Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train tracks going over the Knysna Lagoon.
Image: David Ritchie / Independent Newspapers
We have always known that the stretch of road between Mossel Bay and Storms River is something truly special.
Whether it is the way the light hits the Knysna lagoon or that specific scent of damp earth and salt air in the Tsitsikamma forest, the Garden Route is part of our DNA.
Now, the rest of the world has finally caught up.
In a recent global study by Autotrader, our very own backyard was ranked the number one road trip on the planet, beating out legendary icons like Route 66 and the Amalfi Coast with a massive score of 90.6 out of 100.
Tsitsikamma forest.
Image: Armand Hough
This was not just a popularity contest based on pretty pictures. The study looked at the nitty-gritty details that make a drive actually enjoyable.
They tracked road quality, visibility, average temperatures, and even wind speeds. It turns out that the Garden Route offers the most consistent and breathtaking driving experience you can find anywhere.
For those of us living here, it is a timely reminder to pack a bag, top up the tank, and rediscover the magic that sits right on our doorstep.
The heart of this award-winning journey is the Garden Route National Park.
It is not just a single park but a collection of some of the most diverse landscapes in the country. If you start in the Wilderness section, you are met with those famous calm waterways and dense forests.
It is the kind of place where you can trade the car for a canoe for a few hours, paddling through quiet rivers while looking out for the flash of a Knysna Turaco.
The forest cabins there are perfect if you want to fall asleep to the sound of nothing but the wind in the trees.
Further along the N2, you hit Knysna, which feels like the soulful middle ground of the trip.
Most people stop for the oysters or the views at the Heads, but the real magic is often hidden.
Down in the estuary, the endangered Knysna seahorse holds on in the quiet waters near.
Storms River Mouth with its interesting supension bridge.
Image: Johannes van Niekerk
Thesen Island, while up in the Diepwalle forest, you can walk among giant Yellowwood trees that have stood for centuries.
The viewpoints here give you a perspective of the coastline that makes you realise exactly why the international judges were so impressed.
The grand finale for many is the Tsitsikamma section. This is where the landscape gets rugged, and the Indian Ocean really shows its teeth against the rocky shore.
Walking across the famous suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth is a rite of passage for any South African traveller.
The Giant Kingfisher Trail is one of five hiking trails in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park and the only one that leads to a waterfall.
Image: David Ritchie / Independent Newspapers
Between the forest trails, the dramatic coastal campsites, and the sheer energy of the ocean, it is a place that feels wild and ancient.
With the route now officially holding the title of the world's best, there is a renewed sense of pride in this coastal treasure.
It is a world-class experience that does not require a passport or a long-haul flight.
Whether you are after a weekend of mountain biking and adventure or just a slow cruise with plenty of stops for padstal snacks and scenic photos, the Garden Route is waiting to remind you why we live in one of the most beautiful corners of the earth.