CAPE NATURE CONSERVATION controls some TEN NATURE RESERVES in the area, stretching form Plettenberg Bay in the east through George, over the Outeniqua Mountain Range into the Little Karoo (Swartberg) & then right through to the Anysberg Nature Reserve some 60km outside Ladysmith.

The most popular coastal reserves are Keurbooms, Robberg, Goukamma Marine Reserve & Outeniquas north of George & Mossel Bay. Pets & 4x4 vehicles are only allowed on very limited areas.

The marine environment is sensitive to over-utilisation. One such creature is the African Black Oyster Catcher, South Africa’s second rarest coastal bird. An Oyster Catcher conservation program is currently underway in order to make the broader public more aware of this particular aspect of conservation.

GOUKAMMA NATURE RESERVE: This cheerful reserve provides lovely picnic spots, as well as various walks, such as a 14km beach walk, 8km circular route and a 16km walk from Goukamma to Groenvlei, over dunes & coastal fynbos. Inquiries: 0445-830042

ROBBERG: Spectacular sight-seeing at this reserve near Plettenberg Bay, with many picnic areas and various walks. Rock angling is permissible, but fishing within the marine reserve boundaries is not allowed. Inquiries: 04457-32125

ROBBERG: Spectacular sight-seeing at this reserve near Plettenberg Bay, with many picnic areas and various walks. Rock angling is permissible, but fishing within the marine reserve boundaries is not allowed. Inquiries: 04457-32125

KEURBOOMS NATURE RESERVE: The river is strictly zoned as a conservation area, and skiing is only allowed on a limited part of the river. Canoes may be hired in order to paddle up the river to the overnight hut.  Inquiries: 04457-32125

MARINE RESERVES:  Marine reserves are established for the protection of a wide variety of marine organisms as well as sandy beaches, dunes and estuaries. Estuaries are important areas for certain fish species which, at an early stage, derive essential food from plant material in salt marshes.

No marine organisms (bait) may be collected from the inter-tidal zone, so shore-anglers are requested to bring their own bait when organising a fishing trip. Also NO angling from boats is allowed within one nautical mile from the coastline. All these regulations are in place to protect the marine life and to ensure a sustainable resource for future generations

SOUTHERN CAPE HERBARIUM:   When it comes to Fynbos, the South Cape Herbarium at the George Museum has everything. Funded by the Green Trust,, the Herbarium can best be described as a library of pressed plant specimens that have been collected from all over the Southern Cape. But it is as an interactive and educational center that the Herbarium really comes into its own. It boasts an open education area where visitors may handle specimens and consult quick guides, flip files, books, flower guides and botanical keys. The specimen table is stocked with different fresh specimens every week, and the plants are labeled with both their botanical and common names. There is an ongoing program of courses for the public. Visitors are most welcome, but, if you’re planning a visit, it’s always best to make an appointment as the Herbarium’s staff are often away on field trips and community work.

The Herbarium has established and maintains a well labeled fynbos garden, a forest garden and an ethno-botanical herb garden in the Museum complex. Self-guide pamphlets to the herbs - both indigenous & exotic - are available.  Booking for guided tours with resident botanist Nicholas Cole is essential. (044-874 1558)

THE TIMBER ROUTE  The modern city of George grew from the humble woodcutters’ outpost that the Dutch East India Company established here in 1776 to supply the increasing demand for timber in the building, transport & furniture industries of the Cape Colony. The lives & livelihood of the people revolved around the timber industry and the rich forests of the area until well into the 20the century.

GEORGE BOTANICAL GARDEN:   The flora of the Southern Cape has the world’s greatest diversity of species. A Botanical Garden is being established in George to conserve the rich but diminishing floral diversity of the Garden Route and to increase awareness of the region’s beauty & value.

The Botanical Garden will have an environmental education center and will run environmental education programs in conjunction with the southern Cape Herbarium’s botanical and Environmental Education Program. Some of the garden’s planned highlights are: a fynbos demonstration garden, mountain hikes, an amphitheater, a wetland garden, a geological garden, Khoi San rock art, a picnic area with water feature, plant sales area, a butterfly garden, a herbarium, a restaurant and shops.

Early woodcutters & their families lived in forest clearings where they evolved into closely knit communities where intermarriage was common. Their build was thin & wiry, but they were tough and strong with an incredible ability and skill in felling, sawing and handling timber. The utilization of the forest trees led to such industries and furniture & wagon making. By 1910 several large sawmills had been established in the district. Timber for export was transported to coastal ports by ox wagon. Today you will find sawmills with the ultimate in modern wood technology and innovative furniture factories in the southern Cape. Unique to this area is the age-old technique & skill of manufacturing solid wood furniture by hand

The timber section of the George Museum gives an insight into the history of the timber industry. Displays of old tools and techniques, timber samples, wagons, a yellowwood cottage (dating back to 1890) and labeled trees in the garden.