HAROLD PORTERBetty's Bay, South Africa
PO Box 35, Betty's Bay, 7141
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Tel : +27 28 272 9311 |
This beautiful, secluded garden is set between mountain and sea, in the heart of the Cape fynbos region and encompasses 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural fynbos. It is only 100 kilometres from Cape Town on the R44 coastal road, at the western end of the Garden Route. See route map.
Garden Entry Ticket Prices Garden Hours
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Situated in the centre of the coastal fynbos where the flora is at its
richest, the garden encompasses mountain slopes with their wind-clipped
heathlands, deep gorges with relict forests, flats and marshes with restios,
sedges and bulbs, as well as dunes adjacent to the beach with their specialised
salt-adapted plants. The garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber
pools. See the seasonal highlights of this special
garden. Read more about the Garden's history.
The main fynbos families (proteas, ericas and restios) are present as
well as other important families such as irises, daisies and orchids.
The garden boasts Disa uniflora in its natural habitat (flowering
from mid-December to end of January) as well as the national flower, the
king protea (Protea cynaroides). Take a virtual
tour of the garden.
There are approximately 88 species of birds, including
the Orange-Breasted Sunbird and the rare Protea Canary, found only in
the fynbos, present in the garden. Other wildlife,
including mongoose, porcupines and genets are common but shy. For more information see - Havens of Biodiversity - a booklet describing biodiversity in the 9 National Botanical Gardens (.pdf file)
There are indigenous plants on sale.
A tuckshop offers tea, coffee, scones, crisps and cooldrinks from 9:00 to 16:30.
There is a souvenir shop (Tel: 028 272 9400, Fax: 028 272 9406, Email: honeybush@telkomsa.net) with a lovely array of gifts and books on plants and natural history. Parking is available for 90 cars and buses.
The garden has several kilometres of nature trails which provide scenic views of mountains and coastline.
New Developments at Harold Porter
We been fortunate enough to procure funding to develop our visitor facilities further. These will include a new, larger restaurant as well as a major and minor hall which may be hired for various events and conferences, adding to the range of activities we can offer in the garden. The parking area will be paved and formalised to allow additional parking space. We apologise for any incovenience these new developments may cause our visitors, but are sure, that once complete, they will add considerably to the enjoyment and experience of all who visit the garden.
