- Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is halfway between Cape Town and PE, this coastal town marks the official beginning (or end) of the Garden Route. There’s a wide choice of backpacker hostels, beaches and adventure activities.
- Little Brak
A real beach holiday spot.
- Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn was home to rich feather barons until the turn of the century. The collapse of the feather industry meant the area had to find other attractions in order to survive. And boy, has it done a good job of that! You need daaaaays to “do” Oudtshoorn.
- De Rust
An interesting little one horse town.
- Victoria Bay
Victoria Bay is renowned as one of the world’s best surfing beaches and the waves here are often spectacular.
- Wilderness
Wilderness nestles in the green coastal hills, framed by the Touws River lagoon on one side and miles of superb beach on the other. The beautiful Wilderness National Park protects the unique eco-system that makes up the surroundings.
- Sedgefield
Straddling the N2 and in its turn surrounded by wetlands and sandwiched between the sea and the mountain, this is paraglider's paradise.
- Buffels Bay
This little coastal village lies just outside of Knysna and is a great place to relax and get closer to nature.
- Knysna
This backpackers haven is the centre of the Garden Route. The town of Knysna sprawls around the Knysna lagoon whose entrance is guarded by two rocky cliffs called The Heads. Knysna is the hub of the Garden Route and this once sleepy village is now a bustling town.
- Uniondale
Peaceful winding roads and lovely country side. The alternative inland route along the coast…
- Nature's Valley
Situated at the end of the Groot River pass, Nature’s Valley is surrounded by mountain, lagoon, sea and forest.
- Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a backpackers paradise. It was named “Baia Formosa” (Beautiful Bay) by early Portuguese explorers. Plettenberg Bay is now one of the Garden Route’s major destinations, primarily because the Portuguese weren’t far wrong.
- Bloukrans
The main attractions here are the Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest bungy jump and the beautiful surroundings
- Stormsriver
The major drawcard here is Mother Nature. And she’s a real Mother, but not the one you know. Wild, tempestuous, untamed, violent, calm, soothing, shouting, majestic and awe-inspiring if you can look past the hand of man.
George
George is very close to Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay and Victoria Bay, it’s a convenient backpacker stop over point. George airport is a convenient way of arriving to explore the Garden Route.The Outeniqua Tjoe - Choo train comes puffing into the station once a week.
George is the start of the Garden Route
George is set on a plateau between the majestic Outeniqua Mountains and the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean, George lies at the centre of the Garden Route.George has two backpackers,which are both exceptional.
George is renowned for its golf courses and the area is embraced by evergreen forests and nature reserves. Drive or ride the scenic 7 passes route, choof on the Choo-Tjoe to Mossel Bay, or take a dunk in the ocean at Victoria or Herold’s Bay.
There are some excellent choices of backpacker accommodation in George and it is worth spending a few days here to explore the local area.
Places to Stay
- Afrovibe Lodge and Adventures
They offer easy access to the tourist attractions of George and the Garden Route.
- Outeniqua Backpackers
Outeniqua backpackers was the first backpackers in George. It is a great place to stop over if you want a base whilst backpacking the Garden Route.
- Rocky Mountain Lodge and Backpackers
This lodge is on the outskirts of George offering log cabins with en-suite bathrooms - an ideal spot from which to explore the Garden Route.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Great bridgeand bungy jumping at the Gouritz River.
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
The Baz Bus is a South African backpacker hop-on hop-off any time bus service. They have no time limit on their ticket, so you can travel whenever you like, and, what’s more, start from anywhere on the route.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A great place for visiting Backpackers to meet Grahamstown University Students
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
People from PE are smooth operators when it comes to finding a soul mate to share their ride.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
An up-market Backpackers lodge at affordable prices
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
This Table View backpackers definately needs you to check out the beach, the bars, the jacuzzi and the menagerie. Hmm. And surf, windsurfing and going mad…
(Northern Beaches,Cape Town)
An awesome Backpacker experience never to be forgotten
(Knysna,Garden Route)
Wake up on your wild side at this stunning private game reserve
(East London,Sunshine Coast)
This is the oldest lodge in Observatory and is the play ground of students....put your party shoes on!
(Observatory,Cape Town)
An African themed Backpackers close to all the action in Grahamstown and its environs
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
