George, Western Cape

George at a glance

The Garden Route at a glance
 

The world-renowned Garden Route is one of South Africa's best-kept secrets. Stretching almost 300kms from Witsands in the Western Cape to the marvellous Plettenberg Bay just below the Natural Reserve, these great spans of white sandy beaches and natural greenery offers some of the most spectacular views and natural delights.
 

From the hidden curiosities of the Karoo to the sophisticated offerings of the area Capital, George, The Garden Route provides residents and visitors with a unique yet appropriately South African experience.
 

Major Destinations


Four major destinations make up this region's coastal identity, with the towns of Knysna, George, Sedgefield, and Plettenberg Bay offering their unique flavours and charms catering to different buyers from different regions.

Knysna attracts the most visitors, with many of its homeowners being ex-Cape Tonians looking for a quiet country setting. On the flip side of this equation, Plettenberg Bay is your more traditional coastal town with wide sandy beaches attracting more up-country residents.

Finally, the town of Sedgefield seems to appeal to those seeking a slower and quieter pace of life. At the same time, George remains the largest and acts as a sophisticated and unmistakable hub for it all.

Property in The Garden Route

Depending on the town you live in and the aesthetic that appeals to you the most, The Garden Route offers a diverse selection of property, from massive, sprawling mansions that dot the cliff's edges to sizable sectional titles and one-bedroom apartments.

Beyond this, and thanks to the diverse property offering of the area, buyers can attain anything from riverside farms, mountain log cabins including lagoon or sea views or leafy forested settings.

Education

While Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay offer local primary schools, most younger families prefer to take advantage of the more extensive range of educational facilities in both George and Knysna.
 

These more developed towns include numerous preschools as well as well-maintained and good government primary and secondary schools.
 

These are the highest-rated schools for George.

• York High School

• Hoerskool Outeniqua (KWAGGAS) 

• Glenwood House School

• Francois Ferreira Academy - Technicon 

These are the highest-rated schools in Knysna.

• Oakhill School

• Knysna Montessori 
   

Also worth noting is the newer Greenwood Bay College in Plettenberg Bay which is becoming increasingly popular with those seeking independent education.
 

Entertainment and Retail
 

While each town bears their cultural flair and significance, Knysna and George remain the most popular destinations for shopping and retail. As the unofficial capital city of the Garden Route, George has all the amenities one would come to expect from a central city hub.
 

Some of the most prominent centres include the following:

• Garden Route Mall

• Paddagat Shopping Centre

• Cathedral Square

Knysna is best known for its hiking trails, impeccable views, and glorious terrain. However, that doesn't mean that this area doesn't have you covered in retail and shopping. While Goerge contains the lion's share of retail experiences, Knysna offers a more boutique experience that matches the quaint charm of this idyllic setting. 
 

As such, no visit to Knysna would be complete without stopping by the iconic Knysna Waterfront, which serves as both a tourist attraction and a retail destination. Other shopping centres include the following.

• Knysna Mall

• Woodmill Lane

• Die Oude Fabriek Shopping Mall
   

Well Known Restaurants

From Sedgefield to Natures Valley, you will find world-class restaurants and eateries along the coastal route. Some of the most notable stops include the Zinzi Restaurant in Plettenberg Bay, Ristorante Enrico on the Keurboomstrand, and the iconic East Head Cafe in Knysna.

As for the capital city of George, the 101 Meade Street Restaurant is touted as the best in the Western Cape, while other more homey establishments include La Capannina and The Hussar Grill.

For those of you heading further inland to Oudtshoorn, one simply cannot miss the delightful atmosphere of Nostalgie Restaurant along the famous Baron van Reede Street, where a young Queen Elizabeth once strolled hand in hand with her father, King George VI.

Notable Hospitals

While the Garden Route is a more atomised area dotted with smaller towns as opposed to a central city setting, each major stop is conveniently equipped with sophisticated medical facilities and hospitals. 

George - George Hospital 
Plettenberg Bay - Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay
Knysna - Knysna Provincial Hospital 
Oudtshoorn - Oudtshoorn Hospital-ER

Airports

The two most notable airports within the Garden Route include the George Airport (GRJ) and Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ). Neither of these airports offers flights outside of SA. Any overseas travel will require a trip to Cape Town International.

Contact Property Tree Garden Route

Whether you're looking for your dream property or lifestyle estate, contact us at Property Tree Garden Route and let our professional group of Property Practitioners find the right home!

https://www.property-tree.co.za/ or contact us: https://www.property-tree.co.za/contact/
 

Garden Route Property Practitioners
Cobus Van Tonder - 072 297 2739
America Harman - 083 458 4498