It comes as no surprise then when observing these residents going about their business in a happy state of mind, which apparently also holds true to the mild weather patterns of the region. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mosselbay boasts the second mildest all-year climate in the world, after Hawaii.
But, these Garden Route residents have also endured their fair share of hardship, resulting from the worst droughts in this district of 132 years, that saw the region declared a disaster area in November 2009. So much so that huge funding of R210-million was pumped into a desalination plant completed in September 2010, catering for both future development and rescue plan for when the Wolwedans dam, its main water source, was projected to have run dry by October 2010. In contrast to all forecasts, the area made historic headlines during the same month when continued rainfall resulted in catchment areas filling up, now running close to capacity.
Mosselbay’s geographical setting is well known as the half way stop between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, with nearest neighbours in George, Outshoorn and Albertinia along the N2 route. Once a small town, Mosselbay has grown beyond its earliest discovery as a holiday destination when the Afrikaans Language and Cultural Society bought the coastal farm of Hartenbos east of Mossel Bay in 1936, that became the famous self catering holiday resort to have boosted incoming tourism.
The discovery of offshore gas in the 1980’s that was later piped ashore to the Mosgas refinery, led to it becoming one of the world’s largest gas to liquids refineries now known as Petro SA. This was followed by an influx of new residents, many who were blue collar workers employed at the refinery and small commercial harbour with a fishing fleet, while others were attracted by local industry and a secure coastal lifestyle.
When searching for property for sale this town offers a number of different suburban areas and private estates, both coastal and inland. Although the number of property sales during the past three months of 2011 of both freehold and sectional scheme are the lowest recorded since 2004, average freehold prices here reached its highest levels of R1.6-million in 2010.
Lightstone shows Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Estate to enjoy the highest average freehold ranking of R2.5- million, followed by Mosselbay Golf Estate at R1.9-million, and Monte Christo Estate at R1.8-million. Next in line are Village on Sea at R1.7-million, Linkside at R1.6-million and Bakke at R1.5-million and falling just below the R1-million mark are De Nova and Mosselbay Extention 15.
This town has no shortage of state and private educational institutions, and boasts five secondary and 21 primary schools. For those keen on outdoor entertainment there is the Ethno-botanic Garden with a special Braille Trail facility, as well as the magnificent field gardens. Adventure enthusiasts who enjoy caving can explore the famous Pinnacle Caves as well as the Cape St. Blaize Caves at the Point Area. In addition to a number of Outeniqua mountain hiking trails there is Mosselbay’s iconic 12.5 km Cape St Blaize trail that forms part of the Oystercatcher Trail, starting at the historic St Blaize Lighthouse.