THE DIAZ EXPRESS (Pty) Ltd All aboard the Diaz Express, a fun rail experience in the region of .

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 of .

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 1488.

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. 2014 / 241946 / 07 GEORGE

SKIMMELKRANS

MAALGATE

GLENTANA

GREAT Floating Dock Susan Pardew 1902 SEEPLAAS 1872 THE AMAZING RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN GEORGE AND THE AMAZING RAILWAY LINEMOSSEL BETWEEN BAY GEORGE AND MOSSEL BAY

LITTLE BRAK RIVER The George/Mossel Bay line was officially opened by Sir Pieter Faure on 25 September 1907.

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 Between and Maalgate the line climbs steeply upwards onto a plateau (average elevation 245 metres) that characterises the more lush all-year- round rainfall area of the Garden Route. Kronprinsesse van Denmark The awesome vista over the Indian Ocean with its foaming waves crashing on to the 1752 seemingly endless beach, is breathtaking. Passengers can see the whole “Bay of Mussels”, from to the St Blaze lighthouse at the other end.

The railway crosses the Maalgate River, the border between the Mossel Bay and MOSSEL BAY George municipalities, high above the river where large roundish holes can be seen in the rock of the riverbed. THE – GLENTANA TRIP 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.

We stop for an hour at Seeplaas, a boutique coffee shop/art gallery with stunning ambience and art works.

We travel on to the Glentana viewpoint to admire the stunning view over the “Bay of Mussels” above Glentana.

There we turn back to Great Brak River and stop for two hours to enjoy lunch at either the 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.

See schedule and prices on next page.

THE GREAT BRAK – MAALGATE TRIP We depart at 13:00 from Great Brak River to the Maalgate bridge erected in 1907 where we stop briefly to admire the scenery. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy the scenery around this monumental bridge.

See schedule and prices on next page. 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 – GLENTANA EXCURSION TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS DEPART ARRIVE ARRIVE DEPART ARRIVE HARTENBOS SEEPLAAS GREAT BRAK LUNCH GREAT BRAK HARTENBOS 10:00 10:45 13:00 15:00 15:45 RETURN TICKETS COST R 150 PER ADULT, AND R 120 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12. THE GREAT BRAK – MAALGATE EXCURSION TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS DEPART ARRIVE DEPART ARRIVE GREAT BRAK MAALGATE PICNIC MAALGATE GREAT BRAK 13:00 13:45 14:15 15:00 RETURN TICKETS COST R 100 PER ADULT, AND R 80 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12.

GENERAL INFORMATION o FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT RESTAURANTS ARE FOR OWN ACCOUNT o DEPARTURE TIMES MIGHT CHANGE, DEPENDING ON PUBLIC INTEREST o BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL 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 (www.greatbrak.info), 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. 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. No bookings – first come, first served.

DEPARTURE TIMES

HARTENBOS SANTOS 10:00 10:45 11:30 12:15 13:00 13:45 14:30 15:15 16:00 16:45 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 BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS

• Excursions can be customised for groups • BOOKING ARE ESSENTIAL that prefer to do so, provided that • Deposit of 50% required to confirm booking, bookings are made well ahead of time. balance (if applicable) in cash at train • Rail trolley availability are subject to Rail personnel on the day of departure. Safety Regulations for the day. • Electronic transfers and direct deposits are • BOOKING ARE ESSENTIAL accepted. Bank ABSA George CONTACT DETAIL Account Holder DIAZ EXPRESS Type of Account Cheque Account Number 40 8542 6190 + 27 (0) 82 450 7778 Branch Code 632005 • All expenses incurred at the restaurants and [email protected] other attractions are for the passengers own accounts.

www.diazexpress.co.za CANCELLATION POLICY

Facebook/diaz.express • Fully refunded should Diaz Express cancel. • Deposit will NOT be refunded should passengers cancel within 48 hours prior to Rate us on Tripadvisor departure.