Gold Reef City

Lonely Planet review

Gold Reef City has one foot in the past, providing 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 go 220m down a shaft to see a gold mine from the inside (an extra around R50 ), watch a gold pour and see an entertaining programme 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/souvenir shop. There are often special programmes 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. The attached Gold Reef City Casino Hotel also has rooms.