The best things to do in the Garden Route.

From the Cango Caves to corners you’ve never heard of — find your next Garden Route adventure here.

From the Cango Caves to corners you’ve never heard of — find your next Garden Route adventure here.

Welcome to toodoo.co.za – your local guide to discovering the best of the Garden Route.

Welcome to toodoo.co.za – your local guide to discovering the best of the Garden Route.

Plan a holiday, find a kids’ party venue, explore Blue Flag beaches, wander through buzzing markets, or uncover hidden gems along the coast. And soon, you’ll be able to browse the best places to eat, with our new restaurant listings launching soon.

Stretching from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is loved for its coastline, outdoor lifestyle, vibrant towns, and family-friendly activities. With more South Africans choosing to live, travel, and explore here, there’s never been a better time to discover everything on your doorstep – and toodoo.co.za is here to show you the way.

Plan a holiday, find a kids’ party venue, explore Blue Flag beaches, wander through buzzing markets, or uncover hidden gems along the coast. And soon, you’ll be able to browse the best places to eat, with our new restaurant listings launching soon.

Recently Added

Meet the Big Cats at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
June 18, 2025
A one-of-a-kind big cat sanctuary in the Garden Route.
Archery Adventures in Plettenberg Bay – A Unique Family Experience
June 3, 2025
Outdoor archery near Plett—great for families, birthdays, and small groups.
Klankspore: Songs and Stories in Wilderness
May 26, 2025
A heartfelt acoustic evening with Richard van der Westhuizen & Andrew Roos.
A Gamer’s Paradise in George
March 13, 2025
Discover Lone Rogue Productions in George—a haven for gamers and anime fans alike.
Ballots Bay Tree House Weekend Getaway
April 12, 2024
Unique weekend escape in Ballots Bay Tree House, where adventure meets tranquility.

Activities

A Gamer’s Paradise in George

Discover Lone Rogue Productions in George—a haven for gamers and anime fans alike.

A Gamer’s Paradise in George

Discover Lone Rogue Productions in George—a haven for gamers and anime fans alike.
Boy practicing archery with recurve bow on grassy lawn

Archery Adventures in Plettenberg Bay – A Unique Family Experience

Outdoor archery near Plett—great for families, birthdays, and small groups.
Boy practicing archery with recurve bow on grassy lawn

Archery Adventures in Plettenberg Bay – A Unique Family Experience

Outdoor archery near Plett—great for families, birthdays, and small groups.
White lion resting on grassy mound under cloudy blue sky

Meet the Big Cats at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary

A one-of-a-kind big cat sanctuary in the Garden Route.
White lion resting on grassy mound under cloudy blue sky

Meet the Big Cats at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary

A one-of-a-kind big cat sanctuary in the Garden Route.

Events

Friday, June 20, 2025

Klankspore: Songs and Stories in Wilderness

A heartfelt acoustic evening with Richard van der Westhuizen & Andrew Roos.
Friday, June 20, 2025

Klankspore: Songs and Stories in Wilderness

A heartfelt acoustic evening with Richard van der Westhuizen & Andrew Roos.
Thursday, June 19, 2025

Chess games with the Wilderness Chess Club

Join the chess club at Wilderness Hotel for fast-paced games every Thursday evening.
Thursday, June 19, 2025

Chess games with the Wilderness Chess Club

Join the chess club at Wilderness Hotel for fast-paced games every Thursday evening.
Saturday, June 21, 2025

Experience the Sedgefield Mosaic Market

Discover a colorful Saturday market with crafts, food, music, and family fun.
Saturday, June 21, 2025

Experience the Sedgefield Mosaic Market

Discover a colorful Saturday market with crafts, food, music, and family fun.

Camping

Boat-camp-fish at Island Lake Holiday Resort in Wilderness

Experience the Perfect Blend of Boating and Camping in Garden Route.

Boat-camp-fish at Island Lake Holiday Resort in Wilderness

Experience the Perfect Blend of Boating and Camping in Garden Route.

Afri Eco Resort near Wilderness

The very definition of “glamping”. You will love getting spoiled at the Afri Eco campsite near Wilderness with campsites AND fully catered tented sites. Great sunsets, lots to do and plenty of luxury to go around.

Afri Eco Resort near Wilderness

The very definition of “glamping”. You will love getting spoiled at the Afri Eco campsite near Wilderness with campsites AND fully catered tented sites. Great sunsets, lots to do and plenty of luxury to go around.

ATKV Hartenbos Caravan Park

Come and enjoy what is great about Afrikaans culture along with the beautiful views of the ocean. Plenty to do for young and old at this iconic ATKV resort from heated pools to mini golf, restaurants, a waterpark and much more.

ATKV Hartenbos Caravan Park

Come and enjoy what is great about Afrikaans culture along with the beautiful views of the ocean. Plenty to do for young and old at this iconic ATKV resort from heated pools to mini golf, restaurants, a waterpark and much more.

