The Garden Route is one of the most spectacular road trips in South Africa. Stretching roughly 200 km from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the drive is a must for any traveller or resident of the Western Cape. On this adventure, you'll traverse mountains, wetlands, beaches, forests, lagoons, rivers, and picturesque towns. The Garden Route's scenic gems will impress you whether you're a backpacker, family, honeymooner, or adrenaline junky. And with so much to see, the trip simply demands multiple do-overs. Here are some of the most charming Garden Route places to stop by on your way.
Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay, a quaint harbour town, is the starting point of the Garden Route. A seaside wonder, you can take a dip at the Blue-Flag awarded Santos Beach or secluded Diaz Beach. At the St. Blaize Trail, you can get your steps in by exploring caves, rock formations, and fynbos of the craggy coastline. Be sure to book a tour of the Point of Human Origins, a renowned archaeological site with early evidence for modern human behaviour.
Oudtshoorn
With its sunny weather and majestic mountain range, Oudtshoorn is one of the most beautiful stops on the Garden Route. There are plenty of ostrich farms in the area to meet these strapping creatures. Near the town is The Cango Caves, a stunning collection of limestone caves you can explore with the family.
George
The historic timber town of George is a bustling hub on the Garden Route. A must is the Outeniqua PowerVan, a railway pass that takes you through the Outeniqua Mountains and offers breathtaking views of George. Redberry Farm, although a commercial strawberry farm, lies in an idyllic setting with plenty of family-friendly activities to entertain.
Wilderness
With its delightful setting along the coast, Wilderness is a favourite for seaside holidays. This Garden Route town is perfect if you appreciate camping, nature and the outdoors. Wilderness Beach is a large expanse of sand, great for spotting dolphins and whales. Also don't forget to visit Wilderness National Park, a magical escape into forests, hiking trails, rivers, and mountain landscapes.
Sedgefield
Sedgefield is another seaside holiday town close to Wilderness as you travel through the Garden Route. The area is known for its scenic beauty, surrounded by sand dunes, pine plantations, lakes, the Swartvlei Estuary, and the Indian Ocean. The nearby Groenvlei Lake is a welcome spot for fishing; the indigenous round-herring and the Cape silverside can be caught here.
Knysna
With its festivals, events, restaurants, natural beauty, and range of fun activities, Knysna is the pearl of the Garden Route. Take a cruise on the Knysna Lagoon or visit The Knysna Heads, two cliffs that separate the lagoon from the sea, for exceptional views. Terblans Nature walk offers a tranquil walk through an indigenous Knysna forest. You can even set up a delicious picnic at Jubilee Creek. Still craving more visual treats? Head to Margaret's Viewpoint to get a stunning view of the town.
Plettenberg Bay
Known fondly as "Plett" by locals, Plettenberg Bay is celebrated as a top area for water sports like swimming, surfing, boating, windsurfing, and more. This Garden Route town offers hiking and walks at the Robberg Nature Reserve. Birds of Eden is also worth a visit. This is the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary in an indigenous forest. Fans of monkeys and elephants can check out Monkey Land or the Knysna Elephant Park.
The Crags
Described as a cross between a farming community and fairy tale village, The Crags lies 20 km from Plettenberg Bay. It has a scenic setting but also a range of action-packed activities such as ziplining, hiking, cycling, cliff jumping, deep-sea fishing, and swimming.
Nature's Valley
This beach town makes an ideal rest stop on the Garden Route. Lying in the heart of the Tsitsikamma National Park coastal forest, it provides remarkable natural scenery and wildlife sightings of Southern Cape bushbuck, bush pigs, and wild birds.
Bloukrans Bridge
Passing through the Garden Route, you will come by the Bloukrans Bridge, an arch bridge near Nature's Valley. This site offers an adrenaline-driven bungy jump or use of the walkway under the bridge. The Instagram-friendly spot also provides the perfect backdrop thanks to the magnificent Bloukrans River Gorge below.
Storms River
The Garden Route officially ends in the Storms River area. The quaint village is the gateway to the Tsitsikamma National Park; an area boasting fynbos, forests, incredible rock formations, and lovely ocean views.
The Garden Route will fill your itinerary with many unique experiences and unforgettable memories. By living in any of the areas on our list, you will be well located to explore the route to your heart's content. Contact Seeff today to find a property on one of the world's most beautiful treks.