Shopping Malls
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Westville Just a five-minute drive from Durban on the N3, The Pavilion Shopping Centre provides a premier shopping and entertainment experience. Something of a Durban fashionista hot spot, the mall merges fun, food and fashion under one roof and there’s plenty to keep you busy.Offering over 230 shops and more than 40 restaurants, the centre has one of the widest choices in KwaZulu-Natal. With 14 jewellery outlets, it’s the perfect place to pick out gifts and curios for loved ones.And there’s no end of entertainment to keep kids amused at the Amusement Area, skate park and 12 cinemas. Over 6 000 covered and open parking bays have direct access to the centre and are protected by state of the art security.So whether you're looking for a cool place to escape Durban’s hot summer or you have to watch the latest movie after a good Indian or Italian dinner, the Pavilion is an obvious choice in the greater Durban area.
Things to do near
Westville
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Hiking Trail
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Bulwer (8.3 km from Westville) The Marutswa Forest Project started in 2004 and aims to promote the conservation of Bulwer's unique biodiversity. The indigenous forest is managed by Ezemvelo Wildlife and offers three forest trails all varying in intensity. All the trails start at the visitors centre and end along the same route.
The contour trail is suitable for anyone and is the easiest trail as it is completely flat. Visitors will first pass through the rehabilitation section before entering the forest. The trail is approximately 1275 m with boardwalks and steps along the way. The walk ends on the grasslands with distant views over the rural landscape.
The tanglewood detour is slightly steeper as it branches off the contour path up a slope for about to 10 to 15 m before adjoining with the contour path again.
The terrace traverse is the steepest trail. It rises up through the grasslands before entering the forest at the base of the scree slopes. It then trails along the terrace before sloping down through giant boulders to join the tanglewood detour.
Popular Attractions
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Musgrave (8.9 km from Westville) Situated on the eastern slopes of the Berea ridge, Durban Botanic Gardens is renowned for the rarest original specimen of a plant in the world – a cycad named Encephalartos woodii.
Initially the garden grew experimental tropical crops but today the extensive offerings include the herbarium, orchid house, cycad collection, a garden for the blind and a tea garden.
Along with an extensive collection of South African cycad species, a highlight is the Orchid House, best viewed during spring.
Guided tours are on offer but it’s essential to book well in advance. The charity tea garden is open from 09:30 – 16:15 daily.
Racecourses
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Greyville (9.7 km from Westville) She's pear-shaped but a winner! The Greyville Racecourse surrounds the Royal Durban Golf Club's Championship course, which provides a picture of green grass and foliage throughout the year framed in the background by the many hotels of Durban's Golden Mile. This right-handed track has a circumference of 2 800 metres, and a run-in of 500 metres and no straight for sprints.
Unusual features are the golf course in the centre of the track, the Drill Hall which obscures the 1600 metre start and two subways. The construction of these subways resulted in the course having an uphill section from the 2 400 metre post up to the 1 800 metre position, thereafter a gentle downward slope for about 800 metres, followed by an uphill section from the 1000 metre mark into the straight. In 1996, history was made when it became the first track in the country to successfully install floodlights, enabling the course to accommodate night racing at all its midweek meetings.
Animal Parks
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Umgeni Park (9.8 km from Westville) Get in touch with your wild side with the luminous feathered inhabitants of Umgeni River Bird Park.
Tumbling waterfalls, lush semi-tropical vegetation, lively birds singing and squawking, walk-through aviaries and open paddocks contribute to make this a renowned bird paradise.
View dazzling macaws, parading flamingoes, stately cranes, and comical toucans. And you’ll see loads more – witness how some of the world’s rarest birds live and breed.
Make your way to the 'baby room' viewing window and follow the activity in the nursery where plump little chicks are reared by loving foster-parents.
Don't miss the Free flight Bird Show with critically endangered species like the Wattled Crane, owls, storks, hornbills and a Cape Vulture in free unrestricted flight. It's highly educational but also loads of fun.
Free flight Bird Shows take place at 11am and 2pm every day.
Shopping Malls
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Durban Central (10.6 km from Westville) Ever dreamt of sashaying in a sari, getting tattooed with henna or tucking into an ‘atomic bomb’ curry? Satisfy your yearning for burning and a lot more at Durban’s oldest market.
Venture down to the Victoria Street Market on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets in Durban Central and step into a sensory Afro-Indian world. Here the smell of incense and spices pervades the atmosphere where over 180 traders sell their produce. You will find all manner of delightful food and spices including a fish market.
Durban’s Indian community is the largest outside of India and has influenced the character of the city immensely. Operating since 1870, Victoria Street Market still offers a dizzying whirl of colour, aromas, vibrant fabrics and the cheerful noise of bartering. Shoppers can purchase silk saris, scarves, jewellery, woven baskets, beaded and carved curios, Asian ceramics and even cheap Chinese products.
Further down is the clothing mecca of Grey Street (Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street), where you will find typical Indian architecture, narrow lanes, colonnades over pavements and an array of fabric shops.
Open Monday to Saturday 08:00 – 18:00; Sunday and public holidays 10:00 – 16:00.
+27 (0) 31 306 4021.
Galleries and Museums
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Pinetown (10.7 km from Westville) The Fat Tuesday Gallery is dedicated to providing an exhibition space for visual artists. The gallery is strongly focused on acting as a platform for both emerging and established photographers. There is an eclectic mix of various paintings, photographs, and ceramics that will entice people with different tastes and interests.
There are also various funky items on display such as retro clocks, wind-up toys and re-worked images of pop culture. Visitors can browse through the large collection of books, home decor, and various pieces of original art. The gallery is open on weekdays and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Galleries and Museums
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Durban Beachfront (10.7 km from Westville) Built right on Catalina flying boats' Control Tower on Wilson's Wharf, Catalina Theatre's theme and decor reflect the ambience of a creative and dramatic flying machine!
