Things to Do in Barrington

This magnificent indigenous forest trail leads down to enormous rock pools. Pack your rucksack with a picnic and swimming costume. Amble through the forest and learn its secrets. You will be blown away once the forest canopy opens to reveal the beautiful pools sparkling in the sunlight. It is roughly a 40-minute walk there. The last 10 minutes are rather steep but manageable for most people. Suitable for kids who are able to swim.Need to know? Since this is an ecologically sensitive area, permits from SANParks (South African National Parks) are needed. Only 12 persons per day are permitted. It is patrolled and fines are issued where appropriate. Pre-book your chosen date in advance directly with Cathy at Sanparks (044 302 5606). Permits can also be obtained from the permit hut at the entrance to Goudveld Forest, or enquire at Forest Edge Nature Lovers’ Retreat reception.Source: Forest Edge Nature Lovers’ Retreat

A top spot for families, Jubilee Creek is probably the most beautiful picnic spot in the indigenous Knysna forest. Situated alongside a stream in two forest clearings, this site is very popular with young families. The stream is perfect for playing, exploring and walks along the river. Hidden in the forest, you might even sight a rare Knysna elephant - one of the Knysna elephants was actually seen here in March 2007!

Following an old mining path along the Forest Creek, the Circles in a Forest Hiking Trail beckons hikers to explore the loveliness of the Goudveld Forest. This genuine forest experience is suitable for families and people of all ages, offering two trail options starting at Krisjan-se-Nek. Feel dwarfed as you pass the towering 600-year old Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. You can almost hear them whisper Oupoot, the name of the long lost heroine and matriarch elephant made famous by Dalene Matthee. This is truly the heart of the Knysna indigenous forest typified by giant Yellowwood trees, three-metre high tree ferns, Red-billed Wood-hoopoe, babbling streams, ancient ironwood trees, arum lilies, colourful mushroom and bracket fungi. Evidence of baboon, bush pig, porcupine and bushbuck can be seen everywhere. Keep glancing up to the treetops and you might spot a Knysna loerie. Formerly called the Woodcutters Trail, this route is named after one of Dalene Matthee’s famous novels. The three and nine kilometre trails range from easy to moderate and are manageable for anyone over the age of five.

Every Saturday morning this authentic farmers' and producers market is brimming with the Garden Route's choicest locally produced foods, both the take-home and breakfast variety. Wild Oats Community Farmers Market is situated on the outskirts of the tiny coastal village of Sedgefield adjacent to the beautiful Swartvlei Lagoon. Earning numerous awards, the small and rustic market continues to attract enthusiastic proud locals and discerning travelers who come to grab a hearty breakfast, and purchase local produce, food, art and curios. This vibrant initiative draws people from diverse backgrounds together for an unusual festive gathering with an emphasis on important educational experiences – local food sources, nutrition, environmental awareness and agricultural issues. Open every Saturday 07:30 – 11:30 in summer, 08:00 – 11:30 in winter.

Cola Beach is one of Sedgefield’s five beautiful beaches, all running into each other starting at Swartvlei Beach in the west to Platbank in the east. It never gets crowded, even in peak season. At low tide, it’s easy to walk the 6 km stretch. Access to Cola Beach is via a long boardwalk with a decent viewpoint and bench at the top. Rock and surf fishing is a popular activity, with a number of good spots at rocky points towards Platbank and Groenvlei.

One of the Garden Route’s best-kept secrets, the golden sandy beach at Myoli has much to offer. The beach itself is conveniently situated near a restaurant, beach bar, parking and a good selection of holiday accommodation. Myoli Beach is one of the top wave-riding beaches along this coast, drawing surfers, kite surfers, wake boarders and stand-up paddlers. It’s also a great place to chill out, sip on cocktails at the PiliPili Beach Bar, spot dolphins or watch whales from the observation platform.

Sedgefield Beach is an easy stroll down a boardwalk from the parking area. This family-friendly beach offers great swimming in the lagoon mouth and has spectacular views. Also known as Kingfisher Creek, the lagoon is a fun spot for little kids to paddle about. Picnic alongside the estuary – there is shelter from prevailing wind and you can easily spend the entire day here. Ablution and shower facilities are easily accessible.

Swartvlei Beach is an amazing sandy beach for walking or horse riding – make sure you go all the way to Gericke’s Point. The walk to the point offers great opportunities for whale and dolphin watching. Look out for pods of common, bottlenose and humpback dolphins surfing the waves. Southern Right whales can be seen from July to October. This spectacular beach is also the breeding ground for the rare African Black Oyster Catcher. There are some lovely safe swimming spots but exercise caution – there can be riptides and dangerous currents.

Get far away from the madding crowds and discover one of the Garden Route’s best kept secrets. Long kept under wraps, this gentle and serene protected coastal reserve is guaranteed to nurture your soul. Goukamma Nature Reserve incorporates a long beach, extensive high dune field, the Goukamma River and estuary as well as the self-contained Groenvlei Lake. The coastline stretches for 14 km and the adjoining marine protected area extends out to the ocean for 1.8 km. Bring your snorkelling gear and explore the lovely rock pools at Rowwehoek. A network of hiking trails traverses a diverse range of habitats for birds, mammals and marine life. Cape clawless otter, grysbok, bushbuck, bush pig, porcupine, bushbaby, Cape dune mole rat, caracal and honey badger all live in this paradise. Most of the animals are quite timid and difficult to spot but you will see plenty of droppings and spoor on the trails. The coastline offers excellent whale watching from July to December and dolphins are frequently spotted surfing the waves. The area is great for birdwatching with more than 220 recorded bird species. The Goukamma River has a number of picnic sites and braai spots. Bring your own firewood.

Popular with locals and nature lovers, Gericke’s Point is one of the Garden Route’s best-kept secrets. You can easily spend an entire day in this stunning and fascinating place. This rocky landmark resembles a lion’s head and the top offers a great vantage point to watch Southern Right whales during their calving season. You might even see the resident pod of Humpback dolphins that frequent the Swartvlei bay. Shy of boats, they avoid harbour areas and that is probably why they keep returning to this lovely quiet bay. Gericke’s Point has impressive weathered sandstone cliffs that are actually fossilised dunes – some of the highest dunes in South Africa are right here. Colonies of Cape and White Breasted Cormorants nest on the cliffs. Seagulls, herons and oystercatchers can often be seen from the shore. At low tide the exposed rock pools are fascinating to explore – take along the excellent Two Oceans - field guide to South Africa's marine life. The deeper pools are great for snorkeling and swimming. Keen for a nocturnal beach adventure? Do a guided ‘Moonlight Meander’ from Swartvlei Beach to Gericke’s Point with local expert, Judy Dixon and witness the nocturnal antics of rocky coastline creatures. Moonlight Meander & Starlight Stroll – contact Judy Dixon +27 (0) 44 883 1015

This five-hour trail isn’t for slackers but offers some gorgeous scenery. Spectacular views of the Goukamma coast, dune fynbos, scrub woodland and distant Outeniqua Mountains offer a unique hiking experience. The one-way trail starts at the Goukamma River picnic site entrance and follows the Goukamma Circular Route after crossing the river on a small boat pont. Telltale signs of bontebok, porcupine, bushpig, genet and other small animals litter the pathways. Hikers traverse over the extensive dune fields that boast some of the highest vegetated dunes in South Africa. The route then winds through dense Milkwood forest thought to be over 600 years old. Keen birders should lookout for rare Bluemantled Flycatchers as well as other forest specials. Eventually the trail leads to the shore of Groenvlei Lake where Fish Eagles are often seen and heard. This entirely self-contained fresh water lake is perfect for a refreshing dip after the day’s explorations. Booking is not necessary but permits are required. Transport needs to be arranged at Groenvlei Conservation Station where the trail ends.

One of South Africa's best golfing destinations, Simola boasts overwhelming views and an outstanding Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Breathtaking vistas of the Knysna Heads on one side and the Knysna River on the other make it difficult to focus on the game. But in the midst of all this beauty, the course offers challenging and rewarding golf amidst spectacular scenery. Simola was one of the first Jack Nicklaus designs on the Garden Route, reflecting the maestro's philosophy of adjusting the layout and design to the natural features of the landscape. Fairways flow along the rising and falling natural landscape and every hole offers superlative views of the Knysna Lagoon all the way to the Heads or across the pretty meandering Knysna River and valley below.

