The town of Knysna, clustered around a vast tidal lagoon which
opens to the sea through a narrow inlet guarded by two sandstone
cliffs known as 'The Heads', is the hub of the Garden Route,
drawing more visitors than it can cope with, particularly during
the peak summer holiday season. The town has an interesting
history, having started as a point of export for timber cut from
the surrounding dense forests (which have been badly denuded as a
result). In the early 19th century the town was almost solely owned
by the enigmatic character George Rex, who was believed to be the
illegitimate son of King George III of England. Rex fathered 13
children and is a legend in the Knysna area. The town features some
quaint Victorian houses, a modern commercial waterfront
development, a lovely sandy beach at Leisure Island on the east
side of the lagoon, and some good shopping for local arts and
crafts in the crowded town centre. There are some lovely scenic
drives through the remaining indigenous forests in the area, and
sampling Knysna oysters and locally brewed Mitchell's beer is
highly recommended.
