Adventure awaits in the Garden Route
Activities in and around George and the Garden Route
Apart from the golden beaches, pin-drop-silent forests, sweeping lakes and birds eye-view passes, George in the Garden Route also offers a series of unforgettable experiences and activities throughout the year. From extreme adventure activities to milder family orientated activities, you are spoilt for choice!
Here for your enjoyment ,we have listed but a few of the many fun activities you can do in and around George.
Activities:
Your first contact should be with Eden Adventures. You can put a package together to cover all adventure activities your heart may desire - info@eden.co.za
Beaches
Explore the Coastline While Staying at Acorn Guest House in George
Looking for accommodation near Victoria Bay, Herolds Bay, Glentana, or Great Brak? Acorn Guest House in George offers the perfect base for beach lovers and outdoor adventurers exploring South Africa’s stunning Garden Route coastline.
🌊 Victoria Bay – A Hidden Gem for Surfers and Swimmers
Just a short drive from Acorn Guest House, Victoria Bay is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the world. Tucked into a scenic cove, this non-commercial bay offers excellent swimming, world-class surfing, and a relaxed family atmosphere. Lie back on green grass, watch dolphins playing in the surf, and during winter, spot migrating whales. Vic Bay is a must-visit for anyone staying in George or nearby.
🌅 Herolds Bay – Family-Friendly Fun and Tidal Pools
Only 15km from George, Herolds Bay is nestled in a river valley and loved by both locals and visitors. Popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing, this sheltered beach is ideal for sunbathing and family outings. The tidal pools at low tide provide hours of safe fun for children, making it a top choice for a beach day during your Garden Route stay.
🐬 Glentana & Great Brak – Peaceful Coastal Escapes
For those seeking a quieter beach experience, Glentana and Great Brak River offer untouched beauty and tranquil shores. These lesser-known gems are perfect for whale watching from July to November, spotting dolphins and seals, or simply enjoying the serenity of the sea. These beaches remain some of the most peaceful along the Southern Cape coast.
🚶♀️ Glentana Shipwreck Hike – A Scenic Adventure
Experience the natural beauty of the coast on the Glentana Shipwreck Trail, a scenic beach walk that leads to the remains of a historic shipwreck. It’s a favourite for hikers and photographers, and just one of the many outdoor activities you can enjoy while based at Acorn Guest House.
Reasons why Farm Fresh rocks in George
Outeniqua Farmer’s Market
The Outeniqua Farmer’s Market have over 125 different food and craft stalls that have the beautiful Outeniqua mountain range as a backdrop. The perfect place to get your farm fresh fix.
Hops Valley Farm Stall
On the road from George to Oudtshoorn, this classic country farm stall is stocked with locally made chutneys, jams and pickled vegetables. Every South African knows a road trip isn’t complete without a stop at a quirky little roadside farm stall. This one also happens to serve delicious pizza, so you can order and browse the shop while you wait, having Pizza and home-made lemonade or ginger beer for lunch.
Silver Lily Cheese Farm
Situated on the Geelhoutboom Road on the rural outskirts of George, easily accessible from all main roads, Silver Lily Cheese Farm invites you on an aromatic cheese tasting adventure. Enjoy handmade Dutch style farm cheese (10 flavours), watch the interesting process of cheese making then sample some in the form of a cheese platter lunch accompanied by a glass of wine or fruit juice in the tranquil surroundings of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Zucchini Restaurant
At the Timberlake Farm Stall and Organic Food Centre, just outside Wilderness, there is a great little restaurant that has a menu completely inspired by organic local farm fresh produce. Try their stinging nettle pesto chicken salad or a craft beer platter set in a quaint peaceful garden.
Outeniqua Hop Route
This route from Herold’s Bay to Oudtshoorn takes you on a winding tour through what is also known as the land of milk and honey. Weaving your way through lush farmlands and picturesque mountain passes, this is the best way to experience all the activities and farm fresh stops along the way.
Over the Mountain Guest Farm
With George being the premier hop growing region in South Africa, no farm fresh experience would be complete without visiting a hop farm and having the opportunity to wander through the hop fields under the full moon on a warm summer’s evening. This hop farm also offers accommodation and their guests the opportunity to learn about this very interesting method of farming. Hops being one of the main ingredients in beer, you’ll certainly feel as though you’ve earned your cold one after walking around all evening.
Outeniqua Power Van & Transport Museum
A trip in a vintage railcar through tunnels, past waterfalls, fynbos, proteas and birdlife. Before you embark, experience a trip down memory lane at the Transport Museum, enjoy displays of various models of steam locomotives, road motor vehicles and a vintage car selection.
Herold Wines
Herold Wines is tucked away on the north-facing slopes of Cradock Peak in the Outeniqua Mountains, part of the scenic Garden Route. Surrounded by nature reserve, the vineyard enjoys a cool, high-altitude climate with mountain mists, frosts, and year-round rain — ideal for a long, slow-growing season.
Wine tasting takes place in a relaxed, working cellar where visitors might catch the winemaking in action or see bottles hand-labelled by the farm team. The setting is warm and welcoming, often hosted by the owners themselves. Enjoy light lunches, teas, or a picnic among the vines. Wheelchair accessible.
Redberry Farm
From bumble ball to mini train rides and bumper boats. Redberry Farm is the first beacon that greets tourists along the beautiful Outeniqua Hop Route, and while you are there why not pick your own strawberries, at the largest hedge maze in the Southern Hemisphere.
