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Secluded coves such as Herolds Bay and Victoria Bay, and the long beaches of
Wilderness, Sedgefield and Buffels Bay attract those who enjoy sun, sea and a
laid back holiday agenda. Scheduled flights link George (principal town of the
Garden Route) with all the major centers in the country. Surrounded by
indigenous forests, the delightful town of George nestles on a coastal plateau
at the foot of one of the highest peaks in the Outeniqua mountain range. Knysna
has fabulous sea and mountain views and a tranquil lagoon - one of the finest
sailing, cruising, swimming and fishing spots in the country. Connoisseurs claim
that Knysna oysters are the most succulent in the world. In addition to golden
beaches, Plettenberg Bay features trendy boutiques, affluent holiday homes and
jet set hotels.
Hikers follow meandering trails
through the Garden Route; the rain forests invite long, leisurely drives, while
the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. Capital
of the Little Karoo, Oudtshoorn is easily reached over the streamlined Outeniqua
Pass. In contrast the lush greenery of the coast, the Little Karoo is a semiarid
valley which provides the ideal habitat for ostriches. 'Feather Palaces', built
at the turn of the century, are reminders of an opulent era when feathers
fetched more than their weight in gold.
Knysna
One of the Garden Route's most popular resorts lies on the Knysna Lagoon, an
excellent venue for water sports. The lagoon is guarded by two sandstone cliffs
known as The Heads. There are spectacular views from the Eastern Head. Cabin
cruisers can be hired, providing a novel form of overnight accommodation on the
lagoon. The town is renowned for its beer and oysters. Visitors are welcome at
Mitchell's Brewery, and you can sample oysters at the Knysna Oyster Company.
Millwood House Museum covers the region's history.
The Angling Museum is housed in
the Old Gaol complex in Queen Street. Local craft centers and art galleries are
well worth a visit. Noetzie, the Buffalo Valley Game Farm and the Featherbed
Nature Reserve are additional attractions. The Brenton/Buffalo Bay beach offers
first-class swimming and surfing conditions. Climate: Knysna enjoys a moderate
climate all year round. Lowest rainfall occurs during winter; the yearly average
is 770 mm. The average temperature in January is 26º Celsius and during the
winter months (June-August) fall to about 18º Celsius - still ideal conditions
for outdoors activities! The Indian Ocean at Knysna is much warmer than the sea
water in Cape Town; even in winter there are many days where you can go
swimming. Annual events: Knysna Oyster Festival in July. Knysna Head to Head
Marathon in November.
Outeniqua Choo-Choo
One of the few remaining steam trains in the country. Steam enthusiasts are
in their element and everyone enjoys the splendid views of lakes, forests,
beaches and cliffs on the train's coastal route between George and Knysna. The
one-way trip takes just over three hours and operates from Monday to Friday, and
one Saturdays during the Christmas school holidays.
George
George is the largest town of the Garden Route, nestling beneath the
magnificent Outeniqua Mountain range, and surrounded by a remarkable blend of
rivers, rich farmlands, forests and wild flowers. Scenery is a major attribute
of the town, closely followed by its outstanding sports facilities. Playing a
round of golf at George Golf Club, with its lush, green fairways, its great
variety of trees, flowers and the famous George heather, is a bit like rambling
through a carefully-tended, landscaped park. And from every aspect of the
course, the mountains can be seen.
Hiking, tennis, squash, bowls,
swimming, horse-riding, fishing and bird-watching can also be enjoyed. Pristine
clean beaches are situated five minutes' drive from town. Theatres, good
restaurants and a moderate climate complete the ingredients for an idyllic
holiday. Forestry is the backbone of the area's economy and, in addition to
exotic species, large tracts of indigenous forest have been preserved. Hops
grown in the countryside around George and the well-watered valleys in the
Outeniqua Mountains supply about half of South Africa's needs.
Plettenberg Bay
More than a village and less than a town, Plettenberg Bay is accessible by
first class national roads, by sea or by scheduled air flights. Plettenberg Bay
is renowned for its teeming bird life, vast expanses of Cape flora, its wetlands
and lagoons, gigantic trees and a bay large enough to harbor great whales. It
also boasts: Sweeping, unspoiled golden beaches, Dramatic rocky peninsula,
Intriguing lagoons and estuaries, Towering indigenous forestry, Unpolluted
rivers and sea, Beautiful view sites over the Indian Ocean, Exceptional climate
all year round With an idyllic setting, white sandy beaches, up-market hotels,
and facilities for all water sports, it's not surprising that this popular
holiday resort ranks with the best in the world. A plethora of marine,
geological and archaeological wealth is found at Robberg Peninsula. Annual
event: Hobie Ocean Extravaganza - April.
