Groot Jongensfontein

• Province: Western Cape
• District Garden Route
• Coordinates:34°26′S 21°20′E
• Area:2.34 km2
• Municipality­ – Hessequa

Groot-Jongensfontein is a small coastal settlement in the Hessequa municipal area of the Western Cape, South Africa. It lies about 10 km south of Stilbaai (Still Bay) along the Garden Route coast. The village sits on a low rocky shoreline and fynbos-covered slopes overlooking the Indian Ocean, with access via the R305 from the N2 highway. Groot-Jongensfontein is primarily a holiday and retirement area consisting mostly of private homes and a caravan park, and has limited commercial facilities, with most services available in nearby Stilbaai.

History of Jongensfontein

Hessequa is a Khoi-khoi word meaning “people of the trees.” It refers to an Indigenous tribe that lived within the area. Humans have lived in this area for millennia. There is evidence that domesticated cattle were introduced about 2000 years ago.
An expedition of Dutch settlers in 1713 discovered a freshwater spring near the beach; they also encountered the Khoi people. However, the Khoi population was decimated by smallpox that same year.
The oldest deed record of the area is dated 1762 and is for a farm, Swarte Jongens Fonteyn. The area, however, later became known as Groote Jongensfontein.

The spring that the early settlers found is a few hundred metres from the beach. Ryk Tulbagh granted Michiel Muller permission in 1762 to use the farm and its supply of fresh water for grazing. The farm became an erfpagplaas (perpetual tenure) for a group of farmers.

Jongensfontein has been a holiday destination ever since the spring was subdivided in 1916. 31 people got property rights and permission to build small mud and reed houses, which were sometimes leased as holiday accommodation. Later, mud houses made way for double-story holiday and retirement homes.
. Groot Jongensfontein and its sister town, Stillbaai could only be reached by boat. A ferry service was opened in 1932 over the Kaffirkuils River, which is now called the Gouka River. The ferry shuttle closed in 1951, but that year it carried 3000 vehicles over the river.

Things to see and do in Jongensfontein

• Hessequa art route
• The Jongensfontein Nature Reserve has some great hikes and trails. The Eden 4×4 Sand Route is a popular venue for camping and 4×4 enthusiasts. The “Speelgat” will test any driver’s skill and the performance of your vehicle. The Jongensfontein Municipal Caravan & Camping Park is well-maintained and affordable
• A  library has been opened in the historical roundabout, which is the oldest building in Jongensfontein, and it dates from 1932. The library operates based on borrowing a book or books, reading them at your home or caravan, and bringing them back. There is no supervision, and the Management relies on the honesty of borrowers. Feel free to bring books with you as a donation.
• 

https://www.facebook.com/Jongensfontein/

The postcode for Groot Jongensfontein is 6675 (boxes only)

weather in Groot Jongensfontein today

Browse businesses and places to visit in Groot Jongensfontein