Stonehouse Lodge is a 70 ha family farm on the Goukou River, about 10 minutes from Stilbaai (Still Bay), with three self-catering houses, a private slipway and a floating jetty. The jetty sits above the river's sandbanks, where the river is deep enough to water-ski at any time of day and any state of the tide, and navigable up into the gorge or down to Stilbaai. Boating from the farm is by arrangement with Alison.
A river house without waiting for the tide
Lower down, the Goukou is shallow over sandbanks at low tide, and boats in town often wait for high water. The farm's slipway and floating jetty are upriver of those sandbanks, where the water in front of the farm is deep enough to ski at high and low tide. Ski before lunch and be back on the veranda for sundowners, whatever the tide table says.
The river is navigable for about 15 km from the mouth. Upstream it narrows into a wooded gorge with indigenous bush on both banks; downstream it widens through reed beds and salt marsh to the estuary, which divides Stilbaai into West and East and stays open to the sea all year.
On the water
Boating from the farm is by arrangement with Alison, so ask her before you bring a boat. The farm's two kayaks are there to take out from the jetty. There is no boat hire on the farm, but a river cruise with Gavin, Alison's husband and a well-known Stilbaai fisherman, can be arranged: ask Alison when you book.
The riverside lapa, a thatched shelter with a stone braai on the lawn above the river, can be booked with your stay for long lunches and evening braais.
River rules: the Marine Protected Area
The Goukou estuary is part of the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area. Jet-skis and other personal watercraft are not allowed anywhere in it; ski boats and other boats are. The farm's stretch of river lies in the restricted zone, so there is no fishing from the jetty. Run down to the lower estuary for kob and grunter instead: that is the controlled zone, where you may angle with a DFFE recreational angling permit within the national bag and size limits.
For fishing on the farm itself, the private bass dam is catch-and-release.
The three houses
Stonehouse Lodge is the stone and thatch house on the hillside above the river, with a wrap-around veranda, four bedrooms and room for 8 guests, up to 12 on request. White House Cottage is the 1920 farmhouse with a covered veranda, for up to 7. Grysbok Cottage sleeps 8 in three bedrooms and looks over the dam and the buck camp. The shared swimming pool is between Stonehouse and White House.
Every house has an indoor fireplace and an outdoor braai, Wi-Fi and its own kitchen, and each is let as a whole. Rates start at R2 200 a night for a whole house.
Photographs
See for yourself
The floating jetty below Stonehouse Lodge 
The farm kayaks on the riverbank 
Upriver into the gorge 
The Goukou at sunset 
The riverside lapa and braai 
Stonehouse Lodge above the river
Good to know
Questions
Can you water-ski on the Goukou River at low tide?
Yes, from Stonehouse Lodge. The farm's slipway and jetty are above the sandbanks, and the river in front of the farm is deep enough to ski at high and low tide. Boating from the farm is by arrangement with Alison.
Is there accommodation on the Goukou River with a private jetty?
Stonehouse Lodge has three self-catering houses on a 70 ha farm on the Goukou River near Stilbaai, with a private slipway and floating jetty for guests.
Can we bring our own boat?
Ask Alison first: boating from the farm is by arrangement with her. Jet-skis are not allowed in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area.
Is there fishing on the farm's stretch of the river?
No. The farm's stretch of the Goukou is in the restricted zone of the Marine Protected Area. Fish the lower estuary controlled zone for kob and grunter with a DFFE permit, or the bass dam on the farm.
How far is the farm from Stilbaai?
About 10 minutes by road, and you can also go down to town by boat on the river.
Ask about your dates
Tell Alison when you would like to come and how many of you there are. 5% off when you book direct.