Johannesburg Activities

Gold Reef City

#7 of 202 things to do in Johannesburg

#6 of 389 activities in South Africa

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: a bit of fun

Not good for: taking yourself too seriously

  • Address
    • Gold Reef Rd
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 011-248 6800
  • Price
    • admission R120, child under 120cm R70
  • Hours
    • 9.30am-5pm Tue-Sun

Correct these details

Lonely Planet review for Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City has one foot in the past, but this time provides a light-hearted and reasonably rip-roaring take on gold-rush Jo’burg. Ninety per cent Disneyland clone, this theme park only offers a token nod to historical authenticity, but provides ample means for filling a spare afternoon, especially if you have kids in tow. It features scary rides, a Victorian fun fair and various reconstructions, including a bank, brewery, pub and newspaper office. Visitors can watch a gold pour, and see an entertaining program of ‘gumboot’ dancing, a traditional miners’ choreographed dance. There are numerous places to eat and drink, plus the Gold Reef City Arts & Crafts Centre and an expensive craft and souvenir shop. There are often special programs on the weekend, sometimes with live music performed in an open-sided amphitheatre, and fireworks. Check the entertainment section in the Star. If you want to stay over, there’s the rock-solid Protea Hotel Gold Reef City and a casino, whose attached Gold Reef City Casino Hotel also has rooms

 

Traveller reviews for Gold Reef City (1)

  • Avatar
    To write a review sign in, register or   Connect_light_large_long
    Recommend
     
    Add your experience “ ”
    Say more…
  • Avatar

    good for a mindless but entertaining day out

    carobbine recommends this,

    This is an amusement park, so don't expect anything too historical or sophisticated... but that's not why you go to something like this, right? You go for the crazy rides. A few of the roller coasters and the runaway mine cart freefall were pretty nail biting, and we got soaked on the water rafting ride. It was a fun and silly afternoon that reminded me of family vacations to Disneyland, replete with mediocre food and overpriced souvenirs. The highlight was the ginormous ferris wheel that takes you up high above the city, so that you can see all of Jo'berg in the distance. Grab your camera! That was also a valuable respite from the commercial madness below - it's actually quite serene being so high up, looking out over the landscape.

    Good for: a bit of fun

    Not good for: taking yourself too seriously

    report