| The Garden
Route
The Garden Route region is
extremely diverse, from the golden beaches, rocky shore lines, fascinating
forests, magestic mountain ranges and the vast open planes with their
rolling hills that seem to go on forever. This is a nature lovers paradise.
It's a comfortable drive (of between 4 to 5 hours) from Cape Town along the
N2 to George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.The scenery along the route is
impressive and a sight to behold.
The Scenery is spectacular
and the region has a lovely moderate climate. Exploring the Garden Route
promises to be an unforgettable experience. The lakes region between George
and Knysna is something no-one visiting the Western Cape Province should
miss. Fresh water otters play in the rivers and the variety of bird
life is breath taking.
Heidelberg is situated on the Western
perimeter of the garden Route against the banks of the Duiwelshoek River.
Historic sites include the most southerly battlefield of the Anglo boer War
and meticiously restored Georgean and Victorian homes. A number of hiking
trails such as those in the Grootvadersboch Conservatory (12000 ha) are
available in the region. the seaside town of Witsands is only 40km from
Heidelberg. Enjoy mountsin biking trails or go visit some Bushmen caves or
go pay tribute to the oldest Redwood tree in South Africa.
Riversdal lies between the Langeberg
Mountains and the Indian Ocean. This is a winter rainfall area and the
grasslands and flora abound here. A perfect getaway to tranquility and
peace, visit Korente/Vette River Dam. Enjoy 4x4 trails, hiking, abseiling
along stunning waterfalls or take up horse back trails at Mont Blanc
Adventure Farm. Take a scenic route through Garcia Pass to the Klein
Karoo Region.
Stilbaai captivates tourists, you'll soon
fall in love with this seaside town, its unspoilt natural beauty and its
safe community lifestyle. This town is home to the annual MTN
Strandloper Festival (September), a happy affair to enjoy and an
opportunity to get to know the locals better. Sports include golf,
hiking, bowls or angling. Accommodation varies from self catering, bed and
breakfast and luxury guest houses.
Visit the Soete Inval
Botanical Garden or the the placid coastline offering an abundance of
watersports for the enthusiast. You can even go whale watching between June
and October.
Albertinia and Aloes are synonymous. This
town (between Mossel Bay and Riversdale) lies along the Gourits River and
has an abundance of bird life and a mild climate. Browse through the local
antiques shop or craft shops in town or visit the Aloe Ferox processing
plant which makes health and cosmetic products from this plant. If you love
wines you may want to visit the De Poort winery or if you prefer something
extreme you can always go bungy jumping at the Gouritz River Gorge, just
14km outside Albertinia toward Mossel Bay. Stay over at a guest farm
or bed and breakfast style accommodation.
Mossel Bay first discovered by Bartholomeu
Dias has evolved into a bustling seaside resort town. Its popular for
summer holidays and has a mild winter climate. Embraced by a peninsula this
town draws sun seekers
from all accross the world. A scenic harbour, lovely guest
houses,hotels, restaurants and Mediterranean climate all add to ensure a
splashing holiday on the Garden Route. Visit the maritime museum or go for
a cruise on the Romanza from the Mossel Bay harbour. Go swimming in natural
rock pools, soak up the sun on the sunbleached beaches or watch the
dolphins play in the surf from various lookout points along the coast. Vist
the Koi-San Village, the war Memorial and the Cape St Blaze. lighthouse
with its Lighthouse Restaurant (Tel: +27 (0)44 691 3512). Take a stroll to
Jazzbury's Restaurant and enjoy a candle lit, intamate dinner of South
African cuisine. (Tel: +27 (0)44 691 1923).
Enjoy sundowners at the Protea Santos Beach Hotel with a lovely deck
overlooking the Indian Ocean. Adventure seekers can head out to participate
in Great
White Shark cage diving, or go horse riding at Eight
Bells Mountain Inn (Tel: +27 (0)44 631 0004)
George, the heart of the Garden Route! This
town is situated between the strip of land at the foothills of the
Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. It has its own International
Class Airport and a well developed business centre and tourism industry.
