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Durban Maps & Attractions Guide
Durban maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Durban
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Durban
Attractions - Things to do
1. Francis Farewell Square
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What is it? This historic square in the middle of Durban
is the spot where the city originated as a tiny settlement of
itinerant traders and hunters in the early 19th century. It is
named for Henry Francis Flynn, one of the prominent inhabitants of
the time. Around the square are some interesting sights,
particularly the 1910 City Hall on the south side, which is an
exact replica of the City Hall of Belfast, Ireland. On the first
floor of the City Hall is the Natural Science Museum with an
interesting insect section; on the first floor is the renowned
Durban Art Gallery. Various musical, song and dance performances
are held on the City Hall steps every Wednesday at 1pm. Alongside
the City Hall is Durban's local history museum housed in the Old
Court House, which was the first public building ever erected in
Durban, in 1866.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. uShaka Marine World
1 Bell Street
www.ushakamarineworld.co.za |
What is it? In January 2004 Sea World closed its doors to
the public and reopened as uShaka Marine World, which has become
the largest marine theme park in Africa. The park is tastefully
themed with African imagery and has five zones offering
entertainment, dining, a retail village, water slides and access to
uShaka Beach. The Sea World zone incorporates an aquarium,
dolphinarium, a seal pool and penguin rookery, as well as
interactive activities in the dive tank, snorkel reef and touch
pool, while Wet 'n Wild offers heart-stopping, adrenalin-pumping
rides as well as water-based activities for the less
adventurous.
Hours of Operation: Sea World: Daily 9am to 6pm, closing at 5pm in winter
(Island activities closed Mondays). Wet 'n Wild: Wednesday to
Sunday 9am to 6pm, until 5pm in winter; open daily on public
holidays and during government school holidays
Phone:031 328 8000 |
3. KwaMuhle Museum
130 Ordinance Road
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What is it? The notorious building that was once the
'Department of Native Affairs' where every black South African in
Natal was required to register in the days of Apartheid, now houses
a museum dedicated to tracing the history of racial laws in Durban,
including memorable video and photographic exhibits. Despite this
the building is known to all as KwaMuhle, meaning 'place of the
good one', the name honouring a white man who ran the department
but did his best to fight the system within its
constraints.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm; Sundays and public
holidays 11am to 4pm
Phone:031 311 2237 |
4. Juma Masjid Mosque
Grey Street
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What is it? The magnificent Juma Masjid Mosque, the
largest mosque in the Southern hemisphere, dominates Durban's
central Indian district. It's gilt-domed minarets tower over the
bustling commercial area, but inside the marbled worship hall is
peaceful and boasts a simple elegance. Tours of the mosque can be
arranged. Around the mosque, on Grey Street, are several Indian
food outlets, most offering the uniquely Durban 'bunnychow' (half a
loaf of bread scooped out and filled with curry). Off of Grey
Street is the Madressa Arcade bazaar. Also in the area is the
brightly painted Victoria Street Market (on the corner of Queen and
Russell streets) offering incense, henna tattoos, spices and other
exotic goods.
Hours of Operation: Weekdays 9am to 4pm and Saturday mornings. Tours are
recommended
Phone:031 306 0026 |
5. Botanical Gardens
70 St Thomas Road
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What is it? Durban's botanical gardens are renowned for
having the finest collection of plantlife anywhere in Africa.
