Garden Route Popular Attractions

Five… four… three… Experience the extreme thrill of the highest commercial bungy jump bridge in the world. So you’re brave enough? After being secured in a full body harness, you walk along a 200-metre catwalk suspended beneath the road surface. This gets you to the place where it all happens – the top of the arch – 216 metres above the Bloukrans River! Not into plunging headfirst? Try the exhilarating zip across the gorge on a 200-metre Flying Fox cable slide (foofie slide in South Africa speak). This takes you to the top of the arch where you can watch all the action. For the less fearless you can walk along the catwalk to the top of the arch from where you look out over the gorge to the mountains and the sea in the distance.

Mossel Bay lies on the other side of the protruding peninsula of Cape St Blaize, a rocky headland that has long been a danger to ships at night. This dramatic spot houses the elegant white Victorian lighthouse that still functions as a beacon to navigators. Built in 1864, Cape St Blaize Lighthouse was one of the only two lighthouses manned 24 hours daily on the South African Coastline. Until the late 1970s a clockwork system turned the lens and required a lighthouse keeper to wind it up every three hours. Now fully automated, a team of lighthouse keepers are still employed to keep a constant radio watch and undertake regular meteorological duties. Open to visitors Monday to Friday from 10:00 – 12:00 and again from 12:30 – 15:00, closed on weekends and public holidays. Montagu Street (The Point), CBD, Mossel Bay +27 (0) 44 690 3015

Feel the blast of air on your face at the original African bungy jump site. Going strong since 1989, this jump is the longest running bungy site in Africa and offers a big ground rush and plenty of adrenalin. Fancy going feet first? Jump off on the Gourits Bridge Swing. This is described as the best experience in flying without wings and the ultimate swing. Choose to leap, fall or dive off the platform while being securely attached to the opposite bridge. You can even do it in tandem with a special friend or loved one. Operating daily from 09:00 - 17:00 +27 (0) 44 6977 001

A trip to Knysna Heads is a prerequisite for first time visitors to Knynsa. Two dramatic sea cliffs guard the entrance to the lagoon from the surging ocean.The Eastern Head has a lookout with spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is primarily a privately owned nature reserve reached only by ferry – Featherbed Nature Reserve. Four-hour excursions depart daily from the Knysna Waterfront.An onboard excursion to Knysna Heads is a thrilling experience and there are various options available. The ultimate cruise is aboard a catamaran such as the Zakat, which cruises through the Heads while serving oysters and champagne. The perfect way to end a day!

Climb aboard Ocean Rhythm and explore the beautiful Plettenberg Bay coastline. Experience the power of the wind in the sails and the sound of the ocean lapping at the bows. Spot whales, dolphins and seals at play in breathtaking surroundings. Take the helm and learn the basics of sailing, put out a line and see what bites or kick back, glass of bubbly in hand. This Knysna-built 44 foot sailing catamaran offers a high level of luxury, comfort and space. Options include sunset cruises, day cruises, overnight charters, fishing, and exclusive parties and functions. For more info contact 082 881 2937.

Explore Plettenberg Bay’s stunning coastline looking for whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, seabirds and other marine life from a twin-hull ski boat. Ocean Safaris offer exciting whale and dolphin watching trips guided by knowledgeable qualified skippers. They are permitted to conduct close encounters with whales and are Fair Trade accredited. Pop in to their interesting office in Hopwood Street to find out more. You'll find a warm welcome, reconstructed skeletons, whalebones, free Internet and coffee.

Monkey about and zip between the tree tops for a unique forest experience. Situated in the magnificent Tsitsikamma Forest, the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour was the first tree top canopy tour to be developed in South Africa. Combining a generous shot of adrenaline with a stunning setting, the trip through the trees consists of 10 platforms and 10 slides, the longest of which is 100 metres. Steel cables are suspended up to 30 metres above the forest floor and most of the platforms are in massive Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is amazing from this height. Well-trained professional guides keep you entertained with interesting details about the forest during the two to three hour trip. Tours start with a thorough safety briefing followed by a kitting up session. At this stage you will be issued and assisted with a full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment which is then checked. A short drive takes you into the Tsitsikamma Forest and then the fun begins!

Looking for hip and unusual things to do on the Garden Route? Segway Off-Road ECO-Tours offer guided tours on a Segway Personal Transporter, a great way to see the outdoors. The Segway Personal Transporter is easy and safe to use. Before each tour, guests receive a thorough orientation from an experienced trainer. Tours pass through the quaint Storms River Village, into the Tsitsikamma pine forest and over the historical Witteklip Bridge. Booking is essential. www.segwaytours.co.za