Great Brak River (town)

The town was founded by the Searle family of Surrey, England, of which the elder brother, Richard (originally a labourer), emigrated to South Africa under a government-sponsored scheme in 1845. He arrived in Great Brak River to work for the Central Road Board in 1850.[2] Richard's brother, Charles, and sister-in-law, Pamela, are credited with founding the village in 1859. The Searle family went on to become toll keepers (toll houses were operated by private contractors during the 1800s), and would establish shopping, accommodation, shoe-making and timber businesses in the village.

Today, Great Brak River is chiefly a holiday destination, with beaches and the lagoon providing the major attractions. The island residential area is linked to the mainland by a single lane bridge. Other highlights in Great Brak River include a local history museum,[3] historic buildings built between 1852 and the mid-1930s, the Wolwedans Dam, and a restored power station dating back to the early 1900s. The 4-star Botlierskop Private Game Reserve[4] is the biggest commercial attraction in the Great Brak area, along with several small shops and restaurants located in the town center. The 250 year old shoe factory of Bolton Footwear,[5] originally started by the Searl family, is still in operation today in Groot Brak River and is one of the primary employers in the town.

The town can easily be reached by vehicle using the N2 national highway that runs through the town. Great Brak River is halfway on the N2 between Mossel Bay to the west and George to the east. The nearest commercial airport is 15 km away at George International Airport to the east.