Knysna Area Profile

Knysna at a glance

The seaside town of Knysna is a preferred destination for both homeowners and tourists. It graciously lies at the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route. Holidaymakers often flock to Knysna to enjoy the local food and craft beer, cruise the lagoon, play a game of golf on one of the three world-class courses, or indulge in the yearly Knysna Oyster Festival.

According to www.knysna.gov.za the town attracts approximately 33% of the tourists who visit the Garden Route District. This makes Knysna is a great location for businesses and investment opportunities. Leading sectors include finance, services, wholesale, retail, trade, and accommodation.

A brief history of the area
Findings by archaeologists show that Knysna was once home to hunter-gatherers (Khoi-khoi) for about 10 000 years. It was only a few hundred years ago that European explorers who were searching for a sea passage from Europe to the East passed the coast. In 1652 when the Dutch East India Company was established in the Cape, travellers from the settlement began exploring and became aware of Knysna and the riches of the Garden Route. In 1876 a gold nugget was found in the Knysna forest. This led to the arrival of many fortune hunters in the area.

While the vast amount of settlers were responsible for the development of Knysna, they also destroyed indigenous forests and sensitive eco-systems. They sadly hunted the abundant of wildlife in the area to the point of extinction. Today, the indigenous forest areas are protected by SANParks with only one elephant rumoured to be roaming the forests.

Climate
With an oceanic climate, summers in Knysna are hot and winters mild to chilly. Summer average maximum temperature reaches about 25 °C, while winter averages range between 16 °C to 17 °C. The wettest time of year is between June and August.

Distance from key points (Airport/CBD)
The closest airports to Knysna are in Plettenberg Bay (34 km) or in George (70 km. Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) is the smallest with airlines providing a limited number of scheduled flights to/from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Margate.

Schools in the area
Schooling options in Knysna include Oakhill School, Knysna Primary School, Knysna Montessori School, Knysna High School, and Riverwood Primary School. Heatherhill College, Beauty Therapy Institute Knysna, Creative Minds Knysna Computer Training are some of the few tertiary institutions available in Knysna.

Hospitals nearby
If you are in need of great medical care in Knysna, these are the recommended facilities to visit: Knysna Provincial Hospital, Life Knysna Private Hospital, Advanced Knysna Surgical Centre, Hornlee clinic, and Chiropractor Life Centre.

Shopping Malls
Knysna is a dream for shoppers. The Knysna Mall, Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre, The Waterfront - Knysna Quays, Metelerkamps, Woodmill Walk Knysna, as well as Oaks on Main are great spots to get your goodies from in the town.

Restaurants
If its scrumptious food you are after, Knysna has some the best eateries in the Western Cape. The Olive Tree, East Head Café, Anchorage Restaurant, Freshline Fisheries, 34 Degrees South, and Sirocco Restaurant will tantalise your taste buds.

Special Attractions
The Knysna Lagoon is a major tourist attraction. It is also a popular spot for local fishermen, water sports enthusiasts, as well as spotting the enchanting bird. The exquisite views of the Knysna Lagoon make the perfect backdrop to the Garden Route excursion. Other special attractions include Knysna Elephant Park, Wild Oats Community Farmers Market, Featherbed Nature Reserve, and Prince Alfred Pass.

Time to invest
Knysna is an amazing destination for your next home or investment property. Contact RealNet Properties now and we will assist you in securing your next Knysna purchase.