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The Durban Golden Mile glow-up just got another boost – the Durban Amusement Park is going ahead!
The proposed R980-million park got approval for project development funding from a development finance institution.
This marks another significant milestone for the city, as the family entertainment attraction heads to the former Durban Funworld site.
eThekwini Municipality announced that the development has completed its design stage, with technical planning now underway. Statutory development work is expected to continue until the end of the first quarter of 2027, after which construction will start.
With Funworld having closed in 2023 after almost 50 years, the new park is intended to bring a permanent, ride-led attraction back to the beachfront, giving visitors another reason to make a day of the Golden Mile.
READ: A R1-billion amusement park is coming to Durban’s Golden Mile
What’s planned for the Durban Amusement Park?
Last December we reported that the park was coming to Durban. The latest announcement confirms everything is on track!
The project has been selected by the National Department of Tourism as one of its key tourism infrastructure developments. The city also showcased the project at the recent South African Tourism Investment Summit.
Here’s what’s on the cards:
- World-class rides: A collection of major attractions designed to bring the thrill of a traditional amusement park back to the beachfront.
- Extended reality and digital entertainment: An immersive digital zone, with the original plans outlining a 1,500m² virtual reality park featuring more than 160 interactive games and esports experiences.
- A lightning roller coaster and vertical swing: No new details, but expect some extreme fun!
- Disco 24: No further details as yet, but it sounds groovy!
- Food and retail: A curated retail offering and themed food courts are planned to give visitors more options during their visit.
- An upgraded amphitheatre: An events-focused space will add another dimension to the park’s entertainment offering.
- Ocean-view areas: The original plans include viewing decks overlooking the coastline, alongside neon-lit pedestrian walkways.
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The Golden Mile is getting a major makeover
The amusement park is a centrepiece of a much larger investment drive along Durban’s beachfront, with the municipality attracting private investment to expand the area’s tourism and leisure offering.
The most recent development news came earlier this month, when the city announced more than R70 million had been secured for the redevelopment of 137 Lower Marine Parade (formerly Joe Kool’s) - increasing its commercial footprint from 1,700m² to 4,000m².
Signed tenants include Steers, Fishaways, Debonairs Pizza, Wimpy, Milky Lane, Perere by Gushima, and Nonna’s Riviera, which is making its Durban debut. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, subject to the completion of statutory processes and leases, with an opening targeted for next year’s festive season.
READ: Durban’s Golden Mile to get R70m beachfront redevelopment
The city has also announced that Mojo’s has been awarded the lease to operate the municipal property at 17 Erskine Terrace, South Beach – previously home to Surf Riders Café.
Meanwhile, the iconic Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani hotel precinct is undergoing a separate R1-billion upgrade through a long-term partnership with the municipality. The refurbishment programme is expected to continue over the next three years.
READ: Durban’s Golden Mile gets a new addition to replace much-loved Surf Riders
There is still a way to go before the first visitors walk through the gates, but with the wider Golden Mile redevelopment gathering momentum, Durban’s beachfront revival is looking promising!
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