- Little Brak
A real beach holiday spot.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Mossel Bay is a good place to start your Garden Route travels. Oudtshoorn is just over the hill, bungy jumping just down the drag and the whole of the Garden Route about to begin or finish - depending on the direction in which you’re travelling.
It is the only town on the Garden Route with a working harbour. There are over 5 surfing spots in the most consistent waves along the SA coastline and it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the mildest climate year round, second only to Hawaii. Even whales and dolphins think it’s a hot spot.
Bartholomeu Dias, the first European to land on the South African coast, anchored here to find fresh water in 1488. When the local Khoi tried to stop him from stealing their precious H20, the sailors retaliated with crossbow fire. Bad move Bart! The museum has a full-size replica of his boat (they must have been brave people to set sail in this dinky little thing). Outside the museum you’ll find the Post Office Tree. In the 16th century sailors used to leave messages for passing ships to take home. Today you can send a postcard home franked with the old tree’s stamp.
South Africa’s earliest post office?
In 1500 a sailor left - in an old shoe hung on a milkwood tree - an account of the terrible losses he suffered out at sea. The report was later found by other sailors who began to use the tree as a postal point. Today letters posted at the tree are franked with the Old Post Office Tree’s unique frank.
Mossel Bay is one of the world’s best shark viewing sites.
Mossel Bay guards the longest sandboard ride in South Africa - a 350m rip down the sandy spine of Dragon Dune.
Mossel Bay has the only north facing beach on the coast – which means more sunshine hours!
Surfers should try the break at the Inner and Outer Point.
Whales hang out here in season and diving and fishing are good.
BRAAIVLEIS AND BOEREWORS
Wheat, wool, canned fruit, ostrich feathers, ochre and bitter aloe are shipped out through Mossel Bay but it is as a holiday destination that the town best known. And during holiday seasons farmers from the Klein and Groot Karoo trek* to Mossel Bay for a lekker vakansie* and the night air becomes heavy with the smell of braaing meat and spook en diesel* fumes.
Did you know?
• For centuries this bay was home to the strandloper* whose diet consisted mainly of mussels.
• It was the first town in South Africa in which a European building - a small chapel, which no longer exists - was erected.
Places to Stay
- Mossel Bay Backpackers
Mossel Bay Backpackers is located just 300m from the Inner and Outer Point surf spots. This backpacker lodge also has a guest house adjoined to it, if you are after a few more creature comforts.
- Nyaru Game Lodge Garden Route Safaris
A Backpaker must with Safaris and close encounters of the wild kind
- Park House Lodge and Travel Centre
This Mossel Bay backpackers is located in a spacious 130 year old stone homestead with some wonderful woodwork and some stunning artwork.
- Santos Express
This Mossel Bay backpackers is a genuine train that’s parked just a spit away from the main beach in Mossel Bay. All cabins face the sea. What more could you want?
What to do
- Electrodive
Backpackers dive specials.
- Gouritz Bungy
Great bridgeand bungy jumping at the Gouritz River.
- Sandboard the Dragon
Sizzling sandboarding on the longest run in South Africa at Mossel Bay.
- Tandem Skydive - Mossel Bay
The ultimate thrill for Backpackers. Mossel Bay offers the highest skydives in South Africa.
- White Shark Africa
White Shark Africa provides some of the best shark cage diving in South Africa and can befound in Mossel Bay on the Garden Route.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
They offer easy access to the tourist attractions of George and the Garden Route.
(George,Garden Route)
An exciting beach resort on a tropical island paradise with lots to do and fun to be had in the beach bar and restaurant.
(Jambiani,Zanzibar Island)
(Windhoek,Namibia)
The experts on travel and adventure in Southern Africa, based in Vic Falls.
(Victoria Falls,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
A holiday by the sea.
(Saldanha Bay,West Coast)
MozVolunteers is a small volunteer organisation based in Xisondwe, Zavora.
(Zavora,Mozambique)
Learn to surf in J'bay.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
This Kosi Bay backpackers is close to the magnificent Kosi Bay lake system and beaches where endangered turtles nest.
(Kosi Bay,Zululand)
Safaris to the Southern Kruger.
(Hazyview,Mpumalanga)
Set in a quaint old Karoo house, The Owl House Backpackers is a must for anyone who has the time, or needs a spiritual boost.
(Nieu Bethesda,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
