Durban Attractions

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Durban City Hall © SATOUR

Francis Farewell Square

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.

uShaka Marine World, Durban

uShaka Marine World

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.

Address: 1 Bell Street; Telephone: 031 328 8000; E-mail: mkt@ushakamarineworld.co.za; Website: www.ushakamarineworld.co.za; Transport: Marine World is on the main Point Road bus route and is serviced by Greenline and Mynah buses; Opening time: Sea World: Daily 9am to 6pm, Island activities closed Mondays. Wet 'n Wild: Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm. Open daily on public holidays and during government school holidays; Admission: Combined tickets: R135 (adult), R90 (children). Sea World: R92 (adults), R62 (children); Wet 'n Wild: R70 (adults), R55 (children); other concessions available

KwaMuhle Museum

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.

Address: 130 Ordinance Road; Telephone: 031 311 2237; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm; Sundays and public holidays 11am to 4pm

Juma Masjid Mosque

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.

Address: Grey Street; Telephone: 031 304 1518; Opening time: Weekdays 9am to 4pm and Saturday mornings. Tours are recommended

Durban Botanic Gardens

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.

Address: 70 St Thomas Road; Telephone: 031 2011 303 or 031 309 1170 (tour bookings); Website: www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za; Opening time: Daily 7.30am to 5.45pm. 5.15pm in winter

The BAT Centre

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.

Address: SAS Inkonkoni Building, 45 Maritime Place, Small Craft Harbour, Victoria Embankment; Telephone: 031 332 0451; E-mail: info@batcentre.co.za; Website: www.batcentre.co.za; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm