beaches a no no in garden route...what else to do?

[MUGmug]

Seeing that alot of people will be affected by this "ruling". I was thinking since we dont visit the beach all that often anyway when traveling to the Garden route what other great places are there to explore and visit.

So please share great sights and experiences in the garden route area here that dont include "the beach".

I will share a few.....

1. Driving up Montagu pass
2. Ride on the Outeniqua Power Van
3. Eat at Montecello Sedgefield
4. See the views from atop the Sedgefield hill where guys paraglide from(sunset)
5. Visit Sedgefield Farmers market
6. Take a drive to natures valley(stunning)
7. Take a drive Seven passes road.
8. Do a easy hike..plenty to choose. (brownhooded kingfisher trailer wilderness)
9. Walk on the old traintracks from wilderness to george(very scenic)
10. Hire a canoe and paddle kaaimansriver

Please be specific so forumites can easily find the suggestions.

Have a great holiday season

[Hedgehog]

Seeing that alot of people will be affected by this "ruling". I was thinking since we dont visit the beach all that often anyway when traveling to the Garden route what other great places are there to explore and visit.

So please share great sights and experiences in the garden route area here that dont include "the beach".

I will share a few.....

1. Driving up Montagu pass
2. Ride on the Outeniqua Power Van
3. Eat at Montecello Sedgefield
4. See the views from atop the Sedgefield hill where guys paraglide from(sunset)
5. Visit Sedgefield Farmers market
6. Take a drive to natures valley(stunning)
7. Take a drive Seven passes road.
8. Do a easy hike..plenty to choose. (brownhooded kingfisher trailer wilderness)
9. Walk on the old traintracks from wilderness to george(very scenic)
10. Hire a canoe and paddle kaaimansriver

Please be specific so forumites can easily find the suggestions.

Have a great holiday season

Great thread MUG!!!

[logical daze]

I dont think the wild oats market(Sedgefield) will be open. We LOVE the beach, so day trips to beaches South of Mossel bay are game seeing as the "Garden Route" ends at Mossel bay!

[Kix]

I dont think the wild oats market(Sedgefield) will be open. We LOVE the beach, so day trips to beaches South of Mossel bay are game seeing as the "Garden Route" ends at Mossel bay!

It ends at Stillbaai or even further towards Cape Town IIRC.

[relec]

Redberry Farm near George. - do the maze challenge
Plett Puzzle Park - Do both and I think jukani (big cats) is on the same property.
Monkeyland and birds of eden - both in plett as well

[logical daze]

It ends at Stillbaai or even further towards Cape Town IIRC.

I think you are right! Stilbaai is still okay if you can spend a night and add Malgas pontoon.

[Bex]

Do Brakkeduine.

[Andrew Rodrigues]

Paddle up Keurbooms river Plett , canoe rental at Cape nature office at N2 bridge
Watch ( or partake ) in the bungee jumping at Bloukrans
Visit Stormsriver village for treetop tours or Sedgway tour to big tree
Monkeyland and World of birds outside Plett
Adventureland water park just before Plett
Burchell 4x4 outside Plett run by Katot Meyer

[Mr.G]

Oudshoorn has some nice little stop overs on the Cango caves road including the safari park,,buffulspoort loadge if that the correct name..There is a nice little stop next to a dam where you can sit under the vines and enjoy a cold drink and eats while the kids play

[Peter1949]

Climb the George Peak.
Did it twice in my very much younger days!
No special equipment needed, just steep and tiring, but worth the view.

[Mike N]

....... seeing as the "Garden Route" ends at Mossel bay!

Not quite, the Garden Route District Municipality ends only at Witsand and the Breede River, first "open" beach will be Infanta across the river from Witsand.

[LouisF]

We LOVE the beach, so day trips to beaches South of Mossel bay are game seeing as the "Garden Route" ends at Mossel bay!

It ends at Stillbaai or even further towards Cape Town IIRC.

The Garden Route is from Mosselbaai to Stormsrivier. However, the Garden Route District Municipality is from Witsand to Stormsrivier. Squirrel mentioned "Garden Route District"

[NvD42]

I think you are right! Stilbaai is still okay if you can spend a night and add Malgas pontoon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesseq...l_Municipality

Hessequa is the western most Municipality included in the Garden Route District Municipality

The municipality covers an area of 5,733 square kilometres (2,214 sq mi) between the Langeberg mountains and the Indian Ocean, stretching from the Breede River in the west to the Gourits River in the east. It abuts on the Swellendam Municipality to the west, the Kannaland Municipality to the north, the Oudtshoorn Municipality to the northeast, and the Mossel Bay Municipality to the east.

Thus - Witsand is still a closed beach but Infanta is not :-) I think the MALGAS Pont will be BUSY

[NEON DEON]

Cool idea this , we will be in Mossel Bay next week , 24-01 . Our aim is to go view properties, so going to the beach was not high on the to do list . What I do find interesting is that with the beach ban , most of the 'other " attractions is going to be packed , either people in ques waiting to go in or once inside , just packed
I have not been to the Cango caves in 40 odd year if not more , but think they only take groups in , so how will they do the social distance thing?or will the caves be closed ? same with all the attractions! On the positive side these places will do better due to the beach ban .

[bones]

We are leaving for witsand on Friday. Or should I say supposed to.
Seems Infanta will also be closed at this stage. Next beach Arniston 2 hrs away...

[JLuxV6]

I think you are right! Stilbaai is still okay if you can spend a night and add Malgas pontoon.

Garden Route District Municipality includes Hessequa Local Municipality which goes up to Witsand...?

[Fanuse]

You are allowed on the beach with a fishing rod and a license to show if anyone asks... available from any post office 😉

[Peter1949]

Garden Route District Municipality includes Hessequa Local Municipality which goes up to Witsand...?

My brother has a permanent holiday caravan site and caravan at Stillbaai and he says the beach is closed.
However just up the river is OK for aquatic activities.

[MediumRoast]

Wine tastings onthe Plett wine route https://www.plettwinelands.co.za/#vineyards (i like Newstead and Kay and Monty)
Braai and "swim" in the stream / walk to the waterfall at Jubilee Creek (see photo)
Swim at Drupkelders (i haven't been there yet)
Mountain bike at Garden Route Trail Park (https://www.gardenroutetrailpark.com/), Cairnbrogie (https://www.cairnbrogie.co.za/), Sanparks (Harkerville Red Route, Petrus se Brand) or ride with the locals at Top of Simola (https://www.facebook.com/TopOfSimola) - permits for TOS from Knysna bike shops
Paradise 4x4 (on my list to do when i stop spending every free moment cycling)
I'll edit and add more when i think of them

[jab2]

The Garden Route is from Mosselbaai to Stormsrivier. However, the Garden Route District Municipality is from Witsand to Stormsrivier. Squirrel mentioned "Garden Route District"

No, it is from Witsand in the West to the Bloukrans River in the East, and inland to the Swartberg Mountain range. There are many definitions from tourist websites but the above is the extent of the Garden Route District Municipality.