Monkey about and swing like Tarzan in the treetops between Wilderness and Sedgefield. Acrobranch will have you moving from tree to tree doing fun exercises that test your balance, strength and focus. Acrobranch's WildWoods Tree Adventure is suitable for anyone between 2 to 77 years or older. +27 (0) 78 251 4458 www.acrobranch.co.za

Timberlake is a village of specialist cabin-style shops in the heart of the Garden Route. Here you can shop for sweet and spicy treats, cheese, wine, health products, ‘Faerie’ gems, and plants at Eden Nursery. Stop at Cafe d'Afrique coffee shop for award-winning cheesecake, Zucchini restaurant for hearty country-style meals, the Country Deli for traditional South African takeaways, and the Oyster Shack for fresh wild coastal oysters. Timberlake supports local producers and the Slow Food principles of good, clean and fair. Salad ingredients are picked fresh from their onsite organic gardens. Extensive kids facilities include a racetrack, jungle gym, trampoline, tame goats, the Fantasy Garden walk and more. www.timberlakeorganic.co.za

Set within the stunning Wilderness National Park and on the shores of Langvlei, the Malachite Bird Hide is definitely worth a visit for twitchers and nature lovers. Spend some time watching the numerous waterfowl, kingfishers and other birds in this beautiful environment.

Get on your bike for an awesome 19-kilometre trip through Knysna’s Goudveld Forest. Starting at the Goudveld Forest Station, the circular Homtini Trail weaves along fairly relaxed contours in the indigenous forest and plantation. With only one steep four-kilometre climb to make you gasp for breath it is considered a moderate ride. Starting and ending at Krisjan-se-nek picnic spot, the route offers some lovely exhilarating single-track slip-paths, shady jeep tracks and sweeping elevated views of the mountainous landscape and distant Knysna Heads. Permits can be obtained at the Goudveld boom before the Krisjan-se-nek picnic site.

Locals claim that one of the most wonderful beaches in the world lies right on the other side of the Knysna Western Heads, in Brenton-on-Sea. There are rocks to clamber on, little pools to cool off in and a long bay for beach walks and shell seeking. Hot Tip: walk to Buffels Bay, have lunch or an icecream, take a shower, and stroll back.

Only accessible by ferry, Featherbed Nature Reserve is a privately-owned unspoiled headland at the Western Head of the Knysna Lagoon. Visitors young and old will thoroughly enjoy embarking on a spectacular four-hour eco-experience to this exquisite little corner of the Garden Route. This outdoor experience includes a return ferry trip, nature drive, guided walk and a lavish buffet lunch at the Food Forest Restaurant. Access to the reserve is strictly controlled and visits are only permitted in the company of the Featherbed Nature Reserve's specialist guides.Starting with a 25-minute ferry cruise, your local guide will share intriguing tales about the Knysna Lagoon, early shipping industry and Knysna’s oyster cultivation.The cruise is followed by a 4x4 drive to the top of the Western Head where supreme views of the lagoon, mountains and Knysna can be seen. After the drive, you have the option of walking a 2.2 kilometre downhill guided nature trail. This fun family outing ends with with a blowout buffet lunch at the popular Knysna restaurant under the milkwood trees.The four-hour excursion departs daily from Knysna Waterfront. Bookings are essential.

One of the least demanding walks in the Wilderness area, the 5 km Brownhooded Kingfisher Trail follows the meandering course of the Duiwe River. Lush river woodlands line the riverbanks and the path crosses the river frequently. Take care when crossing after the river has flooded – particularly on wet slippery rocks. After a short distance the trail branches off along the tree-lined Klein Keurbooms River to the turning point – a beautiful rock pool. This lovely setting is perfect for a leisurely picnic and cooling off on a hot day. Knysna turacos are frequently heard and seen flapping between the treetops. Other birds to look out for are fish eagles, Martial eagles, Cape Battis, Burchell’s Coucal, Cape robin, little egrets and the brownhooded kingfisher. Permits are self-issuing at the entrance gate. A small fee is usually charged in peak season.

Knysnarians know about good watering holes and you'll certainly find plenty of them at the vibey Bosun's Pub and Grill, lips curled around a frosty or tucking into a hearty meal. This old style English pub serves locally brewed ale and value-for-money scrumptious pub grub! You'll find all the local Mitchell‘s Brewery products here – on tap and bottled, ranging from Bosun‘s Bitter, Foresters and the new Mitchell‘s Gold. So get down there and sluk a pint or two in this comfy, cosy pub and be warmed by the great atmosphere and friendly people.