Things to Do in Gauteng

Giddy up with Cullinan Adventure Outrides. Horses are suitable for beginners to more experienced riders. Rides usually take an hour and a half for a maximum of 10 people. Book your outrides and stay at Cullinan Backpackers.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

One of the largest indoor venues in Pretoria, the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria is host to a number of big live music concerts and exhibitions. The Main Arena has hosted popular events such as the Metro FM Awards Show, Godly Revolution Music Concert, Baba Indaba Expo and advert productions for Coke and Nestlé. A range of facilities offer versatility and seating for 80 to 4 500 people. Large events are supported by the VIP areas, holding rooms, theatre, board rooms, media room, rehearsal studio and other facilities. Well situated between Centurion and Pretoria, access to Heartfelt is convenient and there is ample on-site parking. +27 (0) 12 651 2251.

One of the top ten zoos in the world, The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa offers animal lovers a staggering 9 500 animals to view. Situated on 85 hectares in the heart of ‘Jacaranda City’, it’s the largest zoo in the country and is home to mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians alike. The spacious grounds house some rare species of antelope, white rhino, elephant, hippos, lions, cheetah, gorillas and even bats!Over 600 000 people visit the zoo every year, and there’s so much to see. It’s worth enquiring about what tours are on offer. You can hire a golf cart or take the Zoo Choo-Choo Tractor Train if you’re not up for the six kilometres of walkways. For a birds-eye view, take the cableway and ride above the zoo and on both sides of the Apies River.The largest inland marine aquarium in the country, The Aquarium and Reptile Park, also form part of the zoo facility. Kids will love watching the endangered Komodo dragon, ragged-tooth sharks and other weird and highly poisonous beasties.Dotted around the zoo are a number of picnic spots where you can relax under giant shade trees. Braai facilities are available at the picnic area on the banks of the Apies River. You can also opt for a sit down meal at the restaurant.Visiting hours:Open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Tickets are sold from 8:30 to 16:30 daily and the zoo closes at 17:30.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Vereeniging is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Cresta is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

One of South Africa’s top stadiums with a seating capacity for 50 000 people, Loftus Versfeld Stadium is situated in South Africa’s capital Pretoria (Tshwane). It was one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup venues, hosting five first-round matches and one second-round match. Home turf of the Premier Soccer League dynamos Mamelodi Sundowns, the Blue Bulls Currie Cup rugby team and the Bulls Super 12 rugby squad, it was also one of the primary venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In addition to being one of South Africa’s premier sporting venues, Loftus Versfeld is also a thriving venue for big concerts. Tshwane, Pretoria, "Jacaranda City," ePitoli - this graceful city has enormous appeal, a fascinating history and is now a symbol of South Africa's true unity. It's an elegant, quiet city in complete contrast to its bustling neighbour, Johannesburg, which is just 50 kilomtres apart and less than an hour's drive away.

Woodlands Boulevard is an upmarket shopping, dining and lifestyle destination in the vibrant and trendy Pretoria East.Designed for convenience, Woodlands Boulevard offers the best in restaurants, lifestyle, fashion, furniture, jewellery, health and beauty as well as a 7 cinema complex, Movies@Woodlands.

Linked to South Africa's largest Pick n Pay Hypermarket, East Rand Mall is conveniently situated seven kilometres away from OR Tambo International Airport.Here visitors will find a large assortment retail options with over 180 stores representing all of South Africa's major chain stores and numerous minor specialised stores.East Rand Mall also offers a wide-ranging assortment of entertainment facilities ranging from a nine-theatre Cinema Complex, restaurants, coffee shops, and a tempting Food and Entertainment Mall.Undercover parking consists of 1 500 undercover bays with an additional 3 000 open parking bays. Disabled parking bays are conveniently situated at each entrance.

Hosting numerous electrifying performance and events, the Theatre of Marcellus is a superb multipurpose state of the art theatre. Situated at Emperors Palace adjacent to the casino floor, it is a popular venue for product launches and exclusive banquets. The theatre can accommodate over 900 people in cinema style seating and comfortably accommodates 500 for a banquet. The theatre harks to its namesake in Ancient Rome and features extensive international and local dance extravaganzas, musicals and plays. The impressive list of performers to have graced the stage includes Nataniël, Johnny Clegg, Steve Hofmeyr, Kurt Darren, Barry Hilton and Casper de Vries. Television productions for ‘Jerry Springer’s Saturday Night’, ‘Noot vir Noot’ and ‘Dis Hoe Dit Is’ have been filmed here and international shows ‘Tap Dogs’, ‘Bounce’ and ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ have featured on the bill.

Africa's Greatest Shopping AdventureEastgate Shopping Centre is situated in the suburb of Bedfordview, on a prime site on the major freeway between Johannesburg International Airport and Johannesburg City Centre. Easily accessible from the high way, this super regional shopping centre is home to over 280 stores catering for all tastes and lifestyles. This ultimate shopping destination offers an out of this world retail experience, attracting an abundance of local and international shoppers. In addition to numerous smaller speciality stores, Eastgate is anchored by South Africa’s leading major retailers, including Checkers Hyper, Game, Edgars, Stuttafords and Woolworths.A large Ster Kinekor Cinema complex and a host of restaurants situated in an open air piazza area, make Eastgate the ideal venue of choice for the entire family. Eastgate’s evolution as a trend setting destination continues with the introduction of its high fashion quarter and action wear zone. “Eastgate offers everything for everyone, from popular brands, amazing Friday night entertainment and loads of fun for the entire family”. Eastgate Shopping Centre... Africa’s Greatest Shopping Adventure.

