About Great Brak

Great Brak, Garden Route

Whilst the adjectives - peaceful and tranquil - have been bandied about when referring to holiday locations, when applied to Great Brak they take on new meaning. This little village, just a few kilometres from both Mossel Bay and George, is without doubt tranquil and beautiful.

Great Brak has unspoilt beaches, a lagoon that is safe to swim in and generous sea views. The stillness experienced along the banks of the Great Brak river, which also offers a number of picnic spots, has led to this little town being much sought after by those wanting to escape it all. Great Brak is called such because of the brackish water of the Brak Rivers - the lagoon mouth is divided into two sandy channels with a small island between them.

This charming, little island has become a place of refuge to many seeking solitude and has a number of holiday cottages and homes on it. It is linked to the mainland by a single-lane bridge and tiny lanes lead between the houses down to the sandy beach. The village of Great Brak dates back to 1859, the year in which a toll-bridge was built over the river.

Interesting things to do include the Great Brak River Museum, in the old school house built in 1902, the Watson Shoe Factory - the reason for the town's existence - and an example of the largest Pepper tree in South Africa. There is a circular route, outlining history and culture, through the village, and Southern Right and other whales visit the shore from May through November.