Catalina Theatre is the dream of Durban thespian, director, producer and performing arts personality, Themi Venturas. New productions are staged every two to three weeks and vary from comedy and the classics to drama and rock music.
At Catalina there is a seat in the house to suit every artistic taste and personality. Bar staff are funky, the drinks are cold and the harbour view is breath taking. Say no more!
Shopping Malls
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Durban (10.8 km from Westville) With its incomparable harbour views, Wilson's Wharf is Durban's trendiest fusion of fun food, top shows and crafts, blended with the rustic interface of a boating marina and working slipways.
The waterfront has something for everyone, from a fast-food court to restaurants providing funky food and fine dining, from cuisine from the four corners of the globe to an oyster bar, and from harbour cruise dining to a cosy coffee bar or festive pub atmosphere.
Shops contain a wide range of quality crafts and speciality items for the discerning shopper, while the 165-seat intimate Catalina Theatre brings top shows to Durban's only stage with bay vistas.
The Marina offers deep-sea fishing charters daily, or visitors may take their pick of the catch-of-the-day from a full range of seafood at the wharf-side fresh fish market.
Popular Attractions
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Westcliff (Durban) (10.8 km from Westville) Leave your shoes at the door and walk into a colourful Hindu sanctuary. The spacecraft-like exterior belies the opulent interior of marble tiles, gold-tinted windows, crystal chandeliers and lavish decorations. Ceiling frescoes and statuettes pay tribute to the divine couple, Radha and Krishna.
Entrance is free and people of all faiths are welcome to spend time here meditating, praying or just to soak up the contemplative atmosphere while wandering around the lush garden and peaceful environment.
Underneath the temple is a wonderful restaurant run by devotees serving scrumptious vegetarian fare to eat there or take away.
+27 (0) 31 403 3328
Big Event Venues
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Durban Central (11 km from Westville) Where Africa and the world meet. The International Convention Centre Durban (DICC) is one of the most advanced conference facilities in the world. Key factors in the design of this
state-of-the-art technology driven centre are flexibility and versatility.
The DICC is a purpose-built, fully air-conditioned centre with three convention hallsthat are interlinked but separate. Moveable walls allow for numberous different venue configurations. Alternatively the halls can be opened up to form one large venue with seating for 5000 delegates or 7000m squared of column free floor space.
Together with its sister venue, the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC), the ICC can double its capacity to accommodate 10 000 conference delegates. The centres can function independently or as two halves of one whole. This is achieved by closing Walnut Road, a brick-paved concourse between the two centres, to provide easy access for delegates.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Stamford Hill (11.1 km from Westville) Home turf of The Sharks, official rugby team of KZN, ‘The Shark Tank’ is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct neighbouring Moses Mabhida Stadium in Stamford Hill, Durban.
Kings Park Stadium, officially known as Mr Price Kings Park Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is also endorsed as The Shark Tank and was previously known as the ABSA Stadium.
Durban’s Premier Soccer League football clubs often use the facility, which has a seating capacity of 55,000.
Kings Park Sporting Precinct, Jacko Jackson Drive, Stamford Hill, Durban
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Stamford Hill (11.2 km from Westville) Durban's stadium, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, played host to one of the 2010 Fifa World Cup semi-finals. This brand new stadium lies next to the Mr Price Kings Park Stadium, providing seating for up to 80 000 fans. The entire area is extensibly developed and incorporates Olympic-standard football, athletics and swimming facilities.
The vibey and colourful semi-tropical city of Durban has strong eastern ties. It's a truly multicultural city with a strong emphasis on the beach. Pack your boardshorts or bikini, sunglasses and skimpy evening gear and revel in Durban's endless summer – it averages 320 days of sunshine a year.
Needing some action? The surfing's great in the heart of the city and up or down the coast, there's awesome diving with sharks on the South Coast and beautiful coral reefs up in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, along with fantastic wildlife viewing there and at Hluhluwe/Umfolozi. Durban is KwaZulu-Natal's holiday Mecca and there's a wide range of beachfront accommodation to suit all pockets along the coastline.
Popular Attractions
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Stamford Hill (11.2 km from Westville) Leap off the top of the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the most exhilarating ride of your life. The ‘Big Rush Big Swing’ is the only stadium swing and the largest swing of any kind on the planet.
Step into the void 106 meters above the stadium field and swing out under the famous arch. Ultra-friendly and qualified guides give ample instruction and assistance. All equipment is provided.
+27 (0) 31 312 9435
www.bigrush.co.za
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Stamford Hill (11.3 km from Westville) Staging its first Test match in 1923, Kingsmead cricket grounds has seen some of South African cricket’s most significant triumphs. Kingsmead is also home to the KwaZulu-Natal cricket team – the Sunfoil Dolphins.
Today the extensively redeveloped stadium sport new stands, keeping the old main grandstand as a token of its past grandeur. The 25 000-seater stadium is almost situated within bowling distance of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean – it's just a short stroll to the beach.
The below-sea-level pitch is something of a local legend – apparently when the tide comes in it rises the water table, giving seam bowlers an unexpected advantage.
Bars Nightclubs
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Stamford Hill (11.3 km from Westville) For a hip and exciting night out, Tiger Tiger is always a good choice to spend your evening for some dancing, drinks specials and crazy theme parties.
The music is commercial, ranging from funky house to classic old school tunes. You'll be bouncing on the dance floor all night. The club is equipped with 7 bars and an outside viewing deck (facing Kings Park Rugby Stadium).
Age limits:
Fridays: 18/20;
Saturdays: strictly for the over 21/21 crowd.
Check up on the latest news for upcoming events and theme parties.