Sedgefield

Sedgfield - between Knysna and George

Sedgfield is located between Knysna and George on the Garden Route. Sedgfield offers the bird watcher a treasure trove of varied and beautiful bird species to be found within the different eco-systems in the surrounding area. Sedgefield also offers many hiking trails and bird hides established for just that pleasure. At the same time you can marvel at the beautiful and colourful wild flowers and fynbos. To the west of Sedgefield lies Swartvlei, forming a safe estuary for bathing. The estuary provides for good fishing for the enthusiastic angler and near Gerickes Point there are beautiful rock formations and its also a popular spot for spear fishing.

This picturesque resort is a nature lover’s paradise, offering the visitor a rich and varied birdlife, including marine, estuarine and evergreen forest species, which can be viewed along many hiking trails, and bird hides. Nature has blessed this area with a pleasant temperate climate, moderate rainfall throughout the year, conducive to an abundance of natural forests, fynbos and wild flowers. The lakes in the area form a continuous water plateau, separated from the Indian Ocean by a narrow dune-like strip of land. On the western side of the village lies Swartvlei, by far the largest of the lakes in the district with the estuary forming a safe bathing area for young and old. Gerickes Point on Swartvlei beach is the ideal spot for snorkeling, spearfishing etc. with beautiful rock formations and pools. There are also a number of lovely paragliding sites with magnificent views over the town, lake and sea. The Wilderness National Park borders on Swartvlei with many hiking trails in and around the lake, natural forest and fynbos. All the Kingfisher trails are in this area. To the east of Sedgefield lies Groenvlei, a freshwater lake which is famous for it’s bass fishing and forms part of the Goukamme Nature Reserve which stretches across to the Goukamma River estuary at Buffels Bay, and along the coast. Trails along the edge of the lake, or in the pristine forest, give the nature enthusiast some fine examples of milkwood trees, some 700 – 800 years old and Stinkwoods to name a few, making up a wider diversity of dune and forest vegetation. Some 220 species of birdlife enjoy this coastline, amongst them being the Knysna Lourie, African Fish Eagle, and African Black Oystercatcher. Sedgefield’s pubs and restaurant offer a wide variety of food, ranging from pizzas to prawns and a number of interesting shops cater for the arts and crafts enthusiast. Making paper made from rhino and elephant dung is a fascinating process, which is demonstrated to the public. Beautiful wildlife prints and paintings are produced on this unique paper.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 480 km, Swellendam 265 km, Mossel Bay 96 km, George 42 km, Knysna 29 km, Plettenberg Bay 66 km

Average Rainfall

The annual rainfall varies between 600 mm and 800 mm. Slight frost may occur at night during winter in the low lying areas but the day are usually sunny and bright.

Average Temperatures

Summer 20°c – 32°c; winter 15°c – 22°c

HISTORICAL VIEW

In the early days, the Terblans, Barnard, Stander and Kleyn families farmed this area. Around 1925 one T Moodie took an option on the farm Ruigtevallei owned by S Terblanx. Being a surveyor, he realized that an excellent opportunity existed to develop a township around the Swartvlei estuary. His legal advisor and co-partner, A Borchards, ran into financial difficulties and Moodie then approached Charlie Thesen (senior) to take over the bond from Salmon Terblans. This joint venture duly led to the township of Sedgefield being established.

The name deriving from the abundance of sedge (watergrass) growing along the river banks and wetland areas. The railway line between George and Knysna was built in 1928. Only a few houses were in existence, but within a year, Sedgefield was proclaimed a town and fell under the management of the divisional council of George. After the Second World War, a new coastal road was conducted and Sedgefield now being accessible, expanded along the banks of the estuary towards Swartvlei lake. A village Management Board was established in 1956 and the town obtained Municipal status in 1974.

NATURE

Goukamma Nature Reserve

Lies between Sedgefield and Buffels Bay. The reserve includes the Goukamma River estuary, 11 km of coastline and Groenvlei, the Garden Route’s only freshwater lake. The reserve offers walking trails, picnic sites and a rich birdlife. Groenvlei is renowned for it’s excellent catches of black bass.

Swartvlei

With a number of resorts situated on it’s banks, Swartvlei is the largest natural inland salt-water lake in South Africa.

ATTRACTIONS

Smutsville Township Tour

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, one of the last scheduled steam trains still in use, runs daily from George to Knysna and back stopping at Sedgefield Station at 10:53 and 14:23 from George and from Knysna at 10:51 and 15:28 daily except Sundays and some public holidays. Tickets available at the Tourism & Info Buro at the station. This excursion takes in some of the most breathtaking scenery around the lakes, golden shoreline fynbos and indigenous forests.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Fynboskruin Fynbos Walk

Starting point: Fynboskruin Restaurant. Distance / Duration: 10 km / 4 hour. Rating: Average. Permit: Pay at Sedgefield Inforamtion and Tourism Centre. Features include lovely walk through fynbos. Excellent views of lakes, lagoon, mountains, sea even Mossel Bay on a clear day.

Gericke’s Point Beach Walk

Starting point: Swartvlei Beach Road. End: Swartvlei Beach. Distance / Duration: 6 km / 2 hours. Rating: Easy. Permit: None. Features include beautiful tidal pools, rock formations, etc. Should be done at low-tide.

Goukamma Trail

Starting Point: Parking area, Goukamma Nature Reserve. End: Circular Route. Distance / Duration: 8 km / 3 hours. Rating: Average. Permit: Pay at entrance. Features include coastal bush, milkwood forest, sand dunes, beautiful views of the coast and hinterland.

Goukamma Beach Walk

Starting Point: At the boardwalk at Platbank. End: The Conservation Station at Groenvlei. Distance / Duration: 13 km / 5 hours. Rating: Average. Permit: Pay at entrance. Features include grand coastal scenery, dune fynbos, milkwood forest, a wide variety of birdlife and antelope.

Sedgefield Country Walk

Starting point: Centre of town. End: Circular route. Distance / Duration: 12 km / 3,5 hours. Rating: Easy. Permit: None. Features include Sedgefield town, plantations, coastal bush, lagoon, magnificent scenery and views.

The Cape Dune Molerat Trail

Starting point: ROndevlei Research Centre. End: Circular Route. Distance / Durations: 8 km / 2 – 4 hours. Rating: Average. Permit: Self issued permit at start. Features include lake, fynbos, dunes, bird and animal life.

Bles Hoender

On Swartvlei lagoon, this is a popular spot for launching sailing boats and windsurfing.