Day Trip from Plettenberg Bay to Knysna
Attractions along the N2 and then….. Knysna
Our day trip is fully loaded with a wide choice of places and attractions, so you can customise your Day Trip for the best experience. You may even want to return for seconds on another day!
Photo’s courtesy of Patrick Canny
If you visit everything on the day trip, you would have travelled 119 kms.
Advice: If you would like to stop at the Harkerville Picnic Spot for a sundowner on the way back to Plett, remember to take glasses and a cooler bag so you can fill it with ice and your favourite drinks in Knysna.
Day Trip Directions: From Plett, drive along the N2 towards Knysna.
Keep a look out for these interesting places along the N2
- The Heath Raptor Centre
- Blue Hills Bird Farm
- Knysna Elephant Park
- Wolf Sanctuary
Garden of Eden
Take the disabled friendly Garden of Eden forest walk. There are plenty of renowned biking trails through the forest and coastal fynbos, that start off from here, but you need to get a permit from the Garden of Eden office first. It is right at the entrance.
Day Trip Directions: After leaving Garden of Eden, look out for the R339. There will be a sign to your left to Noetzie.
Noetzie
Both magical and off the beaten track, Noetzie has a half dozen stone castles dating from the 1930s, located next to the Noetzie River mouth.
Situated on a beautiful unspoilt beach, the walk down is well worth the effort.
This location is a popular choice for weddings!
Knysna
Leisure Island and Knysna Heads
Directions: The first turn off to the left is George Rex Drive to Leisure Island, Knysna Heads and the Industrial Area. Take this turn off.
Photo’s courtesy of Patrick Canny
On either side of the road, the tidal lagoon and open estuary of the Knysna River provides an excellent place to view waders in the summer months.
Look out for waders on the Knysna Lagoon
Grey Plover, Greenshank, Curlew Sandpiper and Whimbrel are prominent. In winter the lagoon harbors some non-migratory larger species (egrets, gulls, cormorants, ibises). The threatened African Black Oystercatcher is present all year, but their numbers increase in winter to what is regarded as a globally significant population. Cape Shoveller, Avocet and Blackwinged Stilt are also present in good numbers.
Directions: Watch out for signs on your right to Leisure Island. Turn right onto Leisure Island.
Drive around hugging the lagoon edge to see its wonderful wave-free estuarine beaches. This is a beautiful suburb and really worth seeing.
Directions: Return to George Rex Drive, and continue to the Knysna Heads.
The stunning beauty of Knysna Heads makes this spot one of our favourite places in South Africa. From the parking take a walk alongside the lagoon. The little restaurant has an amazing view of the Heads.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Canny
Directions: Return to the N2 and drive into Knysna.
Knysna Town
At Queen Street, turn left if you would like to visit the Old Gaol Art Gallery which is on the corner of Queen and the N2.
Directions: Return to the N2 and drive through town.
There are many interesting shops and a flea market on the Main Road, so park and take a walk around.
Knysna has a number of top golf courses. The drive out to Simola is very interesting, as is the whole golf estate development.
Directions to Simola: Continue on N2 for some distance, until the Old Cape Road turn off on the right hand side of the N2. The road runs parallel to the N2 for a short distance before bearing right. Keep on this road and you will arrive at Simola. Return and turn left onto the N2, and then turn right at the first robot onto Waterfront Drive.
If you do not wish to visit Simola, continue with the N2, until the last robot in town, at Waterfront Drive. Turn left onto Waterfront Drive.
Canoe the lagoon or take a ferry trip to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. For more information, call +27(0)44 382 1693 or enquire from the Featherbed Office in Waterfront Drive. If you would enjoy a sundowner on the lagoon, you can also book this outing at the Featherbed Office or at the kiosk at the Knysna Waterfront.
Directions: Further along Waterfront Drive visit the Knysna Waterfront and enjoy a meal overlooking the Quays and then browse the interesting shops.
Thesens Island
Just a little further along Waterfront Drive is the road to Thesens Island. Turn right and cross the bridge. Thesens Island only has the one main road, so follow it and you will find all the interesting places. The Isle de Pain is a favorite spot for a light lunch.
Photo’s courtesy of Patrick Canny
Thesens Island has an incredibly successful marina development that attracts local and foreign investors. On the site of the old timber mill, the development has incorporated some of the old buildings into the layout. An engineering feat, water is pumped out of the development in tune with the tides.
Directions: Return to the N2 to come back to Plett.
On the way back, look out for a Sasol Garage on your right. This is the turn off to the Harkerville Picnic Spot.
Harkerville (Kranshoek)
This 8 km drive on gravel, takes you to the magnificent picnic spot at Kranshoek. There is nothing better than to have sundowners here on a summers evening and watch the sun set over the sea – so, stock up in Knysna and enjoy.
Directions: Return to the N2 and Plett.
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| More info on the town of Plettenberg Bay | More info on the Garden Route area |
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