Wilderness, Garden Route
Wilderness is known for its long white sandy beaches and lagoons. This village caters mostly for holiday makers and is situated on the Touws River Lagoon. Take a long stroll, visit the Milkwood Crafts Village or relax at one of the local Restaurants.
Take note the 7 passes road is currently closed, we hope that it will be open again soon. Gear up for some paragliding over the Map of Africa. Enjoy a leisurely walk-through indigenous forest to the confluence of the Kaaimans & Silver Rivers. Abseil in the serene Kaaimans Gorge next to a magnificent waterfall or pack a picnic and some swimming gear, hire a canoe and head to the Touws River.
Wilderness Segway Tours
A 1-hour Segway Tour Experience
The Wilderness Segway tours operate within the Ebb and Flow National Park which forms part of the Garden Route National Park – Wilderness section of SANParks. Stunning views of local indigenous Fynbos and of the Touws River that flows through the Park. Included in the 1-hour Segway tour is a 15-20-minute training session on a training course as part of the 1-hour Segway experience. After the training you will go on a journey through the Kingfisher Trail where you will marvel at the fynbos and Wetlands surroundings. A small access fee is applicable to enter the park, so spend the day. You can take your own picnic lunch and enjoy time swimming in the river next to the offices at the day visitor’s area of the park.
www.segwayfun.co.za
Wild2Fly
Exclusive scenic beach flights for powered hang gliding and paragliding along the Wilderness coast
Eden Adventures
The main tours include canoeing, kloofing and abseiling, but for those who would like to explore the area in their own time, Eden Adventures has an affordable range of canoes for hire.
Paragliding & Parasailing
Dolphin Paragliding – Join us for limitless adventure in the skies.
Abseiling
Canyon Adventures offers three different 3hr – half day experiences in Wilderness: The Dry Canyon Abseil Adventure, The Full Canyon Trip and the River Adventure
River rafting & tubing
Fearless adventures – We offer day outings to some of the best climbing spots in the Southern Cape. Enjoy fun rapids and wave trains while river boarding your way down the Kaaimans canyon. Spend the day with us canyoning in one of the most epic canyons in the Wilderness area.
www.fearlessadventures.co.za
Perdepoort Horse Trails
Enjoy lovely ride in the indigenous forest in wilderness. Novice and experienced riders.
Half Collared King Fisher Trail
This is a nice shady walk through the forest, you are likely to see most of our birds e.g. the Knysna Loerie, Giant Kingfisher and the Fish Eagle. You will also see the Yellow Wood Trees.
Knysna, Garden Route
Enjoy the ferry ride on the Knysna Lagoon. Visit the viewpoints on the eastern head and see spectacular views from the Heads overlooking the channel, Indian Ocean, the Knysna Lagoon and estuary and the Outeniqua Mountains. Visit the Waterfront with its many restaurants.
Knysna Rib Adventures
Hold on tight for a safe ride on the unique Knysna RIB* adventure power boat that offers a unique combination eco adventure tour. Apart from the pristine estuary, an adventure through the infamous Knysna Heads will be the ultimate boating experience. Once out to sea the world is our oyster, where one can experience a vast array of bird and marine life as well as breath-taking scenery.
Drupkelders Hiking Trail
This is certainly one of Knysna’s hidden gems and I am fortunate to have heard about it. Although it is a relatively short walk, only 3.6km, the hills and descents are very steep.
Diaz Express
This is a fun rail experience for the whole family running on the existing Transnet rail network, between George and Mossel Bay. Mossel Bay serves as the main point of departure with excursions to a variety of attractions including the ever-popular Santos Beach, Great Brak River, Glentana and Maalgate. All excursions have lovely views over the Indian Ocean (with a ringside seat for whale watching during the season), river estuaries and the indigenous plant life of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Kite Surfing
Kite-surfing at this spot is open to all level of kite-surfers and is a year round activity.
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
Offering guided safari game drives, horseback safaris, horseback outrides, guided bush walks and more.
Tsitsikama Canapy Tour
This is a fun activity for young and old to enjoy. There are double lines giving two clients an opportunity to zip together. The first platform is located near the Cango Caves entrance and is 180m from Platform two, from here guests will take a short walk of approximately 200m to Platform three. During this walk guests will need to walk down 102 steps to arrive at Platform 3.
Rust & Vrede Waterfall
The waterfall is hidden among the bracken-clad heights; therefore, a walk over little bridges are required along the mountain trail. You are inspired by the beautiful wild flowers that bloom in great profusion alongside the path while far below amidst ferns and undergrowth, a powerful river ripples over rocky edges.
Swartberg Scenic Drive
Where Mountains Touch the Sky
Swartberg Pass – The Crown Jewel of Gravel Road Adventures
Often called the Rubicon of gravel passes, the legendary Swartberg Pass is steeped in history and natural grandeur. This awe-inspiring route is a National Monument and widely regarded as Thomas Bain’s finest feat of engineering. Winding its way through the rugged Swartberg Mountains for nearly 24 km, the pass takes about an hour to drive — not counting the stops you’ll want to make to take in the ever-changing, jaw-dropping scenery.
This is more than just a drive — it’s a journey through ancient geology, dramatic cliffs, and sweeping mountain views. Each turn reveals a new landscape more breathtaking than the last.
Good to know:
Suitable for all vehicles in fair weather
Not recommended for those with a fear of heights
Bring your camera — and your sense of wonder
Whether you're a nature lover, history enthusiast, or simply seeking the road less travelled, the Swartberg Pass promises an unforgettable experience high in the heart of the Garden Route’s Mountain kingdom.
Share This Page