The Garden Route is a colloquial term for a stretch of road that takes us from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. It comprises of small cities and towns along the coast of South Africa. The Garden Route begins in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape and gently meanders along the coastline between the sea, mountains, and through beautiful forests to Storms River in the Eastern Cape. There are differing opinions as to where the Garden Route starts and ends. Some say it begins in Heidelberg, and others say Hermanus. Nevertheless, this pristine coastline has incredible sights and experiences to offer.

The Garden Route consists of many small cities and towns. Some of which are: Mossel Bay, Hartenbos, Little Brak River, Herold’s Bay, George, Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Nature’s Valley, Keurboomstrand, Oudtshoorn, and Storms River. The most popular and well-known towns along the Garden Route are Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Mossel Bay. However, there are numerous stops along the way.

The Tsitsikamma National Park has a breathtaking canopy tour, and at its foothills lies Nature’s Valley, which offers the famed Bloukrans pass bungee jump, one of the highest bungee jumps in the world. Thrill seeking climbers and hikers can find adrenaline-filled action on the cliffs of The Crags in Plettenberg Bay. For animal lovers, there are various nature reserves and trails. These include a diversity of fauna and flora, including bird, monkey, elephant, and cat sanctuaries along the Garden Route. The Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay, the Gondwana Game Reserve, The Garden Route National Park, Wilderness National Park, and Knysna Forest Reserve are just some of the protected wildlife areas where holiday-makers can appreciate nature. With its warmer water and superb swell, the Indian Ocean beckons to surfers from around South Africa.

George

Along the N2, which connects Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, you are able to explore a whole variety of eclectic towns. The largest of which is George, established by the Dutch East India Company in 1776. Today, George is considered one of the main buzzing business hubs for industry, transport, and administration in the Garden Route. Although George is commonly known as a prime holiday destination and a wonderful place to settle down and retire, it is also the fastest growing city in South Africa, and now the second largest city in the Western Cape. All necessary amenities are readily available, including private and public hospitals and renowned schools including George High School, Hoërskool Outeniqua and, York High School. There are two Tertiary institutions as well, South Cape College and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The Garden Route Mall and Eden Meander are regularly frequented by residents and tourists alike.

George is nestled on a 10km plateau between the slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains and the vast Indian Ocean. The surrounding areas of the city feature lush, diverse plant life, including the Cape Wildflower Floral Kingdom which blossoms within the fertile valley. There are thriving farmlands, dense, abundant forests, and calm, snaking streams and rivers around George. The vast, white, sandy beaches of surrounding areas draw crowds that want to bathe in the sun, take a dip and spend a warm day by the seaside. The weather in George is temperate and moderate and seems never to get too hot or too cold, which allows for holidaymakers to pursue all manner of adventures, including; mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, and surfing. For those that prefer the indoors, there are sports and leisure clubs, and movie theatres.

Average selling price vs. listing price in George

Data from Property24 Market Report

Market Stock on Residential Properties

Data from Lightstone Town Report

Property.CoZa Destiny

Property.CoZa currently has more than one hundred listings spanning across the Garden Route. These properties are carefully and professionally managed by our Property.CoZa Destiny franchise based in George. Franchisees, Retha Rousseau and Belinda Coetzee, have a lively team to assist you, whether you are looking for a property to buy, marketing your property to sell, or in need of property to rent, our property professionals are well equipped to help you. Our listings span across multiple property sectors, including the commercial, agricultural and residential markets. Currently, we have sectional title properties for sale, farmland, golf estates, apartments, free standing units, vacant land, and more. Security and access-controlled estates have become more popular in South Africa in recent years according to this article. However, in George, freehold houses seem to be most popular, taking 80% of the market stock.

Positioned right in the centre of George, our agents have easy access to the entire Garden Route and know the area incredibly well. We are able to list properties throughout South Africa and many of our Property.CoZa Destiny sales team focus on the Garden Route. If you are interested in selling, buying, or renting property or acquiring land, please contact us now. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our regular property alerts so that you can be notified when there is a property that meets with your specifications available for viewing in your area of interest.