|
Knoetzie Castles
Tour and picnic on the beach :
Noetzie Beach is a pristine, secluded beach which lies in a hidden bay bordered by the lush forest of the
Sinclair Nature Reserve on one side and the fynbos landscapes of Pezula Resort Estate on the other.
It owes its seclusion to the fact that it is accessed along a gravel road from Knysna’s N2 and a steep climb
from the parking area down a narrow path and a flight of stairs in the cliff. It boasts a beautiful lagoon formed
by the mouth of the Noetzie River, which meanders through the Knysna forest.
The beach is famous for the Noetzie Castles originally built in the 1930s, by a Rhodesian man, Henderson, two
of which have been restored.
It is a small beach with an expanse of golden sand protected on the north and south sides by rocky outcrops.
From June to November whale sightings are common as the Southern Right and Humpback whales migrate
into the coastal waters of the Western Cape to calve and nurse their young.
For many it is because of the ‘castles’ which have intrigued visitors over the years and the first question nearly every visitor asks is:
Who built them?”
Many
of the houses at Noetzie have been in the same family for generations and today’s youngsters swim, fish,scramble over rocks
nd frolic in the sand just as their grandparents and great –grandparents once did.
The
oldest house in Noetzie (including the castles) is “North’s Cottage”, a little wood and iron cottage that was built early in the
0th century, and which the fifth generation of North descendants still enjoy as a holiday home.
Herbert
Stephen Henderson, who lived in what was then Southern Rhodesia, built the oldest castle, at the end of the beach,
as a holiday house. He started building it in 1930 out of the local natural stone .
The
story goes that he had no intention of building a“castle”, but simply used the stone for practical reasons, when Rex Metelerkamp,
a member of a well-known local family, who was watching the building, jokingly said “All you need to do is to add a few turrets and
you’ll have a castle”. And he did!
His
son Ian built Montrose in the 1970’s and the Lindsays built “ Perekuil “, now known as Lindsay Castle, in the1960’s.
Noetzie is a conservancy. It is one of few places where natural beauty remains untouched,and where you can
ind the rare African black oystercatcher, as well as bushbuck, otters, and birds living as they should.
Noetzie
has been voted one of the top beaches in South Africa. Swimming isn't particularly safe because of
unpredictable currents, but the lagoon, the incredible rock formations, and remoteness makes it a unique and spectacular haven.
Noetzie
is 15 min drive out of town and with your guide you will explore Noetzie. Entrances to the castles are not guaranteed as
they form holiday accommodation.
After
the castles the guide will set up your umbrella on the exclusive beach together with your carefully prepared picnic basket and
blanket
The
guide will assist with beach activities or swimming in the lagoon as the sea is not safe due to currents.
Pick up at top parking lot is at 12;30 for morning tour and 4:45 pm for afternoon tour back to the Shell
Station in Knysna.
