Garden Route District Municipality covers the southeastern Western Cape coast and its Little Karoo hinterland. Named Eden District Municipality until a rename approved in December 2017 and effective in 2018, it counted 838,460 people (2022 census) across seven local municipalities, over about 23,331 km². The seat is George.
Local Municipalities in Garden Route
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 Population |
|---|---|---|
| George | George | 294,929 |
| Mossel Bay | Mossel Bay | 140,075 |
| Oudtshoorn | Oudtshoorn | 138,257 |
| Knysna | Knysna | 96,055 |
| Bitou | Plettenberg Bay | 65,240 |
| Hessequa | Riversdale | 71,918 |
| Kannaland | Ladismith | 31,986 |
George, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Bitou have their own posts pending on this site; their figures above come from the district’s own registry data.
Major Towns
George is the district’s largest town, followed by Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, with Riversdale and Ladismith serving the Little Karoo interior.
- George
- Mossel Bay
- Oudtshoorn
- Knysna
- Plettenberg Bay
- Riversdale
- Groot-Brakrivier
- Dysselsdorp
- Sedgefield
- Heidelberg
- Ladismith
- Stilbaai
- Albertina
- Calitzdorp
- Zoar
Geography
The district runs along the Garden Route coastline from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay, then inland across the Outeniqua and Swartberg passes into the Little Karoo around Oudtshoorn, Ladismith and Riversdale. It borders the Cape Winelands and Central Karoo districts to the west and north, and the Eastern Cape to the east.
Economy and Local Life
Tourism along the Garden Route coast, forestry and timber around Knysna, ostrich farming around Oudtshoorn, and wine and fruit farming in Hessequa and Kannaland together make up the district’s economic base. George also functions as the district’s main administrative and airport hub, serving the whole coastal region.
History
George was founded in 1811 as a forestry administration town serving the Outeniqua timber trade, growing into the district’s principal centre. Knysna developed around its lagoon and timber harbour, while Oudtshoorn’s ostrich-feather boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries built much of the town’s grand Victorian architecture. The district itself was created under South Africa’s 2000 local-government reorganisation as Eden District Municipality, renamed Garden Route in 2018 to match the region’s tourism identity.
FAQ
What is the seat of Garden Route District Municipality?
George.
Was Garden Route District Municipality previously called something else?
Yes — it was Eden District Municipality until a name change approved in December 2017, effective in 2018.
How many people live in Garden Route District?
838,460 people, per the 2022 census, across its seven local municipalities.
Which local municipalities make up Garden Route District?
George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Bitou, Hessequa and Kannaland.
How big is Garden Route District Municipality?
About 23,331 km².
What is Oudtshoorn known for?
Ostrich farming, dating back to a feather-export boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
What is the district’s main economic activity?
Tourism along the Garden Route coast, alongside forestry, ostrich farming and agriculture inland.
When was George founded?
In 1811, as a forestry administration town serving the Outeniqua timber trade.
What is Knysna known for?
Its lagoon, timber harbour and Garden Route tourism.
Which municipality has the district’s largest population?
George, home to nearly 295,000 people per the 2022 census.
Is George Airport the district’s main airport?
Yes — it serves as the primary air gateway for the whole Garden Route region.
What share of the district’s population is Coloured?
49.7%, the largest single group, followed by Black African (27.8%) and White (19.6%).
What language is most widely spoken in the district?
Afrikaans, the first language of 70.8% of residents per the 2011 language breakdown.
What is Plettenberg Bay’s role in the district?
It is the seat of Bitou Local Municipality, one of the Garden Route’s best-known coastal resort towns.
Does the district include any Little Karoo towns?
Yes — Ladismith (Kannaland) and Riversdale (Hessequa) both serve the district’s Little Karoo hinterland.