Gouritsmond

• Province : Western Cape
• District: Garden Route
• Municipality: Hessequa
• Area: 3.24 km2

p>Jump to:History of Gouritsmond |Things to See and Do in Gouritsmond |Useful Numbers in Gouritsmond

Gouritsmond is a small coastal town in the Garden Route District of the Western Cape, South Africa. It lies at the mouth of the Gouritz River, about 43 km southeast of Mossel Bay and approximately 90 km west of George. The town sits where the Gouritz River meets the Indian Ocean and is accessed via the R325 from the N2 highway. Gouritsmond functions as a holiday destination and residential village, with the river estuary forming a central natural feature.

History of Gouritsmond

Long before European farmers arrived in the 1730s, the area was populated by the indigenous Khoi-Khoi Gouriqua people, after whom the river is named. There is evidence of “seafood braais” going back at least 2000 years.

However, when Portuguese explorers mapped the southern tip of Africa in the late 15th century, the Henricus Martellus map of 1489 labelled the river mouth as “Rio de la Vache” (The River of Cows). It is believed that the explorers saw huge herds of cattle being grazed along the riverbanks by the local nomadic herders

The village grew from a small fishing settlement to a little town. Farmers first settled in the area of the Gouritz River mouth, where they grazed their sheep and cattle. Before it was formally proclaimed a town in 1915, the area was affectionately known simply as “The Fisheries“. Local inland farmers would trek down to the river mouth during holidays to fish. Later, the name changed from Gouritsriviermond to Gouritsmond.  Only in 1983 was there any access by tar road. The roads had previously been gravel surfaced with 25 gates along the way, which had to be opened and closed again after passing through. This limited access to the town, but the construction of a tar road made it more accessible.

• Find a list of ships that have wrecked in the area
• Gouritsmond is a naturally beautiful, unspoiled little coastal gem hidden off the beaten track, where fynbos and rare birds flourish.
• The license plate prefix for Gouritsmond is CCC and the postcode  is 6696

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Things to See and Do in Gouritsmond

• There are great opportunities for water sports, which are popular with holidaymakers
• Hessequa art route
• Walking trails are family-friendly and accessible. There are four of them. A 1.6km, a 3km, a 5km and an 8km trail. There are more than 200 plant species, 14 of which are endangered, and there are more than 235 bird species
• The Gouritsmond Commonage Walking Trails showcase an amazing amount of biodiversity for such a small area. A short walk over the boardwalks takes you through five distinct ecological biomes intersecting at the river mouth: Saltmarsh, Coastal Strandveld, Dune Thicket, Transitional Fynbos, and Protea Fynbos. It is a vital sanctuary for 14 endangered plant species and the rare Poecilmitis Brooksi Teari butterfly
• In the village, you will find a formal public stone memorial dedicated to a dog named Kit.  He was a stray, ownerless dog who roamed the streets of Gouritsmond for years. Instead of being chased away, he became the entire village’s collective pet, loved by every resident. When he passed away in November 2004, the community built him a permanent tombstone.

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

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Useful Numbers in Gouritsmond

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

• Emergency Services

• Police: Albertinia 028 735 1006
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital: Albertinia Clinic 028 745 3402
• Pharmacy; Mossel Bay 044 691 1835

• Municipal & Utilities

• Municipality: 028 713 8000
• Municipal Emergency Number: 084 014 1828

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department:  028 713 7817

• Community & Safety

• NSRI 087 094 9774

• Local Contacts and Community Resources in Gouritsmond

• Post office; Agency 028 745 3402
• Library: 028 713 7934