Discover 5 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in George (South Africa). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Museum, Outeniqua Transport Museum, and St Mark's Cathedral. Also, be sure to include Moederkerk in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in George (Western Cape).
Table of Contents
Museum
George Museum is a cultural history museum located in the town of George, Western Cape, South Africa. It preserves the history of the town of George with a special focus on the timber industry. It also houses an art collection. The museum was started by Charles Sayers, in 1967 in a single room in Courtenay Street. The museum is now housed in the building the first magistrate, Adrian van Kervel built as the Drostdy from 1812 -1815.[1]
Outeniqua Transport Museum
Museum in George, South Africa. The Outeniqua Transport Museum is a railway museum located in George, South Africa.
The Outeniqua Railway Museum is one of Transnet Heritage Foundation museums. Situated in the former PX-goods shed in George, the museum opened on 24 September 1998.
The museum collection consists of a total of 21 steam locomotives and a total of 22 coaches among other vehicles.[2]
Address: 2 Mission Road, 6530 George
St Mark's Cathedral
Anglican church in George, South Africa. Cathedral of St Mark in George in South Africa is the seat of the Diocese of George of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. The present bishop is Brian Melvin Marajh.[3]
Address: 116 York Street, 6529 George
Moederkerk
Also known as: NG gemeente George
Building in South Africa. The Moederkerk, is a place of worship of the Dutch Reformed Church in George. The church was built in 1842. The cornerstone for the church was laid on 14 April 1832. Slaves were used for some of the building work like the digging of the six-foot deep by five-foot wide foundations. Due to financial problems it took 12 years to complete the church and it was consecrated on 9 October 1842. Although a historical building, the church is still active and sermons are held every Sunday.[4]
Garden Route Botanical Garden
Also known as: Tuinroete Botaniese Tuin
Botanical garden in George, South Africa. The Garden Route Botanical Garden located in George, Western Cape and borders the Outeniqua Nature Reserve. The Garden focuses on plants native to the Southern Cape region. It also houses the South Cape Herbarium, an Indigenous Nursery, the Getafix Garden Cafe, and the Garden Route Environmental Education Centre. The GRBG is run by a private trust the GRBG Trust – a registered environmental NGO with PBO status.
It includes a nursery, an herbarium, the Moriarty Environmental Centre, and hiking trails. Waterfowl nest in the two dams left from the town's original water supply system. A bust of William John Burchell commemorates his visit to the newly founded town in 1811. In the past, the garden was known as the Van Kervel Nature Garden.[5]
Address: 49 Caledon Street, 6529 George