THE DIAZ EXPRESS (Pty) Ltd

Transcription

1 THE DIAZ EXPRESS (Pty) Ltd All aboard the Diaz Express, a fun rail experience in the Garden Route region of South Africa. The Diaz Express consists of three restored Wickham railcars, circa 1960, that operates on the existing Transnet Freight Rail infrastructure between George, the capital of the Southern Cape, and the seaside resort of Mossel Bay. The Diaz Express is named after Bartholomeu Diaz the master mariner and first explorer to set foot on South African soil in Mossel Bay in With our variety of excursions we combine unsurpassed scenery, history, visits to quaint crafts shops and art galleries with gastronomic experiences par excellence!!! Reg No / / 07

2 SKIMMELKRANS MAALGATE GREAT BRAK RIVER SEEPLAAS Susan Pardew Floating Dock THE AMAZING RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN GEORGE AND THE AMAZING RAILWAY LINE MOSSEL BETWEEN BAY GEORGE AND MOSSEL BAY The George/Mossel Bay line was officially opened by Sir Pieter Faure on 25 September It winds through fynbos, a natural heathland occurring mainly in winter rainfall areas, which forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom (Capensis), one of six floristic kingdoms in the world (see insert). HARTENBOS Kronprinsesse van Denmark 1752 Between Great Brak River and Maalgate the line climbs steeply upwards onto a plateau (average elevation 245 metres) that characterises the more lush all-yearround rainfall area of the Garden Route. The awesome vista over the Indian Ocean with its foaming waves crashing on to the seemingly endless beach, is breathtaking. Passengers can see the whole Bay of Mussels, from Glentana to the St Blaze lighthouse at the other end. The railway crosses the Maalgate River, the border between the Mossel Bay and George municipalities, high above the river where large roundish holes can be seen in the rock of the riverbed.

3 THE HARTENBOS SEEPLAAS BREAKFAST EXCURSION We depart from Hartenbos station at 09:00 and arrive at Seeplaas at 09:45. Seeplaas is a family owned restaurant and also the home of Ken Maloney's magnificent three dimensional art. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the beach and waves over an early morning coffee and breakfast. We are back again in Hartenbos at 11:45. See schedule and prices on next page. THE HARTENBOS MAALGATE LUNCH EXCURSION We depart from Hartenbos station at 12:00 to Maalgate, a spectacular railway bridge on the way to George. Experience the lovely views over the Indian ocean, the river estuaries, the bridges, the tunnel, as the railway line meanders high above the seaside resorts and past the indigenous plant life of the Cape Floral Kingdom. On the way we stop for two hours at Great Brak River to enjoy lunch at either the award-winning Transkaroo restaurant in the beautiful old station building, or light lunches at the Opispoor Pub & Grill, also on the station premises. Or have your own picnic on The Island, with it s basic but clean toilet facilities. After lunch we travel on to the Maalgate bridge erected in We stop briefly to admire the scenery before we turn back to Hartenbos. A quick stop at Seeplaas for a coffee and Something Sweet can be arranged with the train personnel. We are back again at Hartenbos around 17:30. See schedule and prices on next page.

4 PLEASE NOTE!! THESE EXCURSIONS TAKE PLACE RIGHT THROUGH THE YEAR EXCEPT DURING THE DECEMBER HOLIDAY SEASON WHEN WE ONLY DO THE HARTENBOS SANTOS SHUTTLE TRIPS ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES. THE HARTENBOS SEEPLAAS EXCURSION TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS DEPART ARRIVE SEEPLAAS DEPART ARRIVE HARTENBOS BREAKFAST GREAT BRAK HARTENBOS 090:00 09:45 11:15 11:45 RETURN TICKETS COST R 120 PER ADULT, AND R 100 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12. THE HARTENBOS MAALGATE EXCURSION TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS DEPART ARRIVE DEPART DEPART ARRIVE HARTENBOS GREAT BRAK LUNCH GREAT BRAK MAALGATE HARTENBOS 12:00 12:45 14:45 15:45 17:30 RETURN TICKETS COST R 150 PER ADULT, AND R 120 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12. o o o GENERAL INFORMATION FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT RESTAURANTS ARE FOR OWN ACCOUNT DEPARTURE TIMES MIGHT CHANGE, DEPENDING ON PUBLIC INTEREST BOOK ON-LINE TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

5 THE GEORGE - GREAT BRAK RIVER EXCURSION This guided excursion departs at 10:00 on demand (any day except Sundays) from the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George, with its wide variety of steam locomotives, carriages and railway memorabilia on display. From the museum we depart by bus to the Skimmelkans station where the rail experience to Great Brak River commences. Sit back and enjoy the lovely views of the Outeniqua mountains, the Indian ocean, the historic bridge, the tunnel and the lush Garden Route scenery We stop briefly at the historic Maalgate bridge to admire the scenery. We will spend a few hours at Great Brak River, the Garden Route s quaintest village ( where a variety of attractions - eateries, art and craft shops, historic places, walks, birding and much more - awaits us. Tours can be customised to suit the interests of passengers. A ticket costs R380 (incl. bus transfers) and all other expenses incurred are for the passengers own accounts.

6 THE HARTENBOS SANTOS BEACH SHUTTLE During school holidays the Diaz Express provide a shuttle service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Hartenbos station and Santos beach near the centre of Mossel Bay. During the December school holiday we do these shuttle trips daily, except for Sundays. Santos has brilliant ocean views and easy access to the town s shops, banks, restaurants, information centre, historic sites, museum and with all the quayside restaurants within walking distance. The one way tickets cost R 40 pp for adults and R 30 for children under 12. Book on-line to avoid disappointment. DEPARTURE TIMES HARTENBOS SANTOS 10:00 10:45 11:30 12:15 13:00 13:45 14:30 15:15 16:00 16:45

7 GENERAL INFORMATION SCHEDULE AND PRICES VALID TILL 31 JANUARY 2018 PLEASE NOTE THAT A GROUP SIZE OF AT LEAST 20 PASSENGERS ARE REQUIRED EXCURSION INFORMATION Excursions can be customised for groups that prefer to do so, provided that bookings are made well ahead of time. Rail trolley availability are subject to Rail Safety Regulations for the day. BOOKING ARE ESSENTIAL CONTACT DETAIL + 27 (0) info@diazexpress.co.za Facebook/diaz.express Rate us on Tripadvisor BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS BOOKING ARE ESSENTIAL Deposit of 50% required to confirm booking, balance (if applicable) in cash at train personnel on the day of departure. Electronic transfers and direct deposits are accepted. Bank ABSA George Account Holder DIAZ EXPRESS Type of Account Cheque Account Number Branch Code All expenses incurred at the restaurants and other attractions are for the passengers own accounts. CANCELLATION POLICY Fully refunded should Diaz Express cancel. Deposit will NOT be refunded should passengers cancel within 48 hours prior to departure.