Knysna Activities & Brenton Attractions

Pincushion Heights is the ideal base from which to explore all there is to do in Knysna and Brenton: activities, attractions, day trips; beaches, nature reserves and trails, restaurants, salons, museums, golf courses and adrenaline rush excusions.

Or you can stay in and laze with a book, enjoy a board game, have a massage or explore the on-site fynbos walk (we are situated right inside the Western Heads Goukamma Conservancy, home to unique fauna and flora, including the critically endangered Brenton Blue butterfly - Orachrysops niobe). Enjoy sundowners overlooking the lagoon or Buffalo Bay beach.

Locals will tell you, it takes years to scratch the surface of all there is on offer in the area!

Knysna Beaches

Choose from the blue-flag Buffalo Bay beach (also a great surfing spot), the Goukamma Reserve beach for long walks, Leisure Isle's gentle-wave lagoon beaches, Brenton-on-Sea near by, or even Sedgefield's Platbank beach with ichno-fossils for the keen eye.

Whether you are a body surfer, swimmer, sun lizard, a surfer or a sunrise walker - our beaches are clean, beautiful and often offer sightings of seals, dolphins or whales (the latter more often in Winter).

Guided Experiences

Enjoy whale-watching & sunset cruises, guided river gorge canoe trails, moonlight meander guided rock pool night trails, guided forest bathing experiences, Power Van, quad biking excursions, cultural township tours & lagoon ferry tours - you're in good hands.

There are oyster tours, sail boat charters, Scootours through the Knysna forest and self-guided Knysna Town Tours. The area offers endless guided experiences with well-trained, friendly local guides.

Knysna Adventure and Adrenaline activities

Adrenaline Rush

Tandem skydiving, hang-gliding, helicopter flights, canyoneering, kayaking, surfing or kitesurfing; a little further afield there is the famous bungee jump at Bloukrans River or you can drive the Prince Alfred's pass after heavy rain - many ways to get your heart rate up, meet other adventure junkies and return home with great photos and memories.

Gentler options include paddle-boating or canoeing down the Goukamma river or visiting Treetop Canopy Tours and other Ziplining operators.

Nature Trails

Starting right at Pincushion Heights, or at the Hoekwil Big Tree, Harkerville or Goudveld Sanparks forests, or further afield at the Robberg trail, you can enjoy a different walking trail (or biking route) each day and still not see them all! There are shaded forest walks, sunny beach walks and mountainbiking trails for every fitness level.

Animal Parks

Apart from nature reserves all around, one can visit various animal and bird parks for up close and personal encounters at The Knysna Elephant Park, The Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland, Tenikwa Wildlife, Birds of Eden, The Wolf Sanctuary and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary. A little further away is the Big 5 Plett Game Reserve.

Sedgefield Farmer's Market and Harkerville Markets

Markets & Festivals

The Knysna area is renowned for great markets from the internationally awarded Sedgefield Wild Oats Farmers' Market to the Harkerville market and the Friday night market. There are also various festivals dotted throughout the year like the wildly popular July Oyster Festival, the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras usually in winter & the Knysna Hill Climb.

The spaciousness and the exquisite fynbos gardens of Pincushion Heights, plus the eco-reserve trail right on the property, means that one can explore right from home. The sunset deck and bonfire boma areas offer great on-site outdoor seating.

Whether after a day's outing, or instead of it, simply relax to soothe the soul on views and space and grace.

"An absolute gem! Pincushion Heights is the prefect location; away from the crowds. It's close enough to go in to Knysna and a couple of minutes drive to Brenton Beach. Stunning views from the beautifully designed grounds; loved the sundowner deck. Charming and accommodating hosts. Apartment was are tastefully decorated and spotless."
- Janice Gombert

"With just an hour's drive from the George airport, Pincushion Heights is conveniently located for travelers. The hosts also had amazing suggestions of places to visit and things to do in the area. I would highly recommend staying at Pincushion Heights."
- Bronwyn Harris