- Province: Western Cape
- District: Garden Route
- Coordinates:33°58′50″S 23°33′33″E
- Area:1.14 km2
- Municipality: Bitou
Nature’s Valley is a small seaside settlement in the Western Cape, situated within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route.
The village lies near the mouth of the Groot River, where the river forms a lagoon before entering the Indian Ocean. Nature’s Valley is surrounded by dense indigenous forest and protected landscapes that form part of the Tsitsikamma National Park. The settlement is located near the eastern end of the Otter Trail, one of South Africa’s best-known coastal hiking routes.
History of Nature’s Valley
Nature’s Valley has been inhabited for thousands of years. The coastline surrounding Nature’s Valley shows evidence of Stone Age life existing there about one million years ago. San Hunters are known to have inhabited the area 10,000 years ago. They were displaced by Khoikhoi herders who migrated from the interior. About 400 years ago, the Qua and later the Houteniqua (Strandloper) peoples lived here.
The area was impenetrable because of the deep gorges preventing east-west traffic. In the 1800s there was no easy route from Plettenberg Bay to Tsitsikamma.
Road built by the famous Thomas Bain
Thomas Bain, the renowned road builder, completed a road from George to Knysna. This provided better access to the coastal area. Nature’s Valley joined the known world when the Grootrivier pass was completed in 1880.
On surveying the area in 1868, Bains felt he could help prevent some of the destruction of the forests by the Dutch East India Company woodcutters, who had been in the area since the late 1700s. When the road was complete, the forestry department proclaimed lots in the valley. The first person to settle here was Hendrik Barnado. He went to great lengths to protect the forest.
Eventually, Barnado sold part of the farm to a syndicate in 1941, and the remainder of the farm was bought in 1943. A Township was declared in 1953. Electricity was connected only in 1986. Today, the Village comprises the original 426 erven with 397 houses.
Nature’s Valley lies at the end of the famous five-day Otter Trail. The lagoon is the dominant feature of this little secluded coastal village. The town is surrounded by Indigenous forest and the Garden Route National Park,
The postcode for Nature’s Valley is 6602
Resources
Practical information for the Western Cape, regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide
Useful Numbers in Nature’s Valley
Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities
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Emergency Services
- Police: 10111/ 044 501 1900
- Fire: 044 533 5000
- Ambulance: 10177 Medlife Private Ambulance 044 533 6444
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Medical
- Closest hospital: Knysna Provincial Hospital 044 302 8400
- clinic 044 501 3700/1/4 Plettenberg Bay
- Pharmacy; Alpha Pharm Plettenberg Bay – 044 533-2278
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Municipal & Utilities
- Bitou Municipality General inquiries 044 501 3000
- Water:044 501 3000
- Electricity:086 003 7566/ 044 501 4103/4
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Transport & Roads
- Traffic department:044 501 3240 / 3251 Plettenberg Bay
- Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
- Childline-116
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Community & Safety
- 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape: 0861 555 777.
- NSRI 087 094 9774
- SPCA: PAWS Animal welfare 083 287 9917
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Local Contacts and Community Resources
- Post office; Plettenberg bay044 533 1260
- Library:044 501 3130
- Other towns and suburbs in the Bitou district include: Harkerville, Keurbooms River, Keurboomstrand, Kranshoek, Kurland village, Plettenberg Bay and Wittedrift.
- Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
Learn more about the project HERE
