Gold mining town & casino
But the gold is just one aspect of Gold Reef City. Go early because there’s a lot to do: a turn-of-the-century gold mining town has been re-created on the site, with its charming wood and iron buildings now housing shops and restaurants.
Victorian Jo'burg recaptured in the Gold Reef City Hotel. Picture: Lucille Davie
There’s the SA Mint where you can buy gold and silver jewellery, watches, medallions and coins, and watch a press making Kruger Rands. There’s Gemstone World, the Glass and Crafte Shoppe, the Gumboot Bar Shop and Tobacconist, and there’s the town square. Here you can get off your feet and enjoy a five-piece band called Unity, playing throughout the day, while you eat your hamburger.
If you’re feeling smart, take in the Hands-On Science Centre, where you can test yourself on various machines and experiments. If
you’re feeling brave, go on one of 28 rides including the ferris wheel, the earthquake tunnel, miner’s revenge, the tower of terror and the river rapids.
For a different experience, hire a penny farthing bike and take a spin around the village.
Gumboot dancing, which the miners began early in the century and which became very competitive between different mines, can be enjoyed in three daily displays at points throughout the town.
If you’re feeling you need to get off your feet, take the train which runs around the perimeter of the town. Or hop on one of several horse-drawn carriages that canter around the place.
On the lower terrace of Gold Reef City is the Gold Reef City Hotel with 73 rooms in Victorian decor. The nearby 60-person chapel is popular for weddings, with its beams, alter, pews and organ, originating in the first Dutch Reformed Church in Johannesburg.
On this level you’ll also find the Odin Bioscope, showing old-time movies, and the Musical
Hall of Fame, exhibiting musical instruments and artefacts. Further down the street you’ll find Arms & Outdoors, Craftsmen with Disabilities, and Classic Profiles, a hardwood craftsmen store.
The younger kids are catered for at this level too: there’s a farmyard, stables and funfair.
The Casino
Finish off your visit to Gold Reef City land with a trip across the bridge to the Casino, where after losing (or winning) money on the machines or at the tables, you can get a meal at the Back of the Moon Restaurant, based on a Sophiatown shebeen. The restaurant showcases contemporary and traditional jazz players.
Or until 8 May, you can enjoy a great indigenous dance show called African Footprint at the Globe Theatre. The show blends contemporary jazz, tap, kwela-jive, traditional gumboot and hip-hop pantsula and will have you buzzing for the rest of the evening.
The Apartheid Museum
In the same
complex is the vivid Apartheid Museum - immerse yourself in South Africa’s 20th century history. But give yourself several hours to absorb the impressive displays in this world-class museum. It’s a harrowing history and not advised for children under 12.
Tours of Gold Reef City
You can take a private tour at a time that suits you, or general public tour at 9am or 1.30pm every day. Phone Gold Reef Guides on (011) 496 1400.
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