By Aisha Zardad
Our Experience
Gold Reef City is often marketed purely as entertainment, but beneath the rides and nostalgia lies an important chapter of Johannesburg’s story. Built around an old gold mine, the park blends history with recreation, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s origins. While some attractions feel dated, the underground mine tours and heritage elements add depth that many visitors overlook. It’s not perfect — but it’s layered, educational and unexpectedly reflective.
What to Expect
Theme rides, mine tours, heritage buildings and family-focused attractions.
Reality Check
Some areas show age, but history remains the highlight.
Value
Reasonable pricing for a full-day experience.
Pros
✔ Historical insight
✔ Family-friendly
✔ Unique urban attraction
Cons
✘ Certain attractions feel dated
Final Rating
⭐ 8.7 / 10
Nostalgic, educational and more meaningful than it appears.
I had a nasty experience with the supervisor and ride controller at the car bumper ride on the 26/12/25. It was reported to management and nothing was done about it. I have been comming to Gold Reef Theme Park for the past 5 years, every year in during December holidays. Promise never to go there ever again. Horrible experience, my child was injured by the controller of the ride personally.
It was my first time in ages at Goldreef city. Loved it a lot. Had the best day out going on the rides. The que was long but the wait was worth it. Made friends and chatted to strangers of all walks of life. Thank you Goldreef city for making my day awsum. pitty not all the rides were working.
Goldreef city is overpriced and overrated
Serious maintenance required on infrastructure
Main road to g reef street lights hardly work at the sasol garage area with big pot holes and there Capitec atm is always off line at g reef
Fully agree here Sir Totally overpriced ,ridiculously priced IMO
I had a good time with my family @ gold reef city.🥰😍😇 You need to arrive early at gold reef in order to have fun the whole day 😀 You can have breakfast there and Lunch 🍔🍕🍟🥤🍭🌭
I wont Recommend Gold reef City to Anyone,I have been comming to Gold reef City since i was a Child.
I took my Daughter to Gold reef for her Birthday and had a Concern with the Birth Certificate,the Manager wich is a woman had such a Bad Attitude towards us and by no means tried to accomidate us in no way.
The Security Guards Checking the Baggage did such a half Job at the Gate,anyone can take a firearm or Knife inside.
Half of the Rides was not working,and most of the staff working at the rides has a stinky attitude
Thinking they own the place.
The Drinks at some shops are supper expensive,a 300ml Soda going for almost R30 wich is just a rip off to Customers.
I send Gold reef City an email with all the complaints and have not had any feedback regards to this incidents.
We as customers pay alot of money to get Value for it,but Gold reef City does not meet this standards.
If you want to waste your money,then go to Gold reef and experience it for Yourself.
Hi will like to visit at Gold Reed theme park Rides
Hi I would love to take my family to Goldreef sometime!
Be careful at the Anaconda between seats 3 4 5 and 6 but on your left one of them is not tight properly I almost died with my friend, if you wanna ride it go to back or front or atleast go on the right side of the ride
Well put ,this place will die soon just like the rest of the old South , disgusting attitudes, exorbitant prices ,there is no value for money here ,Tourists are duped into visiting this place
We went to Gold Reef city just after Christmas, this was our first time there, we had such an amazing time, staff were friendly, and just a incredible memories made with my kids.
It was my first time in ages at Goldreef city. Loved it a lot. Had the best day out going on the rides. The que was long but the wait was worth it. Made friends and chatted to strangers of all walks of life. Thank you Goldreef city for making my day awsum. pitty not all the rides were working.
Thank you Gold Reef City for a wonderful experience. We had to wait for quite a while for a chance to go on rides but that is only normal, considering the amount of people also there for the rides as well. We had an awesome time.
These people need to go to Orlando, USA and see how a theme park is run. It sounds like neglect like our roads, hospitals but these are privately own. Give it time it will close down like our shopping malls. Difficult to do business now with expensive electricity, no lights, water, BEE and red tape
Spot on Sir
For me Gold Reef City is amazing.
So entertaining & full of banter.
Lovely outing.
Enjoyable & relaxing.
We have nasty experience at gold reef city they don’t care any more I pay for 7 people to go to gold reef city and we arrive at 11.30am by 12:15 the rain start raining they say we must wait we wait until 14h00 and go back to them to reschedule for other date they said we must write an email to reschedule we did that even today no answer from them
Very expensive 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