Established in 1851 the gardens, on Sydenham Hill Road west of the
Greyville Race Track, are the city's oldest natural attraction,
providing a relaxing spot to stroll among huge indigenous and
exotic trees, and the stunning orchid house display. The gardens
are also abuzz with birdlife and boast a lovely tea
garden.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7.30am to 5.45pm (16 September to 15 April),
7.30am to 5.15pm (16 April to 15 September)
Phone:031 2011 303 or 031 309 1170 (tour bookings) |
6. The BAT Centre
SAS Inkonkoni Building, 45 Maritime Place, Small Craft
Harbour, Victoria Embankment
www.batcentre.co.za |
What is it? On the Victoria Embankment beside the Durban
harbour is a haven for traditional artists known as the BAT Centre
(an acronym for Bartle Arts Trust). The centre features an enormous
studio where artists work, a theatre, exhibition galleries and a
restaurant serving authentic African dishes. There are stunning
views of the harbour from the restaurant deck. Nearby is the
Maritime Museum, which details the history of the harbour and
houses a restored tugboat and other interesting
exhibits.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; Saturday 10am to
2pm
Phone:031 332 0451 |
7. Zululand Battlefields
www.battlefields.kzn.org.za |
What is it? Zululand, ancestral home of the Zulu people
and site of many a bloody battle between the British, the Boers and
the Zulus during the 19th century, is best explored as a self-drive
adventure, although many tours are available from Durban. Every
town in this area of northern Kwa-Zulu Natal has a story to tell or
an event to commemorate and tourism offices throughout the region
provide maps and guides to assist visitors in making the most of
the history, culture, scenery and wildlife. The landscape varies
from plains, to rolling hills, river valleys and lush forests. This
land once encompassed the Zulu kingdom led by legendary Shaka Zulu,
who clashed with the British and the Boers in many epic battles.
Centre of the Zulu nation is the small town of Eshowe. King Shaka
was born close to the town, and it was also the site of a 10-week
siege during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Other towns of note are
Ladysmith and Dundee, near which were fought the historic battles
of Rorke's Drift, Blood River and Isandlwana. There are numerous
'living museums' in the form of Zulu cultural villages open to
visitors in the area.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:031 366 7500 (Tourism KwaZulu-Natal) |
8. Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
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What is it? In the far north of Kwa-Zulu Natal are a
string of nature reserves and game parks, of which the largest and
most exciting is the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, dominated by
the fascinating St Lucia estuary and lake system. It covers five
distinct ecosystems varying from dry thorn scrub to tropical forest
and is bordered by giant dunes, beaches and tropical reefs. Big
Five game viewing is on offer, and this is the only place in the
world where you will see hippos, crocodiles and sharks co-habiting
in the same lagoon. There are comfortable rest camps in the park.
The Wetland Park has been delcared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours daily, office hours are daily 8am to
4.30pm
Phone:033 845 1002 (KZN Wildlife) |
9. Midmar Dam
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What is it? North-west of Durban in the Midlands of
Kwa-Zulu Natal is the Midmar Public Resort Nature Reserve, offering
accommodation, picnic sites and recreational opportunities around
the huge Midmar Dam. At the main entrance is the Midmar Historical
Village, a reproduction of a 19th century redbrick village with
tree-lined streets, a village church and Hindu Temple. Many of the
buildings are originals that have been relocated to the site from
towns and villages elsewhere in the province. There are also
vintage steam train rides on offer and Shire horse carriage rides,
as well as several shops, restaurants and exhibition halls. Midmar
is also the centre of the Midlands Meander arts and crafts route,
which winds through the Midlands along the R103 road, taking in
more than 65 participating attractions dotted across the
countryside, ranging from herb farms to antique shops and artists
working with stained glass. The huge dam stages the annual Midmar
Mile, the world's largest open water swim.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
10. Drakensberg Mountains
www.drakensberg.kzn.org.za |
What is it? The jagged peaks of the Drakensberg (Dragon
Mountains) tower over the eastern border of Kwa-Zulu Natal with
Lesotho, providing a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The
mountains abound with hiking trails, climbing routes, 4x4 trails,
pony treks and adventure pursuits, all accessible from numerous
resorts in the lower reaches. Some of the more popular resorts are
Champagne Castle, Cathkin Peak and Cathedral Peak, while Giant's
Castle and its game reserve are famed for the more than 500 rock
paintings left behind by the San people on cave walls. Eagles soar
around the peaks in the Royal Natal National Park in the north,
where the dramatic scenery includes the Amphitheatre, a five-mile
long (8km) curved basalt wall. The region is largely untamed, and
criss-crossed by lengths of rugged dirt roads. The only road that
breaches the mountain range and crosses the border to Lesotho is
the hair-raising Sani Pass, which is topped by the highest pub in
Africa.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:031 366 7500 (Tourism KwaZulu-Natal) |
Durban Holidays guide
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Transport -As in most South African cities, Durban
has a limited public transport system.
More information at the |
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