Discover the History of Millwood Goldfields in Knysna

Hidden in the forests of Knysna lies the story of the Millwood Goldfields and Jubilee Creek, where South Africa’s first official gold rush began.

It all started in 1876, when Mr. Hooper found a gold nugget in Karatara. Prospectors rushed to the area, and by 1887, Millwood was proclaimed a goldfield. A town soon grew with hotels, shops, churches, and even newspapers. But by 1888, the gold started running out, and many prospectors left for the big finds in the Witwatersrand.

Mining companies had brought in expensive equipment from as far as Australia, and tunnels like the famous Temperance Tunnel were dug. When the mines closed, many of the wooden buildings were taken apart and moved elsewhere, but traces of Millwood’s past can still be found in the forest today.

In the 1980s, the Millwood Goldfield Society helped preserve the area, and in 2010, SANParks took over its management. Now, Jubilee Creek and Millwood are peaceful picnic and hiking spots, where visitors can also explore the remains of mines and old structures.

Visiting Millwood Goldfields is like stepping back in time – a place where you can enjoy nature while imagining the dreams and struggles of those early gold seekers.