
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).

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

This holiday season, visitors can also look forward to amazing local events like:
Date | Event name | Town | Contact person | Contact/email/website |
19-23 December 2022 | Apa Amanzi Deepsea Angling Competition | Stilbaai | Tilana Coetzee | 072 445 9763 |
21-23 December 2022 | Hessequa Art Exhibition | Jongensfontein | Anita McLaughlin | 082 929 0166 |
21 December 2022 | Lappiesbaai 10 KM Run | Stilbaai | Nico Steenekamp | 083 264 3071 |
21 December 2022 | Live Performance: Millennium Band | Witsand Angling Club | carl@wine-ways.co.za | |
22 December 2022 | Bertie Barnard Color Run | Stilbaai | Mariska van Wyk | 028 754 1042 |
22 December 2022 | Stilbaai Sandcastle Competition | Stilbaai Lappiesbaai | 082 872 8825 | |
23 December 2022 | Gourits-hond 10 KM Run | Gouritsmond | Marlene Smit | 083 359 8206 |
23 December 2022 | Live Performance: Viljoen Retief | Witsand Angling Club | carl@wine-ways.co.za | |
24 December 2022 | Jurisch Park Saturday Market | Riversdale | Antoinette Swart | 073 092 3782 |
24 December 2022 | Stilbaai Brugmark | Stilbaai | ||
24 December 2022 | CANSA Float Competition | Stilbaai | CANSA Western Cape | 080 022 6622 |
26 December 2022 | Stilbaai Touchies | Stilbaai | Grahame Bobrow | 082 492 3683 |
26 December 2022 | Witsand River Derby | Witsand | PK Uys | 072 443 3693 |
26-27 December 2022 | Rocking Stilbaai | Stilbaai | Anna-Marie Buys | 082 617 6226 |
26 December 2022 | Witsand River Derby | Witsand | PK Uys | 072 443 3693 |
27 December 2022 | Stilbaai Boeresport Day | Stilbaai Lappiesbaai-strand | Hendrik Truter | 082 332 6038 |
27 December 2022 | Stilbaai Beach Treasure Hunt | Stilbaai Lappiesbaai-strand | Carel-J | 084 071 7663 |
27 December 2022 | Live Performance: Fatman | Witsand Angling Club | carl@wine-ways.co.za | |
28 December 2022 | Stilbaai Adventure 6KM Night Run | Stilbaai | Eugene van der Walt | 082 073 8566 |
28 December 2022 | Live Performance: Juanita; Franja & Runa | Stilbaai Community Hall | Johan Cronje | 083 309 3894 |
29 December 2022 | Live Performance: Steve Hoffmeyer | Stilbaai Community Hall | Johan Cronje | 083 309 3894 |
29 December 2022 | Live Performance: Arjo Jordaan | Witsand Angling Club | carl@wine-ways.co.za | |
29 December 2022 | Gouritz Trans Agulhas Boat Challenge Arrival | Gouritsmond | events@trans-agulhas.com | |
29 December 2022 | Stilbaai Trans Agulhas Boat Challenge Arrival | Stilbaai | events@trans-agulhas.com | |
29 December 2022 | Witsand Sea Derby | Witsand | PK Uys | 072 443 3693 |
30 December 2022 | Live Performances: Burger le Roux | Witsand Angling Club | carl@wine-ways.co.za | |
31 December 2022 | Live Performances: Broers | Witsand Angling Club | carl@wine-ways.co.za | |
31 December 2022 | NSRI 10 KM Run | Stilbaai | Nico Steenekamp | 083 264 3071 |
31 December 2022 | Windpomp Sjerrie MTB | Stilbaai | Jan Heenop | 082 455 2875 |
07 January 2023 | Jurisch Park Saturday Market | Riversdale | Antoinette Swart | 073 092 3782 |
Experience Hessequa Summer Moments this holiday season by visiting the beautiful Hessequa region.
