Knysna is steeped in history. The area became established in the early 1800's when the demand for timber began to grow. The wood cutters braved unknown territory seeking out the valuable hardwoods found in the Afro-Montane forests around Knysna. The most sought-after woods were Stinkwood and Yellowwood.

At that time, these vast forests and unexplored regions were home to many animals such as elephants, Cape buffalo and leopards, some of which were hunted out. Other animals such as bush pigs, bushbuck and the tiny blue duiker remain in small numbers in pockets of protected forest. You may even see an elusive leopard!

The Norwegian Thesen Family arrived in Knysna in 1870 and were instrumental in transforming the then small settlement into a large town and recognised trading post. They traded in timber and transported goods and passengers between Cape Town, Durban and Knysna with their fleet of steamships owned by the Thesen Steamship Company. The family also owned the island formerly known as Paarden Eiland , which was named Thesen Island. Here a sawmill was built and wood was brought down from the forests to the factory. It was then loaded onto the ships to be taken to other ports in South Africa and overseas. The Thesen family sold the Island to Barlows in 1971 and it was subsequently sold in 2000 to a housing development project.

In 1928 the railway between Knysna and George was completed and this became a faster and safer mode of transport for the timber out of Knysna. This meant that with the decline of ships entering the Knysna harbour, it was de-proclaimed as a harbour in 1954.

The Knysna Heads are famous, not only for the grand sandstone cliffs, which tower above the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon, but also for the many recorded shipwrecks which have occurred over the past 150 years. At first glance, this entrance does not appear to be dangerous but submerged rocks and two sandbars, which deflect winds and powerful currents, make it highly respected by even the most experienced skipper.

In 1817 the ship, 'Emu', hit a submerged rock, subsequently named Emu Rock, at the entrance to the Heads and became the first recorded shipwreck in the Heads.

The Featherbed Nature Reserve is situated on the Western Head and is privately owned by Mr William Smith - the Maths and Physics guru of the Learning Channel. He inherited this property from his father, Professor JLB Smith, the world renowned scientist who identified the Coelocanth - a fossil fish thought to be extinct 180 million years ago. Apart from the Nature Reserve, which is a South African Natural Heritage site, The Featherbed Company has operated as a family business for the past 20 years, and offers ferry trips on the Knysna Lagoon, sailing aboard our luxury yacht, fine dining on our paddle cruiser and a unique eco-experience in the Featherbed Private Nature Reserve.