Boesmansriviermond (original) (raw)

Boesmansriviermond, Sunshine Coast

Boesmansriviermond, or Bushman's River Mouth, lies just across the Bushman's River from Kenton-on-Sea.

It's less in demand than Kenton-on-Sea, but is no less pretty, with plenty of holiday homes spread along the banks of the second longest tidal river in the country, and only a few conveniences like a post office and grocery store (those who own homes here like it this way).

The towns feature two tidal rivers providing hours of fishing and birding activities.

Boesmansriviermond has been a holiday resort ever since the mid 1800s when farmers from the towns of Paterson, Cookhouse, Cradock and Somerset East used to wagon it down here in their holiday breaks over the Christmas season.

You will hear the locals refer to Riversbend, possibly where these wagons once lodged, as one of the more sought after areas of town, with views across the river and out to sea.

There is a bridge linking the two villages on the R72, which diverts off the N2 where it joins the N10 at an interchange at Nanaga, just north east of Colchester. The other route to Boesmansriviermond is the R343 off the N2 just south of Grahamstown.

Kwaai Hoek, a beautiful cave-like rock formation, is a gentle 2 km walk along the beach from Bushmans River Mouth. Kwaai means 'cross' in Afrikaans. Get caught in amongst these rocks when the sea is rough and things could get a little difficult. Not far from Kwwi Hoek is the Dias Cross Memorial - a stone pillar put here by Portuguese sailors led by Bartolomeu Dias.

Boesmansriviermond boasts a slipway and a beach, where you will find parking. Both the river and the beach are good for swimming, and sailboarding is popular when the wind is up at high tide at the river mouth.

Just outside town is a wetland system that captures the inflow from a small stream, but when there is a deluge, as there was in 2012, the system overflows and the water gushes into the Boesmans River, right through the lower part of town.

The Bushman's River Canoe Trail is an overnight trail 15 km upstream on the banks of the tidal river to a basic overnight hut. You will need all of your bedding and supplies but the wooden hut, deep within the trees of the banks of the river, is a complete getaway from it all. To book contact the Kenton Marina.