Sightseeing

Bright yellow Elvis Brew sign with "Elvis Blue" logo, established during lockdown.

Coffee at Elvis Brew and Plant Shopping Near George Airport

Start your Saturday with a great cup of coffee at Elvis Brew near George Airport, then browse plants at Bargain Nursery.
Bright yellow Elvis Brew sign with "Elvis Blue" logo, established during lockdown.

Coffee at Elvis Brew and Plant Shopping Near George Airport

Start your Saturday with a great cup of coffee at Elvis Brew near George Airport, then browse plants at Bargain Nursery.
Plate of oysters and wine at Oysters R Us near Timberlake

Best Fresh Oysters at Oysters R Us

Enjoy the best fresh oysters and charming views at Oysters Are Us near Timberlake.
Plate of oysters and wine at Oysters R Us near Timberlake

Best Fresh Oysters at Oysters R Us

Enjoy the best fresh oysters and charming views at Oysters Are Us near Timberlake.
Moonlight Meander

Discovering the Nighttime Marvels

Starting a Moonlight Meander feels like entering a different realm, lit not by sunlight but by the gentle glow of the moon.
Moonlight Meander

Discovering the Nighttime Marvels

Starting a Moonlight Meander feels like entering a different realm, lit not by sunlight but by the gentle glow of the moon.

Looking for something to do on a cloudy windy rainy sunny day, with two small kids and a dog?

Looking for something to do but not sure where to start and don’t want to end up being stuck at the mall? Let us make a few suggestions based on your needs and budget requirements. 

Looking for something to
do on a day?

Looking for something to do but not sure where to start? Let us make a few suggestions based on your needs. 

What is the Garden Route?

The Garden Route is a beautiful and popular stretch of coastline in South Africa, known for its lush indigenous forests, sandy Blue Flag beaches, and diverse flora and fauna. The region is home to many towns, each with its own unique charm and attractions.

The Garden Route spans 200 kilometers from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape.

Knysna Lagoon

Which towns are in the Garden Route

Along this stretch of coastline, several towns attract tourists from all over the world. In total, there are around 20 towns in the Garden Route, each with its own distinct character.

Starting from the western end of the Garden Route, Mossel Bay is the first town that you will encounter. This historic town has a rich maritime history and is home to several museums and cultural attractions. It is also a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts and has several beaches and surfing spots.

As you continue along the coast, you will come across the towns of George and Wilderness. George, the largest town in the Garden Route, is renowned for its natural beauty and boasts several top-rated golf courses, including the world-renowned Fancourt Links Golf Course. Designed by Gary Player and opened in 2000, this course has gained international acclaim.

Wilderness, on the other hand, is a quieter town that is popular among nature lovers and birdwatchers. The town has several hiking trails and nature reserves where you can see a variety of wildlife and plant species.

As you continue eastwards, you will come across the towns of Sedgefield, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. Sedgefield is a small, sleepy town that is known for its weekly markets and tranquil lagoon. Knysna is a bustling town that is famous for its oysters and scenic beauty. It is also home to several attractions such as the Knysna Heads and the Knysna Elephant Park.

Plettenberg Bay, or Plett as it is commonly known, is a popular holiday destination with several beaches, nature reserves, and adventure activities.

Finally, at the eastern end of the Garden Route, you will find Storms River village(Storms Rivier as it is known to locals). Storms River is situated in the Tsitsikamma National Park and is known for its rugged beauty and outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and bungee jumping.

Whether you are looking for a bustling holiday destination or a quiet town to relax and unwind, there is something for everyone in the Garden Route. So why not plan a trip and explore this beautiful part of South Africa for yourself?

What are the names of the other towns in the Garden Route?

The Garden Route encompasses a total of 20 towns, stretching from west to east; these towns include Mossel Bay, Hartenbos, Little Brak River, Great Brak River, Glentana, Herolds Bay, George, Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, Rheenendal, Brenton, Barrington, Plettenberg Bay, Keurboomstrand, Nature’s Valley, The Crags, Kurland, and Storms River. While the list covers all significant towns along the route, there are also several smaller villages and settlements located within the area.

If you want to tag any of these posts in your social media posts you could use one of their existing tags, they include #plettitsafeeling #iconicmosselbay #wilderness #Sedgefield #knysna

Where does the name Knysna come from?

The name Knysna is derived from the Khoisan word “Xthuys Xna“, which means “place of wood” or “fern leaves“.

The Khoisan were the indigenous people who lived in the area before the arrival of Europeans. They named the area after the Knysna River, which flows into the Knysna Lagoon and out to the Indian Ocean.

Upcoming Events!

20 Jun
Klankspore: Songs and Stories in Wilderness
31 May
Discover the Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market in Sedgefield
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