George

George is situated in the Western Cape Province in South Africa and is the main gateway to the beautiful Garden Route.

Get in

By car

George can be reached easily with the N2 highway from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth and Durban.

By plane

George has its own airport. South African Airways operates flights to major cities in South Africa, like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Low-fare airlines 1Time, Kulula.com and Nation Wide provide cheap flights to and from Johannesburg.

By train

The famous Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, the oldest steam train in Africa runs daily between Knysna and George. The train departs George in the mornings and comes back from Knysna in the afternoon.

By bus

The main bus companies serve George regularly on their way along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth as does the Baz bus.

Get around

Preferably by car :). York street is the main artery. Watch out for the ubiquitous speeding traps.

See

==Do==

Go with the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe (the oldest steam train of Africa) to Knysna or visit the local train museum.

Hike up George Peak or Cradock Peak for some spectacular views. 18km. Only for the very fit. Trail starts at the forestry station.

Play golf, either at Fancourt or Ernie Els's new course Ou Baai

Swim, surf or tan at one of the sandy beaches during summer. Parking may be a problem at many of them during peak season. All of them have life guards on duty. To the West there are
* (closest) Heroldsbaai. Lovely beach trapped between two rock cliffs. Many of the houses are owned by South Africa's rich and famous
* Glentana. From the swimming spot you can walk East along the main beach to the remnants of the floating dock wreck (not visible from the main beach). This will take you past many caves. And the really adventurous can continue to Grotte Bay.
* Groot Brak.
* (farthest) Klein Brak.
The beaches to the East are
* (closest) Victoria Bay. Small. Popular surf spot. Watch the Choo-Tjoe go by.
* Wilderness. On your way there catch a glimpse of the Kaaimans river railroad bridge.
* (farthest) Gerickes Point. Due to the steep cliffs no development has spoilt this extended beach. At the point itself there are natural pools.

There are many fishing spots along the coast as well as fresh water fishing in the lakes and rivers.

Buy

There is a major shopping center at the end of York street in the North-Eastern part of the city.

Drink

There are numerous fine drinking and dining holes along this stretch of the Garden Route. Bongos in Wilderness village overlooks the lovely beach.

Sleep

Victoria Bay east of George has lots of tourist accommodation (and is a popular surf spot).

Get out

Go to Oudtshoorn and ride on an ostrich at one of the local ostrich farms or visit the nearby Cango Caves.
Search for a nice spot along the Garden Route, preferably the Tsitsikamma National Park and Knysna.