Situated in the heart of Sandton, The Blues Room is an upmarket nightclub and restaurant delivering up live blues, jazz, fusion, comedy, and sometimes even rock 'n' roll.

Live on the wild side and ride like a real cowboy or cowgirl in the Hekpoort Valley near Magaliesburg. Nestle in the foothills of the Magaliesburg Mountains lies the Hekpoort Valley, home to Saddle Creek Ranch. Here the owners offer horseback riding with a difference – Western style. No riding experience is required and the trail horses are "well trained, obedient calm and friendly”. The horses are suitable for everyone, from total beginners to experienced riders. Visitors have the option of various routes into the bushveld and mountain foothills accompanied by trained trail guides. Western-style riding is becoming more popular and Saddle Creek Ranch is a safe place where you can learn to ride like a real cowboy and have loads of fun. Call Mike to book this experience +27 (0) 79 467 9906. www.horseridingsa.co.za

Situated in the heart of Pretoria is Duncan Yard, a distinctive boutique lifestyle centre and must-do lunch spot. Here visitors amble through quaint stores and eateries along cobbled stone walkways and castle turrets. The alfresco centre provides a unique shopping experience with over 15 restaurants and shops. Its picturesque location is reminiscent of a rustic Italian village and provides a refreshingly exotic experience. Renowned for the popular Papa’s Real Food restaurant and the Deli on Duncan’s delectable array of delicacies, Duncan Yard also features an enticing selection of stores offering boutique clothing, jewellery, indoor and outdoor décor, and carpet and florist services. Both the beauty and hair salon are idyllically situated for complete relaxation and pampering. Trading Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 Saturday 09:00 – 15:00 Sunday 10:00 – 14:00 Public Holidays 10:00 – 14:00 www.duncanyard.co.za +27 (0) 12 362 2224 / 4054

The City of Gold's beloved theatre complex, now rebranded as The Joburg Theatre, houses four auditoria open to the public.The Mandela has a maximum seating capacity of 1,069. The Fringe is able to seat 251 and The Peoples is operated independently by Gill Girard and Keith Smith as the country's leading theatre for young children, offering seating for 176. The space.com is a versatile 'black box' environment.

Shop till you drop, get a bite or catch a show. Be spoilt for choice at Fourways Mall, a large retail shopping centre with cinema complex, supermarket, restaurants offering a unique and exciting shopping experience to the community and tourists alike. Fourways is conveniently situated in the heart of one of Jozi's most prestigious suburbs with easy access to the N1 freeway connecting Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as excellent link ups to Johannesburg International Airport.

Jozi's best live music and entertainment venue, restaurant and bar is smack in the middle of Bryanston. Kick back to cool tunes and tuck into traditional Argentinean, Italian or homestyle fare. Besides their a la carte menu, they have a variety of set, buffet, and snack menu's. They are fairly flexible with regards to the content of the menu, giving you the freedom to create your own meal. There's so much happening at this vibey spot and the programme changes almost daily. Live performances are mostly from local musicians and stand up comedians. Tanz Café have over 12 years experience in booking all the top South African bands, DJs and stand up comics so you are assured of receiving top quality entertainment from South Africa’s best talent. The Buzz Shopping Centre, corner of Witkoppen and Nerine Roads, Fourways.

The Coca Cola Dome is one of South Africa's most versatile venues with features that are suitable for both large and small scale events. The ground level 12 500m² floor space can be adapted to present an amazing variety of exhibitions. It is also a popular live concerts venue with space for 18 000 people standing or 12 000 people seated. Up to 4 000 people can be seated for banquets. The 2 500m² mezzanine level boasts five hospitality suites ideal for conference breakaway rooms, media offices, cocktail functions, VIP dinners or board meetings.

Cycle back in time to an immaculately restored, yet living and growing community that is as much about the future as the past. Cullinan makes up part of the Dinokeng Region, which is famous for giving visitors the opportunity to see all that Africa has to offer in a day.Cullinan is 30 minutes drive from Tshwane (Pretoria) and less than an hour from Johannesburg. Clusters of original stone miner's cottages, a turn-of-the-century railway station and authentic buildings flank the jacaranda and oak tree lined avenue. The semidetached houses in Oak Avenue are built of local stone in 1904 to provide housing for the mine employees.The Edwardian setting of the Cullinan mining town has a proud involvement in heritage and conservation matters. The Second World War POW's left behind amazing art works and architectural reminders of their stay in Cullinan and the surrounding areas. The largest allied prisoner of war camp in Africa was established here and the graves of 264 Italian prisoners are still preserved.The famous South African architect, Sir Herbert Baker, also left his mark on the village, as he designed the beautiful St George's Anglican stone church in Oak Avenue. Cullinan Mine has always placed a high priority on nature conservation. Cullinan Mine also has its own game farm that conserves numerous plants, animals (including white rhinos), insects and birds.

Home to South African football, Soccer City is the stadium where the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony took place and where the final whistle was blown. South Africa’s national football stadium, Soccer City was built in 1987 and is headquarters to the South African Football Association. Host to the 1996 African Cup of Nations, Soccer City is South Africa’s prime football venue and it will be the most important venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – the kick-off site for the opening and the final match. The original seating capacity for 80 000 people was enlarged to accommodate 94 700 people. Along with this, the precinct now has a fully functional transport hub including a railway station. The rail system will serve future industrial, commercial and residential developments planned for the area after the football tournament. Besides the rail station, the transport hub has taxi, bus and rail drop off and pick up points. The total public transport capacity of the hub is projected to be 23 280 an hour. Why we love it? Soccer City is the main match venue for South Africa’s football squad, Bafana Bafana, as well as the simmering contests between local Soweto club rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.