Tips for Garden Route in December

Ecco said:
We will be staying in Knysna for about 5 day,and plan yo do a day trips to Plett and Storms River etc. Traffic still any issue and something we need to factor?
Click to expand...
Once you are through/out of Knynsa it's generally ok in both directions up to about Wilderness, and all the way if you go the other way.

Between Wilderness and George there are now semi-permanent roadworks that can cause havoc on busy days.

The road between Plett and Keurbooms used to be a massive multi-hour bottleneck, but recent road upgrades have solved that problem completely.
 
Victoria bay is pretty cool, then if you hop over one of the passes at George there some nice wine tasting spots and eateries. Klein brak beach is usually nice to visit. Knysna you have the heads, Elephant park and leasure isle plus a boat ride is usually nice.
 
Last edited:
Wilderness was always my favourite, but I don't know what it's like after lockdown. I haven't been there since.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-1
Bumping this thread. Getting closer to our trip.

We driving to George as our first stop. With a stopover in Colesburg.

Whats the best route, from a road safety point of view, condition of the roads, has stops with toilets for the kids etc? Take the N9 or continue on the N1 and then take the N12?
 
Ecco said:
Bumping this thread. Getting closer to our trip.

We driving to George as our first stop. With a stopover in Colesburg.

Whats the best route, from a road safety point of view, condition of the roads, has stops with toilets for the kids etc? Take the N9 or continue on the N1 and then take the N12?
Click to expand...
IMHO take the N12

Passing through Meiringspoort by De Rust is worth the drive. I think overall the whole route is a bit more scenic.
 
N9 is going to be a lot faster. It is a good road with little of traffic, unlike the NI. IMO, get off the busy N1 as soon as you can, so that means takng the N9.

The N12 between Oudshoorn and the Oteniqua Pass is not a great road, bumpy at times, lots of curves and busy. You don't want to do it at late aftenoon ands night and at any time you need to pay attention as there are aggressive drives taking chances in both directions.

I agree with the previous poster that Meiringspoort is a well worth passing through. An option, if you want to to that, is taking the R341* to De Rust, off the N9. But whatever way, going via Meiringspoort is going to add hours to your trip. *You'll be travelling West so avoid if you will be travelling in the late afternoon. I have not driven this road.

Th N9 from Colesberg takes you through Graaff Reinet. That is definely worth a visit. If you overnight there, you will have an easy drive to George the next day. It is 350 kms. If you are driving straight through from Colesberg to George, you defintely want to go N9. You are going to have a long day driving anyway.
 
Last edited:
Ecco said:
Bumping this thread. Getting closer to our trip.

We driving to George as our first stop. With a stopover in Colesburg.

Whats the best route, from a road safety point of view, condition of the roads, has stops with toilets for the kids etc? Take the N9 or continue on the N1 and then take the N12?
Click to expand...
Can't speak to the N12 portion but we did Graaff Reinet to George on that N9 a few years back; I think it was between Aberdeen and Willowmore, the road is straight with good visibility, in good condition, and relatively little traffic (this was Covid times so the traffic might well be much more now). So it was easy to overtake and to be overtaken and you could really make hay for like 100km or so.
Not many 1Stop type places if I recall so be sure to fill up before but plenty of those little side road rest stop type set ups, you know with the table and benches where you can eat your own pack lunch if you have? And seemed safe enough to us cos we did that. Not much to see along the way so ultimately depends on your goal to be honest - timewise probably the N9, scenery and "fun" probably N12.
 
A few years ago we camped at Eb and Flow in Wilderness over December. The walking trails there are nice, also nice canoeing for kids and sunset cruises.
The puzzle park at Plet was a hit for the kids and still enjoyable for adults too.
Then a local told us a place to go stop at Sedgefield to go to the mouth of the lagoon just before it flows into the sea and have a swim, especially after high tide when water flows back. After that the children did not want to swim anywhere else. And for December time is was pretty quiet, not deserted but not overcrowded.
 
Jean Claude Vaaldamme said:
A few years ago we camped at Eb and Flow in Wilderness over December. The walking trails there are nice, also nice canoeing for kids and sunset cruises.
Click to expand...
Our neighbour used to be in charge of the camp (many years ago). We used to go stay by him for free when still in school.

