LENGTH: 400 KM

DONT MISS ::Knysna Lagoon ::Garden of Eden ::Seven Passes road ::Millwood Ruins

George, set at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, forms an integral part of the Garden Route. The town is the western terminal for the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a vintage steam train that runs daily (except for Sundays and certain holidays) between George and Knysna. This ride is just over two-and-a-half hours long and takes passengers on a scenic route over rivers (a favourite being the Kaaimans River mouth) and along lakes and lagoons.

Leaving George and joining the N2 takes you first to the coastal town of Wilderness, which, true to its name, is surrounded by dense coastal vegetation. Wilderness offers the attraction of a "lakes-drive" that takes tourists past the Island, Langvlei, Rondvlei and Swartvlei lakes.

Another lake, Groenvlei, is situated on the coastal side of the N2 on the way to Buffels Bay, a small village favoured by watersports enthusiasts.

The Goukamma Nature Reserve, which protects 14 kilometres of coastline to the west of Buffels Bay, is situated just west of Buffels Bay.

Rejoining the N2 and heading east takes you to the capital of the Garden Route, Knysna.

Situated on the edge of an 18 000-hectare lagoon, Knysna is one of South Africa's most picturesque resorts.

Most of the country's top artists have made the town their home and, as a result, Knysna has many art galleries to visit.

However, if an attraction has to be singled out, it must be a ferry trip across the spectacular lagoon to the unspoilt western head that forms part of the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

Here, visitors can explore the reserve on the 2,2-kilometre Bushbuck Trail, where Cape grysbok, blue duiker and bushbuck can be observed. Many points along the way also offer magnificent views over the lagoon. Also keep an eye out for the indigenous Knysna lourie and other birds such as the kingfisher and the cinnamon dove.

From Knysna continue along the coast, past the splendid Garden of Eden wet forest, to Plettenberg Bay, a popular holiday destination known for its long white beaches. Southern right whales visit the bay in August and September to calve.

Nearby lies the Robberg Nature Reserve, which allows visitors to view the area's many caves, as well as the colourful bird life.

From Plett, the N2 hugs the coast towards the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, which protects the forested cliffs and pristine river. The Keurbooms can be navigated by canoe upstream as far as Whiskey Creek.

At Keurbooms, leave the N2 and take the R340 to Kruisvallei, before aiming for the coast and back to Knysna.

From Knysna, if you have enough time, take the gravel road to Rheenendal over the Phantom Pass and head for the Millwood Ruins. Gold was discovered here in 1876 and, as a result, a bustling mining town was soon established. But the gold reef was thin so miners soon started leaving. Today, only a few fruit trees, a cemetery, an old steam boiler and the Bendigo mine shaft remain.

The way back to George may be only partly tarred, but the scenery offered by the Seven Passes road is spectacular.

Including the previously mentioned Phantom Pass, the road also takes in the Homtini, Karatara, Hoogekraal, Touw River, Silver River and Kaaimans passes. The road (a national monument) cuts through dense forests, crosses numerous rivers and explores many deep gorges.