Kaaimans River Railway Bridge

The railway bridge crosses the river mouth at the bottom of a deep gorge, which historically posed a significant challenge for pioneers transporting goods. Negotiating the gorge with ox wagons often required waiting for weeks to cross safely. The trail left by these wagons and oxen is still visible, though the gorge was known as a “wagon breaker.” By the late 18th century, a more efficient travel method was necessary. The 210-meter-long bridge, a remarkable feat of construction and engineering, was opened in 1928 and became vital for transporting wood from Knysna.

Preparation for the bridge’s construction took about 30 years, with actual construction beginning in 1925. The project involved building a temporary wooden bridge using long blue gum logs, likely sourced from Witfontein near George, These logs were too long for normal transportation, so wagon tops were removed, and the logs were tied and chained to the front and back wagon axles and wheels.

The bridge’s construction combined bridge-building and tunnelling technologies, with caissons sunk 23 meters below the riverbed and eight-meter pylons above. This was a significant achievement given the severe weather, regular flooding, rough seas, and labour issues faced by the engineers.

Railway tourism has been crucial for the economies of George and Knysna, supporting small businesses. Unfortunately, heavy floods in 2006 severely damaged the railway line, leading to its closure.

Despite this, Kaaimans River Gorge remains an ideal spot for hiking and whitewater kayaking. The river mouth offers good surfing opportunities.