George is ideal for corporate holidays, and offers a variety of conference
centres and restaurants to choose from. Art lovers can visit the Strydom
Gallery (Est. in 1968) in the Marklaan Centre, Internationally known for
its fine collection of South African fine art.(+27 (0)44 874 4027)
Visit Der Lederhandler leather works in the George Industrial area and the
finest leather goods at factory prices. +27 (0)44 874 6935). Visit the
Outeniqua Railway Museum, see The Old Oak Tree (believed to date back to
1811) or take a guided tour of St Mark's Cathedral (+27 (0)44 873 3239) or
visit South Africa's oldest Catholic church St Peter and St Paul with its
Italian marble altar.
For the adventurous George has the Quteniqua
Power Van experience. A 3 hour guided tour and a picnic in the
Montagu Railway Pass in motorised rail trolleys taking you right into the
heart of the Quteniqua Mountains. Or if you are really wild at heart
set out on an adventure tour with the ADRENALINE
CONNECTION, abseiling, canyoning, caving, sandboarding,
teambuilding, paintball, waverafting and more!
Golf anyone? thanks, my heart nearly skipped a beat there... Yup you can
enjoy golfing at one of South Africa's premier golf estates, Fancourt.
Then again you could go soak up the sun below Duttons Cove at Herolds Bay
beach.
Cuisine? From Reel and Rustic (+27 (0)44 884 0707) to the Alte
Feste offering fresh seafood, grain fed beef, venison and a choice
of vegetarian dishes. Enjoy a South African bistro menu at Wayne and
Megan's Copper Pot Restaurant. (+27 (0)44 870 7378).
Victoria Bay 12 houses right on the edge of the
ocean, surfboards, sun bathing, snorkling, fishing that just about sums up
this gem of the Garden Route. I love surfing so I'll do my best not to be
bias but this place is..um..I'm at a loss of words. "Epic"! The
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train steams past daily above the bay. Do youself a
favour don't miss this cosy little bay. Stay over if you like some of the
guest houses right on the waters edge.
Wilderness This quaint village is embraced
by lush forests,surrounded by lakes and rivers. It's a place stole my
heart, and it always draws me back for another visit. It's a place of peace
and tranquility. The village is situated 15km east of George and captivates
you as you take the bend at Dolphin Point. An ideal resort to stay
over at is the Fairy
Knowe Hotel, probably one of the first established homesteads in
Wilderness now turned 3 star Hotel and a AA resort of the year finalist
1999. Lovely beaches are closeby, enjoy canoeing in the Touw River Estuary,
the lagoon and lakes. Five rivers, five lakes, two estuaries and 18km of
this lovely coastline are protected as the Wilderness National Park.
Enjoy tandem paragliding with Cloudbase
Paragliding (082 777 8474) or Canoe Cruises and Mountain biking with Eden
Adventures. The winter climate is lovely, with sunny days and
temperatures that rarely fall below 10 Celsuis. Annual rainfail averages at
about 700 mm. While here see if you can spot the Loerie or a Otter.
More about Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay coming soon...
Commercial airports include
George, Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn and domestic flights depart from
Cape Town International airport.The Garden Route is easily accessible
by, rail, car, air or even luxury inter-city coach services. Contact
Intercape Coaches in Cape Town +27 (0)21 419 8888 or Translux on +27 (0)21
405 3333 for coach tours. South
African Airways and SA Airlink for domestic flights to George and
Plettenberg Bay.
Accommodation
Accommodation is widely
available to suit the needs of every visitor to the region. You can select
from luxurious five star hotels, guest houses, cosy bed and breakfast style
accommodation or
self catering log cabins or chalets.
What to do.
The garden route offers
watersports, rafting, bungy jumping kayacking, para gliding, bird watching,
cycling routes, hiking routes and much more. Alternatively you can take
leasurly walks along the beautiful beaches, go castle gazing in Noetsi or
visit the many historical sights of interest. You may opt for the art
routes and visit the many galleries in the area while stopping over at tea
gardens or coffee shops along the way.
Set out to visit the Safari Ostrich Show Farm (+27 (0)44 272 7311/2) and
see these facinating birds or get a close encounter with a rhino, lion,
buffalo, gireffe and many other wild life animals on a 3 hour game drive
through the Bottelierskop
Game Farm at Great Brak River. (+27 (0)44 696 6055).
If you are a romantic and love train travel, contact Rovos Rail and travel
in style in one of the worlds most luxurious trains between Cape Town and
George/Knysna. Comfortable intercity trains also run between Cape Town and
George via Mossel Bay. The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train runs between
George and Knysna (Mondays-Sundays)
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