- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Victoria Bay
Victoria Bay is renowned as one of the world’s best surfing beaches and the waves here are often spectacular.
George and Vic Bay
Vic Bay's lovely beach offers outstanding swimming and one of the most consistent surf breaks anywhere along the South African coastline. Whales are seen on most days from late May until late October each year and the common humpback dolphin is often seen twice a day.
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. Renowned for its golf courses, 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.
Places to Stay
- Vic Bay Surf Lodge
Vic Bay is a Garden Route Surfing top spot also try Snorkeling, Fishing and beach strolling.
- Victoria Bay Surfari Backpackers
This Backpackers' hostel is set in 3 hectares of forest near to the Vic Bay's famous surfing beach
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
En route to Lesotho, between the Wild Coast and Jo'burg.
(Rouxville,Free State)
A Backpaker must with Safaris and close encounters of the wild kind
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
School at the sea side. Learn English AND learn to surf or just hang out on the beach.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
This Hluhluwe backpackers is conveniently situated for easy access to Hluhluwe/iMfolozi park.
(Hluhluwe,Zululand)
A great variety of local tours are on offer here.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
(Hazyview,Mpumalanga)
A great place for visiting Backpackers to meet Grahamstown University Students
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
This dedicated backpackers in Joburg organises everything from car hire to safaris.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Kick back and relax after a day out exploring Lesotho.
(Ficksburg,Free State)
Ansteys Beach Backpackers is just a short walk from the world famous “Cave Rock” surf break. The perfect place to stay at in Durban if you are after waves and beaches.
(Durban ,Durban)
