The King Edward VII picnic site was and still is one of my favourites. This handful of secluded picnic spots with benches, tables and braai (fire) facilities in the heart of the forest are worth a visit. In the midst of this area you can see one of the biggest and oldest trees in the forest, an Outeniqua Yellowood, over 650 years old, standing 40m high and with a bole circumference of 7m this is a giant!
There is also a short 450m circular forest walk here. Following a wooden boardwalk, this walk is wheelchair and baby push car friendly. The 8km (circular) White Elephant Hiking Trail also passes through here if you want to do a longer trail.
Facilities: Water, bush toilet, tables and braai areas (take your own braai grid)
Managed by: SANParks
Permits/Costs: There is a control boom as you turn into the picnic site which is normally unmanned out of season. In season a minimal fee is charged for use of the picnic area. If you want to do the Elephant Hiking Trail please notify them at the boom or obtain a permit from the Diepwalle Forestry Station, turnoff to the right were you turned left to the picnic site.
Contact Numbers: Thesen Island Office – 044 302 5600
Directions: From Knysna take the N2 towards Plettenberg Bay. About 4km from Knysna take the R339 Uniondale turnoff to the left and follow this road for 15.8km and take the turnoff at the control boom to the left.
Coordinates: S33 57.383 E23 09.147
Please preserve our environment for our posterity by not littering.