Then a local told us a place to go stop at Sedgefield to go to the mouth of the lagoon just before it flows into the sea and have a swim, especially after high tide when water flows back. After that the children did not want to swim anywhere else.
Click to expand...
Best swimming spot :thumbsup:
But, damn that current can get hectic!
 
In Knysna there is the viewpoint at the Knysna Heads with spectacular views over the estuary and ocean. Bollard Bay on Leisure Isle is a great place to take young kids. Fisherman’s Walk along the cliff tops in Brenton-on-Sea as well as the long stretch of beach between Brenton and Buffalo Bay. The Featherbed Nature Reserve tour on the Western Heads. The Belvidere Hotel and the historic Bell restaurant and pub. The Old Church in Belvidere. Whale watching and fishing cruises.
There are plenty of good restaurants and pubs e.g. Piza e Vino right on the water at The Heads, 34 Degrees South and Drydock Food Co. at the Waterfront, Freshline Fisheries just off Waterfont Drive, Tapas, Sirrocco, Ille de Pan bakery and The Tubine Hotel on Thesen Island, Enricos at Keurboomstrand and the Plett Angling Club right on the beach in Plettenberg Bay across from the Beacon Isle. Blend Country Restaurant and Pub and Bosuns pub and restaurant, both just off George Rex Drive. Blend also has live music on Sundays and more often during December.
Lots of markets including the Knysna Friday Night market in Welbedacht, Sedgefield Wild Oats market and Harkerville market on Saturday mornings Old Nick’s market in Plettenberg Bay on Wednesdays and Totties Country Market on Sundays at Totties Restaurant in Rheenendal.
If you would like some Knysna shopping and retail recommendations as well, please let me know.
 
Last edited:
Thank to all the very useful tips from all who shared. Its much appreciated.
 
Ecco said:
Thank to all the very useful tips from all who shared. Its much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Ecco, I’m going down to the Garden Route in December with my family (I grew up in the area), so one cool thing you might want to consider is tickets on the steam train (I’ve never been but bought tickets in the hope it is as much fun as I remember when steam trains roamed the area): https://scrail.co.za/

Don’t forget the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George if you’re interested in seeing some truly amazing trains in a warehouse environment:
https://share.google/HZ0hsnVytfo2FsLYt

If you crave a modern mall, catching a movie etc, the Garden Route Mall in George is good for that: https://www.gardenroutemall.co.za/

Brenton-on-Sea just outside of Knysna is an amazing drive to a small town (complete with beach and restaurant). I remember the butterfly reserve outside the town.

Mossel Bay’s big cave overlooking the sea (complete with local dassie population) is a crowd favourite. And while you’re in Mossel Bay, a visit to walk on a ship and look at the local post office tree will drive the kids wild:
Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex
https://share.google/6iMzy4Xw4dimA6Pca

If you discover anything else worthwhile while you’re down there, share it here! I’m subscribing for last-minute ideas.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Ecco, I’m going down to the Garden Route in December with my family (I grew up in the area), so one cool thing you might want to consider is tickets on the steam train (I’ve never been but bought tickets in the hope it is as much fun as I remember when steam trains roamed the area): https://scrail.co.za/

Don’t forget the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George if you’re interested in seeing some truly amazing trains in a warehouse environment:
https://share.google/HZ0hsnVytfo2FsLYt

If you crave a modern mall, catching a movie etc, the Garden Route Mall in George is good for that: https://www.gardenroutemall.co.za/

Brenton-on-Sea just outside of Knysna is an amazing drive to a small town (complete with beach and restaurant). I remember the butterfly reserve outside the town.

Mossel Bay’s big cave overlooking the sea (complete with local dassie population) is a crowd favourite. And while you’re in Mossel Bay, a visit to walk on a ship and look at the local post office tree will drive the kids wild:
Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex
https://share.google/6iMzy4Xw4dimA6Pca

If you discover anything else worthwhile while you’re down there, share it here! I’m subscribing for last-minute ideas.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tips. I see you doing a steam train, the below as shared by @dualmeister also looks great

dualmeister said:
The George Power Van. A nice long meander up the mountain overlooking George
Click to expand...
 
Noetzie

1764050352093.jpeg


Tenikwa wildlife.

1764050275876.jpeg

Cango caves.

1764050053034.jpeg


Sedgefield beach

1764050139167.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X