Wilderness
Lying in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains in a region of
incomparable beauty, the Wilderness National Park encompasses lakes, rivers,
lagoons, forests, fynbos, the beach and the sea. An attractive holiday resort
with beautiful beaches. A strong backwash makes swimming dangerous at some
places.
Dolphin's Point is a good vantage
point from which to watch the whales and dolphins. Knysna loeries glide through
the forests, cormorants soar in the sky, and the giant kingfisher skims across
the lakes in search of prey. Not surprisingly, bird-watchers are in their
element here. Water sports are a major feature and hikers have a selection of
day trails to choose from. Apart from ferns and orchids, there's always a chance
of spotting a bontebok, a bushbuck or a Cape clawless otter.
Mossel Bay
Site of the first landfall made by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias
in 1488, this popular holiday resort has fine beaches and excellent water sports
amenities. The Bartholomeu Dias Museum Complex is dominated by a life-sized
replica of Dias' caravel, and features fascinating exhibits on early Portuguese,
Dutch and British maritime explorers.
Whales and dolphins are regular
visitors to the bay, and launch trips to nearby Seal Island provide
opportunities to observe some 2 000 seals, as well as gannets and cormorants.
The St Blaise Hiking Trail offers unequalled views of the beautiful, unspoilt
coastline. Annual events: Dias Festival in February; Super Splash Water Sport
Festival in July; Holiday Madness Programme: December and January.
Albertinia
Set on a lovely expanse of coastline, Albertinia is the site of the only
aloe factory in South Africa. The juice and gel from the aloe ferox plant are
used for medicine and skin care products. Die Poort Cellars is the only wine
farm on the Garden Route. Mountain and hiking trails are among the many
attractions of the region.
Hartenbos
A tranquil holiday resort with a calm sea. Recreational facilities include a
covered, heated swimming pool, miniature golf, a skating rink, tennis courts, a
bowling green and a super tube. Exhibits at the Hartenbos Museum relate mainly
to the Great Trek of 1838. Open Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 -
15:45.
Heidelberg
The peaks of the Langeberg Mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the village
of Heidelberg. At the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Boosmansbos Wilderness
Area, over 170 bird species have been recorded, adding to the pleasure of
following the Bushbuck Hiking Trail through pristine mountain fynbos
Little Brak River
With the influx of visitors during holiday seasons, the population of this
tranquil village almost doubles. The lagoon and river offer excellent
opportunities for fishing, swimming, water-skiing, canoeing and power boating.
Between July and November, Little Brak River is a popular whale-watching venue.
Riversdale
The area is richly endowed with a floral beauty seldom encountered
elsewhere. On the northern side, the beautiful Sleeping Beauty peak towers over
Riversdale, and the Vet River winds its way past the town on its way to the sea.
Riversdale has a number of interesting historical buildings. The Julius Gordon
Africana Centre houses a wealth of South African art, including a large
collection of paintings by Thomas Bowler. Open Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 13:00.
Sedgefield
Set between pine-covered hills and beautiful unspoilt beaches, Sedgefield
affords endless opportunities for exploration. Nature trails through indigenous
forests inhabited by an abundance of wildlife can be followed either on
horseback or on foot. Swartvlei, the largest natural inland salt water lake in
South Africa, is a popular venue for swimming, boating, windsurfing,
water-skiing and fishing, Groenvlei, the only freshwater natural lake in the
area, is renowned for its outstanding catches of black bass. Striking sandstone
formations characterize the coastline on which Gericke's Point is situated. A
number of resorts are within walking distance of lakes, the sea and the estuary,
and offer tranquility and beautiful scenery.
Stilbaai
Tame eels and ancient fish traps are among the attractions of this peaceful
seaside resort. When whales visit the Bay of Sleeping Beauty between June and
October, they can be seen from the Whale Point parking area above the harbor.
Water sports of every conceivable kind, fishing, golf and bowls are major draw
cards.
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