Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City is Johannesburg's big theme park, built on the site of an old gold mine that closed in 1971 and themed around the Witwatersrand gold rush that began in 1886. It opened in 1987 and is owned by Tsogo Sun, which also runs the casino and hotels in the same complex south of the city centre. Period-style buildings, gold rush street fronts and mine headgear give the park its look.

The park has 14 thrill rides, nine family rides and 20 rides for young children, as well as the Jump City trampoline park and other attractions. Roller coasters are the main draw for teenagers and adults. Anaconda is an inverted coaster, Golden Loop is a classic shuttle loop, and Tower of Terror drops riders vertically into an old mine shaft and is known for very high g-forces. Some rides have height restrictions, and test seats at the queue entrances for Miners Revenge, Anaconda and Tower of Terror show whether you can ride safely.

The underground mine tour takes you down into the old workings, and the park calls it the only authentic underground mine tour in Johannesburg. It can be booked on its own or with general admission, and the last tour starts at 16:00. Children under four are not allowed, and children aged four to six must be with an adult and cannot be carried. Because the emergency route involves climbing more than 150 steps at a steep incline, the tour is not recommended for anyone pregnant, with heart or blood pressure conditions, asthma or claustrophobia.

Tickets must be bought online in advance; they are not sold at the gate. The park normally opens from Thursday to Sunday, from 09:30 on Thursday and Friday and 09:00 at weekends, until 17:00, with gates closing to new entries at 16:00. Hours change in school holidays and on public holidays, so check before you go. Expect queues for the big coasters at weekends and in holidays.

Gold Reef City is just off the M1 and Northern Parkway, and most visitors arrive by car or ride-hailing app. The Apartheid Museum is next door, but the two make very different experiences, so many visitors keep them for separate days.