If you’re looking for something fun to do in Johannesburg that doesn’t involve another shopping centre, put Gold Reef City on the list.<\/p>\n
Actually, give it most of the day.<\/p>\n
Gold Reef City is one of those Johannesburg attractions that manages to be several things at once.<\/p>\n
It’s a theme park.<\/p>\n
It’s part history lesson.<\/p>\n
It’s built around an old gold mine.<\/p>\n
And it’s somewhere you can spend the morning screaming on roller coasters and the afternoon learning why Johannesburg is called the City of Gold.<\/p>\n
That’s quite a combination.<\/p>\n
Whether you’re visiting Johannesburg with children, travelling with friends or simply looking for an excuse to behave like a teenager again, here are some of the best things to do at Gold Reef City.<\/p>\n
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first.<\/p>\n
If you love roller coasters, you’re going to want to ride the Anaconda.<\/p>\n
This is one of Gold Reef City’s signature thrill rides and definitely isn’t where I’d start if the kiddies’ carousel normally makes you nervous.<\/p>\n
Your feet are suspended below you while the coaster twists, turns and sends you upside down.<\/p>\n
Repeatedly.<\/p>\n
The official fear factor?<\/p>\n
9 out of 10.<\/strong><\/p>\n My advice is to ride it early before you’ve had a massive lunch.<\/p>\n For obvious reasons.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Thrill seekers Then there’s the Tower of Terror.<\/p>\n The name isn’t exactly trying to hide what you’re getting yourself into.<\/p>\n This is one of the rides Gold Reef City is famous for and sends riders plunging down towards an old mine shaft.<\/p>\n If you’re the person in your family who always says:<\/p>\n “I’ll hold the bags.”<\/em><\/p>\n This may be your moment to continue holding the bags.<\/p>\n But if you love adrenaline, put it near the top of your ride list.<\/p>\n And get it done before lunch.<\/p>\n I’m going to keep repeating that advice for a reason.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Serious adrenaline junkies The Golden Loop is another Gold Reef City classic.<\/p>\n It launches riders from 0 to around 85km\/h in just a few seconds before sending them almost 40 metres into the air.<\/p>\n And yes.<\/p>\n There’s a loop.<\/p>\n The clue was in the name.<\/p>\n This is another ride I’d tackle early in the day, particularly if the park is busy.<\/p>\n The queues for the big rides can build up later.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Roller-coaster fans If you want a roller coaster that’s still exciting but slightly less terrifying, try the Jozi Express.<\/p>\n The ride travels above parts of the park and gives you glimpses towards the Johannesburg skyline.<\/p>\n Of course, whether you actually appreciate the view or spend the entire ride shouting is entirely up to you.<\/p>\n I’d put Jozi Express on the list for families with older children and anyone working their way towards the more intimidating rides.<\/p>\n Think of it as preparation.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Families with older children and roller-coaster fans This is the part that makes Gold Reef City different from an ordinary amusement park.<\/p>\n Johannesburg exists largely because of gold.<\/p>\n Gold Reef City was developed around an actual historic gold mine, and the mining attractions give you a glimpse into the story behind the city.<\/p>\n Rather than spending the entire day running from roller coaster to roller coaster, make time for the historical side of the park too.<\/p>\n The mining experience helps explain how the discovery of gold transformed this part of the country and contributed to the growth of Johannesburg.<\/p>\n Suddenly the name City of Gold<\/strong> makes a lot more sense.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Families, history lovers and international visitors You’ve probably seen gold jewellery.<\/p>\n Seeing the process behind gold is something completely different.<\/p>\n Gold Reef City’s heritage attractions have traditionally included demonstrations connected to the gold-mining story, including gold pouring.<\/p>\n This is one of those experiences I’d particularly recommend to international visitors.<\/p>\n You can ride roller coasters in plenty of countries.<\/p>\n You can’t visit an old Johannesburg gold mine everywhere.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Visitors and curious kids The history is part of what makes Gold Reef City worth visiting.<\/p>\n Once you’ve learned about Johannesburg’s gold rush, there’s really only one logical next step.<\/p>\n Try finding some yourself.<\/p>\n Gold panning gives visitors a small taste of the excitement that brought prospectors to the Witwatersrand more than a century ago.<\/p>\n Will you become rich?<\/p>\n Probably not.<\/p>\n But it’s still fun.<\/p>\n And if you find one tiny shiny speck, you’ll suddenly understand why people became obsessed with the stuff.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Families and children Johannesburg summers can get hot.<\/p>\n Very hot.<\/p>\n Which is exactly when Raging River Rapids starts looking like an excellent idea.<\/p>\n You’ll travel through the rapids, past caves and waterfalls and almost certainly spend the entire ride wondering who’s going to get soaked.<\/p>\n There’s always one person.<\/p>\n If you’re travelling with friends, this becomes significantly funnier.<\/p>\n Unless you’re that person.<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Families and groups Wear something that dries quickly.<\/p>\n Your jeans will not thank you.<\/p>\n Best Things to Do at Gold Reef City Johannesburg If you’re looking for something fun to do in Johannesburg that doesn’t involve another shopping centre, put Gold Reef City on the list. Actually, give it most of the day. Gold Reef City is one of those Johannesburg attractions that manages to be several things at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-swoosh0018"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nHeight restriction:<\/strong> 1.3 metres and above
\nFear factor:<\/strong> 9\/10<\/p>\n2. Take on the Tower of Terror<\/h2>\n
\nDon’t miss it if:<\/strong> Roller coasters are the main reason you’re visiting<\/p>\n3. Ride the Golden Loop<\/h2>\n
\nFear factor:<\/strong> 8\/10
\nHeight restriction:<\/strong> 1.3 metres and above<\/p>\n4. Ride the Jozi Express<\/h2>\n
\nFear factor:<\/strong> 7\/10
\nHeight restriction:<\/strong> 1.3 metres and above<\/p>\n5. Go Underground and Discover Johannesburg’s Gold-Mining History<\/h2>\n
\nWhy do it:<\/strong> It turns a theme-park visit into something uniquely Johannesburg<\/p>\n6. Watch a Gold-Pouring Demonstration<\/h2>\n
\nDon’t skip it because:<\/strong> You came for the rides<\/p>\n7. Try Gold Panning<\/h2>\n
\nWhy try it:<\/strong> It’s one of the attractions that connects directly with Johannesburg’s history<\/p>\n8. Get Wet on Raging River Rapids<\/h2>\n
\nFear factor:<\/strong> 6\/10
\nImportant:<\/strong> You may get wet<\/p>\n9. See Johannesburg from the Giant W<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"