There are strongly contrasting threads woven into the tapestry of Plettenberg Bay’s history. The ‘strandlopers’ were attracted to this stretch of coast by the temperate climate, the natural shelters cut into cliffs by pounding seas, the abundant fresh water and the plentiful game, fish and large marine animals to provide skins. Majestic natural beauty abounds.

The coast is rich in caves and middens that prove the existence of people in this area over the last 120 000 years. The two most important excavated sites are Nelson’s Bay Cave at Robberg and the Matjes River Rock Shelter at Keurboomstrand, one of the largest in the world. It was used as a burial site, and the remains of about 100 people and important artefacts have been found, but today these are scattered around the world. When archaeologists recovered the remains of an 11 year-old child in the Nelson Bay Cave, radio-carbon tests on the ribs dated the bones to 70 000 years BC! “This is the first accurately-dated human burial to be recovered from South Africa.”– Inskeep.

There is the colourful period of the Portugese explorers of the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries. The early Dutch and British governors used the indigenous forest as a storehouse to relieve the chronic shortage of timber at the Cape. The first Dutch, German, English and French woodsmen, hunters, stock farmers and optimistic traders formed the foundation of the more solid and lasting communities. Many locals are descendants of the pioneers who first settled in the Bay Beautiful between one and two centuries ago.

The 200 year old “Old Rectory”, which adjoins the ruins of the Timber Store, has varied and fascinating past. An eminent Dutch historian declared it to be “one of the most exciting historical remnants in the whole of South Africa”. The people of Plett intend to turn this run-down building into a Heritage Centre. All the artefacts, currently scattered across the globe, will then be brought back to their rightful place. Plett also has a rich heritage relating to the history of the Griqua people.

Where the first tourists landed 70 000 years B.C!

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Open: All year round
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