An old milkwood tree in Mossel bay's Bartholomeu Dias museum where Portuguese navigator
Pêdro de Ataíde left an account of the disastrous weather he encountered en route to India, hidden inside a shoe.
This was near an oasis that was used frequently and the letter reached the intended a few months later —
João da Nova, who was so grateful he erected a shrine that is said to be the first location of Christian worship in South Africa.
The tree served as a kind of post office for many years to come and still does today.
It is the first post office in South Africa and today, there is a concrete boot-shaped postbox. Any mail posted here will receive a special stamp.
What to do therePost mail, whale watching, picnics, or visit the Bartolomeu Dias museum.
Best time to visitAny time of the year.
Location of Post office treeAt the Bartolomeu Dias museum of Mossel bay — near the harbour and shoreline.
How to get thereBy vehicle, cycling, walking, boat, bus, train.
There is a train station and sea port nearby.
References1. By PHParsons - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35792800