) is served by South African Airways, with flights to major South African cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
- By train: The scenic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train once ran between George and Knysna via Wilderness and Sedgefield, but the line was severely damaged by landslides; Classic Rail is working to restore service. The Outeniqua Power Van runs between the George Transport Museum and Topping station, though it functions more as a tourist train than practical transport.
- By bus: The main bus companies serve George regularly along the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, as does the Baz Bus.
- By minivan taxi: Minivan taxis depart from Thembalethu taxi rank to Mossel Bay and Knysna, and from the city centre to Oudtshoorn.
Getting around
Driving is the most flexible way to get around George and to reach the beaches, passes and towns along the Garden Route beyond it. York Street is the main artery through town, and it is also where you will find permanent speed cameras, along with Courtney Street near the traffic lights outside Pick n Pay, and on the way to Wilderness as you come around the turn past Far Hills Hotel. Over Christmas in December and early January, and again at Easter in April, temporary manned speed cameras appear in many places. If you drive the Kaaimans River Pass between George and Knysna, note that permanent cameras enforce a low limit there — the pass is genuinely dangerous at high speed, especially when wet. CABS Car Hire is one rental option, with branches at major South African airports.
If you would rather not drive, GO GEORGE is the scheduled city bus network, running daily for around fifteen hours a day with a mix of mainline and community services linking the CBD, the mall area and Thembalethu. Buses are frequent in peak periods, with headways of roughly seven to thirty minutes depending on the route, and the system is designed to be accessible. Fares are paid with a smart card that you top up at local businesses. Safety and security at bus stops has been flagged as an area for improvement, so choose well-lit, busy stops, particularly after dark. Minibus taxis remain a core way of moving around, with the main rank at Thembalethu and services to Mossel Bay, Knysna and Oudtshoorn; they are the cheapest option between towns but leave when full, and fares are usually paid in cash. Metered taxis and ride-hailing cover short trips, late nights and connections to bus stops and ranks — confirm the fare or app price before you set off. Long-distance buses and the Baz Bus stop in the city centre for onward travel along the coast. There is no commuter rail network, and the historic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is not operating; the Outeniqua Power Van between the George Transport Museum and Topping station is a tourist outing rather than practical transport. The central parts around York Street are walkable, with shops, restaurants and services clustered along the main drag, but outside the core distances stretch out and pavements can be inconsistent, so walking suits the centre rather than getting between suburbs.
Where to stay
George has a wide spread of places to sleep, from hotels and guest houses to a backpackers hostel, so you can choose between a base in town and a stay along the coast. Victoria Bay, east of the city, has plenty of tourist accommodation and is a popular surf spot, making it a good option if you want to be near the water.
- Hyatt Regency Oubaai — a golf and spa resort with rooms and suites overlooking the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains, part of the Oubaai Golf and Lifestyle Center with a championship golf course and academy.
- Outeniqua Travel Lodge — a lodge in Heatherlands, on the town side of things.
Food & drink
For Mexican dishes, try Coyote Caktus, which also serves excellent pizza. In Blanco, a suburb of George, Lila's Arms restaurant serves a delicious "wonderpatat". For a more Eastern taste, there is the Mai Ling Taiwanese Restaurant, and the city also has a Spur restaurant and a McDonald's. Upstairs at Harry's is an excellent coffee shop, while the Garden Route mall, St George's Square and the Pick 'n Pay shopping centres contain various restaurants. For drinking and dining, there are numerous fine spots along this stretch of the Garden Route. Bongos in Wilderness Village overlooks the lovely beach.What to see and do
George rewards both museum-goers and outdoor enthusiasts. On York Street you'll find the George Museum, which covers the history of the surrounding area, as well as the old town hall built in 1912. The Outeniqua Transport Museum on Mission Road displays trains, cars and other transport-related exhibits, including steam locomotives and carriages from a bygone era, and is a must for transport lovers. Among the town's churches are the Moederkerk, a spectacular Dutch Reformed church in Mead Street, St Mark's Anglican Cathedral on York Street, and St Peter & St Paul Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic church in South Africa. Elsewhere, Caledon Street is considered the most beautiful street in George, and there is also the old Arts theatre and the splendid George Botanical Garden. Outside town, "Die Bof" offers splendid fynbos.
For a view over the area, take the Outeniqua Powervan from the Outeniqua Transport Museum up into the Outeniqua Mountains, a trip of about two and a half hours with a picnic break. You can also explore the mountains on nature and historic trail rides with environmentally friendly motorcycle and quad bikes, experience the historic Attakwas Ox wagon Pass Route, ride on a private eco game reserve, or go hiking. Trails around George range from the demanding George Peak or Cradock Peak routes, which start at the forestry station and offer spectacular views, to the world-famous Outeniqua trail through spectacular forests. Moderate walks leave from the Saasveld Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, while gentler walks can be had in the Wilderness area around the Ebb and Flow Campsite. Golfers can play at Fancourt or Ernie Els's course Ou Baai. In summer you can swim, surf or tan at the sandy beaches; parking can be a problem at many of them in peak season. To the west lie Herolds Bay, a lovely beach trapped between two rock cliffs, Glentana, from where you can walk east past many caves to the remnants of the floating dock wreck and on to Grotto Bay, and Great Brak and Little Brak. To the east are Victoria Bay, a small beach with a restaurant and a popular surf spot, Wilderness, where you can glimpse the Kaaimans river railroad bridge on the way, and Gerickes Point, an extended beach unspoilt by development thanks to its steep cliffs, with natural pools at the point. Fishing spots can be found along the coast and in the lakes and rivers. Redberry Farm offers strawberry picking, a hedge maze, mini train rides, pony rides, bubble ball and bumper boats, plus a tea garden and farm stall, while at Silver Lily Cheese Farm you can watch cheese being made and sample handmade Dutch style farm cheese.
Three days in George
Day one: Start in George itself, the largest city in the Western Cape's Garden Route District Municipality and a good base for the Outeniqua Mountains. Walk the town centre to see the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library, then visit the George Transport Museum for the story of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, the steam train that once linked George with Knysna. If you want a shorter ride, the Outeniqua Power Van runs up into the mountains from the city. Stay in George for the night.
Day two: Head east along the Garden Route to Wilderness and Sedgefield, both within easy reach of George and set between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. This is the coast and lake country of the Garden Route, good for beaches, birdlife and quiet walks. Return to George in the evening, or base yourself in one of these smaller towns if you prefer the sea to the city.
Day three: Go inland over the mountains to Oudtshoorn, or travel west towards Cape Town and east towards Port Elizabeth, Knysna, East London and Durban by road or rail. George Airport (GRJ) is served by South African Airways and other South African carriers with flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town, so you can end your three days here or continue along the Garden Route. Fancourt, west of the city, is a known golfing stop if you have time to spare.