Hankey is in the heart of the Gamtoos River Valley and is the gateway to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, an inland cultural and historical attraction. It is the oldest town in the Valley and is home to largest sundial in Africa.
In 1822 the famous missionary Dr. John Philip bought a portion of the farm Wagensdrift to accommodate the Khoi San people who could not be accommodated at the mission station at Bethelsdorp which is outside Port Elizabeth. The mission was established in 1825 and was named after William Allers Hankey who was the treasurer of the London Missionary Society. In an effort to make the mission self sustaining the inhabitants, led by Philip's son, William, built the first irrigation tunnel in South Africa which is now a declared heritage site.
Dr. Philip and his family including the famous Scottish settler leader John Fairburn, a pioneer in the struggle for a free press in South Africa are all buried in Hankey.
Hankey is an excellent base to explore the Baviaans Wilderness area.
