Long before the Garden Route became synonymous with road trips, this coastal corridor between Mossel Bay and Storms River was a place of movement, survival and exchange, writes Miriam Kimvangu.
Robberg Nature Reserve/Alyssa Elliott/Unsplash
The earliest known inhabitants of the region were the Khoi and San communities, whose presence stretches back thousands of years. Archaeological sites along the southern Cape coast point to a deep relationship with the land and sea. Shell middens, rock art and tools found in caves such as those in the Robberg Nature Reserve offer evidence of seasonal migration, fishing practices and spiritual life. These early communities navigated dense forests and rugged coastline without the need for formal roads. Their paths followed water sources, game trails and natural clearings.
The arrival of European explorers in the late 15th century marked a turning point. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the southern tip of Africa and made landfall at Mossel Bay. This moment linked the region to global maritime routes, though inland travel remained slow and unpredictable. Dense indigenous forests, later known collectively as the Knysna Forest, created a natural barrier. These forests were rich in hardwoods such as yellowwood and stinkwood, resources that would later shape the local economy.
Mossel Bay/Trey Smith/Unsplash
Knysna Forest/redcharlie/Unsplash
By the 18th century, the Dutch colonial frontier had expanded eastward from Cape Town. Trekboers moved into the region, establishing farms and informal trade networks. Yet the terrain made overland travel extremely difficult. Rivers were unpredictable. Forests were thick. Coastal cliffs limited access. Early routes were little more than ox wagon tracks, often impassable after rain.
One of the most significant early attempts to formalise movement through the area was the construction of passes and rudimentary roads in the early 19th century. Under the direction of Thomas Bain and his father Andrew Geddes Bain, several mountain passes were carved into the landscape. These routes connected isolated settlements and allowed for more reliable trade. The work was labour intensive and often relied on convict labour. It also marked the beginning of the region’s transformation from isolated pockets into a connected corridor.
The town of Knysna emerged as a key hub during this period. Its lagoon provided a natural harbour, while the surrounding forests supported a booming timber industry. Timber from Knysna was used in shipbuilding and construction across the Cape Colony. Ox wagons transported logs along rough tracks, reinforcing the need for better infrastructure. The Knysna Heads, now a well known viewpoint, were once a challenging gateway for ships navigating into the lagoon.
Knysna Heads/Matthias Wesselmann/Unsplash
Further east, Plettenberg Bay developed around its role as a seasonal port. It served as a landing point for goods and supplies, particularly during the timber trade era. However, the lack of permanent harbour infrastructure meant that its importance fluctuated over time.
The indigenous forests that once hindered travel became central to the region’s identity. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, conservation efforts began to take shape as concerns grew over deforestation. Controlled forestry practices were introduced, and parts of the forest were protected. This shift marked an early recognition of the area’s ecological value, long before eco tourism became a global trend.
The concept of the Garden Route as a defined travel region only emerged much later. The term itself gained popularity in the mid 20th century, as improved road infrastructure made the coastline more accessible. The development of the N2 highway was a turning point. It linked towns more efficiently and opened the region to tourism. What had once been a fragmented and often inaccessible landscape became a continuous route.
With improved access came a new identity. Coastal towns evolved into holiday destinations. Nature reserves were formalised, including the establishment of the Garden Route National Park, which consolidated several protected areas. Activities such as hiking, whale watching and forest exploration began to define the visitor experience.
Storms River Bridge/Matthias Wesselmann/Unsplash
Yet traces of the older landscape remain. Many of the passes built in the 19th century are still in use or preserved as heritage routes. Forest sections continue to protect ancient trees and biodiversity. Small towns retain architectural and cultural elements tied to their earlier roles in trade and industry.
Understanding the history of the Garden Route adds depth to the journey. It shifts the experience from a simple drive to a layered exploration of movement, adaptation and transformation. The modern road trip may be defined by convenience, but the story beneath it is one of resilience and gradual connection.
Today, travellers move easily between viewpoints, beaches and forests. The route feels seamless. But it was not always this way. The Garden Route is not just a scenic drive. It is the result of centuries of interaction between people, landscape and necessity.
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