hessequa summer moments

Oudebosch Farm – Riversdale

HESSEQUA SUMMER MOMENTS – The Hessequa region is branded from a tourism perspective as The Explorer’s Garden Route due to its authentic and off-the-beaten-track tourism experiences.

Hessequa is the entrance to the world famous Garden Route and is home to unique experiences like a World Heritage Site (Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve); a world first Fynbos Gin (Inverroche Distillery); the second largest collection of Thomas Bowler paintings (Julius Gordon Africana Centre) and the BIG 5 (Garden Route Game Lodge).

Witsand – Photograph by Annatjie Gunter

The region has been voted as South Africa’s top destination during the 2022 South Africa Tourism Awards, a private initiative which aims to promote local tourism.

The Explorer’s Garden Route – as an affordable destination – offers many experiences under R75 per person, including:

1. Julius Gordon Africana Centre – No entry fee
2. Stilbaai Museum of Archaeology – No entry fee
3. Albertinia Museum – No entry fee
4. Baleia Wine Tasting
5. Feeding Tame Eels
6. Hiking the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
7. Picnic under a Champion Whispering Tree – No entry fee
8. Beach picnic at the Witsand Beach
9. Light House tour at Gourikwa Nature Reserve
10. Visiting a Botanical Garden with a Braille Trail – No entry fee

Jongensfontein – Photograph by Cinematic Solutions SA

This holiday season, visitors can also look forward to amazing local events like:

DateEvent nameTownContact personContact/email/website
19-23 December 2022Apa Amanzi Deepsea Angling CompetitionStilbaaiTilana Coetzee072 445 9763
21-23 December 2022Hessequa Art ExhibitionJongensfonteinAnita McLaughlin082 929 0166
21 December 2022Lappiesbaai 10 KM RunStilbaaiNico Steenekamp083 264 3071
21 December 2022Live Performance: Millennium BandWitsand Angling Club carl@wine-ways.co.za
22 December 2022Bertie Barnard Color RunStilbaaiMariska van Wyk028 754 1042
22 December 2022Stilbaai Sandcastle CompetitionStilbaai Lappiesbaai082 872 8825
23 December 2022Gourits-hond 10 KM RunGouritsmondMarlene Smit083 359 8206
23 December 2022Live Performance: Viljoen RetiefWitsand Angling Club carl@wine-ways.co.za
24 December 2022Jurisch Park Saturday MarketRiversdaleAntoinette Swart073 092 3782
24 December 2022Stilbaai BrugmarkStilbaai  
24 December 2022CANSA Float CompetitionStilbaaiCANSA Western Cape080 022 6622
26 December 2022Stilbaai TouchiesStilbaaiGrahame Bobrow082 492 3683
26 December 2022Witsand River DerbyWitsandPK Uys072 443 3693
26-27 December 2022Rocking StilbaaiStilbaaiAnna-Marie Buys082 617 6226
26 December 2022Witsand River DerbyWitsandPK Uys072 443 3693
27 December 2022Stilbaai Boeresport DayStilbaai Lappiesbaai-strandHendrik Truter082 332 6038
27 December 2022Stilbaai Beach Treasure HuntStilbaai Lappiesbaai-strandCarel-J084 071 7663
27 December 2022Live Performance: FatmanWitsand Angling Club carl@wine-ways.co.za
28 December 2022Stilbaai Adventure 6KM Night RunStilbaaiEugene van der Walt082 073 8566
28 December 2022Live Performance: Juanita; Franja & RunaStilbaai Community HallJohan Cronje083 309 3894
29 December 2022Live Performance: Steve HoffmeyerStilbaai Community HallJohan Cronje083 309 3894
29 December 2022Live Performance: Arjo JordaanWitsand Angling Club carl@wine-ways.co.za
29 December 2022Gouritz Trans Agulhas Boat Challenge ArrivalGouritsmond events@trans-agulhas.com 
29 December 2022Stilbaai Trans Agulhas Boat Challenge ArrivalStilbaai events@trans-agulhas.com 
29 December 2022Witsand Sea DerbyWitsandPK Uys072 443 3693
30 December 2022Live Performances: Burger le RouxWitsand Angling Club carl@wine-ways.co.za
31 December 2022Live Performances: BroersWitsand Angling Club carl@wine-ways.co.za
31 December 2022NSRI 10 KM RunStilbaaiNico Steenekamp083 264 3071
31 December 2022Windpomp Sjerrie MTBStilbaaiJan Heenop082 455 2875
07 January 2023 Jurisch Park Saturday MarketRiversdaleAntoinette Swart073 092 3782

Experience Hessequa Summer Moments this holiday season by visiting the beautiful Hessequa region.