Explore Johannesburg East & Ekurhuleni

We head to east of Johannesburg and explore everything Ekurhuleni has in store for all.  The East Rand comprises of Kempton Park, Bedfordview, Edenvale, Alberton, Benoni, Brakpan, Boksburg and Linksfield. If you’re planning a visit to Ekurhuleni, click your suburb of interest below and view our guide to the area, covering everything from interesting restaurants and must-visit retail hubs to hotels if you wish to spend the night (or weekend) and more.

What Are You Looking For? 

Kempton Park Bedfordview Edenvale Alberton Benoni Boksburg Brakpan Linksfield

Kempton Park

Kempton Park is the suburb of convenience! From thrilling entertainment and thriving business hubs to international travel, top-notch accommodation, exquisite dining, and so much more, Kempton Park has it all. This bustling area is home to one of the two airports in the province of Gauteng – O.R. Tambo International Airport – as well as the ever-popular casino, Emperors Palace; and Festival Mall, the biggest shopping centre in the suburb. And with the airport being so close, Kempton Park is brimming with bustling business and accommodation offerings for those visiting. Explore Kempton Park. [caption id="attachment_101072" align="aligncenter" width="663"] Image from Emperors Palace.[/caption]

Bedfordview

For some of the best entertainment and food in the East Rand, Bedfordview is the suburb you need to visit. Combining the family-friendly lifestyle with European-inspired luxury, this is the perfect place to call home or even explore over the weekend. A few popular spots to visit include Bedford Centre and Eastgate Shopping Centre if you're looking to indulge in some retail therapy. These malls also offer a lovely selection of restaurants to delight your taste buds. As for entertainment, the area offers an exciting collection of family fun, nightlife hot spots and sporting venues. Explore Bedfordview. [caption id="attachment_112862" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Sourced from Facebook.[/caption]

Edenvale

Known for its sprawling tree-lined avenues, quaint cafes, abundance of retail offerings and vibrant restaurant scene, Edenvale has something for everyone. Edenvale comprises a number of residential suburbs ideal if you're looking to settle down and raise a family, as well as a few industrial corners. A few points of interesting tin the area includes Greenstone Shopping Centre, one of the biggest malls in the east; De Molen Pancake House tucked inside the local landmark of the Dutch Windmill; Rush Trampoline Park is the kids want to blow off some energy; or simply enjoying the outdoors and taking a leisurely stroll through the market at Horwoods Farm. Explore Edenvale. [caption id="attachment_113906" align="aligncenter" width="660"] De Backery and De Molen Pancake House. Photo credit: Heather Mason.[/caption]

Alberton

Primarily characterised as a residential suburb in the south of the East Rand, Alberton offers families a lovely space to wind down, relax and make happy memories. Being within close proximity of neighbouring business centres and major freeways and routes, most residents commute to work in surrounding cities and suburbs. Here, residents and visitors can enjoy a slow side of life, enjoying a variety of outdoor recreational activities and even a spot of shopping. A few venues and location to note for your next visit includes the well-kept Alberton Driving Range if you're keen to practice your swing; the Jackson Dam perfect for an afternoon hike, fishing, walking your furry four-legged companions and getting some sunshine; and the Rietvlei Zoo Farm offering a Picnic Park, as well as lots of space to mountain bike, hiking or joining a park run; and lastly, the Alberton City Shopping Centre, complete with a dynamic mix of local and international brands from over 98 stores. [caption id="attachment_114895" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Image from Alberton City Shopping Centre.[/caption]

Benoni

Situated alongside the N12 Highway, diverse and historic Benoni is well-known as being the setting of the 2005 MTV-inspired movie, Crazy Monkey: Straight Outta Benoni. And let's not forget, the Oscar-winning actress, Charlize Theron, was born in Benoni. It is also known as a great suburb for first time home buyers due to the area's properties being great value for money. Other than making a great residential area, there are also a few great places to visit. Northmead Square not only offers a lovely retail experience for visitors and residents alike, but also brought movie cinemas back to the suburb (in case you didn't know, the last cinema closed in the 80s). Next up, if you'd like to brush up on some local history, be sure to visit the Benoni Museum. And have you ever visited a mall that's located on a steam boat? If not, Lakeside Mall on the southern banks of the Civic Lake is an absolute must.

Boksburg

Boksburg came to been when gold was discovered in the area in 1887. These days, it boasts a diverse industrial and mining scene as it is known as one of the most important gold-producing areas on the Witwatersrand. If you'd like to revisit the past, there are a number of old historical building to visit including a few old gold mines, the St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, the Old Post Office which was built in 1898 and the Law Court which has been standing from 1890. But if you're looking for entertainment of the modern day kind, locals and visitors can spend a Saturday morning strolling and shopping through the Bokkie Park and Bunny Park Food and Craft Markets. During the hot summers, Wild Waters is just the place to keep cool while having a blast on the water slides and rides. And lastly, shop up a storm at one of the Joburg's biggest malls, East Rand Mall. [caption id="attachment_96677" align="aligncenter" width="663"] Image from East Rand Mall.[/caption]

Brakpan

During the Gold Rush boom in the late 1880s, Brakpan was just considered as a suburban area within Benoni and only became it's own little town in 1912. Situated between Benoni and Springs, this town also centres around the industrial and mining industry, but boasts many distinct areas filled with activities and entertainment and residential communities. One of the top attractions in the area is the exciting Carnival City, shaped just like a circus marquee! This entertainment hub offers visitors everything from a buzzing casino floor and family fun to restaurants, concerts and much more. Other than letting the kids blow off some steam at the Magic Company at Carnival City, why not let them bounce themselves tired at Wi:Jump, the East Rand ultimate trampoline park! Need to do a little bit of shopping? The Mall @ Carnival is sure to have whatever you're looking for. [caption id="attachment_106608" align="aligncenter" width="663"] Image from Carnival City.[/caption]

Linksfield

As part of Edenvale, Linksfield can be found tucked between Fairwood, Cyrildene and Sydenham. This urban hub is an elegant residential suburb ideally located within close proximity to many attractions and amenities in neighbouring areas including Melrose Arch, Sandton and Rosebank. A few features worth mentioning includes the Linksfield Terrace Shopping Centre, perfect for those after work errands and weekly grocery shopping. Another feature to look forward to is the development of The Neighbourhood, a brand-new residential lifestyle estate complete with its very own unique social, retail and leisure hub – The Neighbourhood Square – offering quaint restaurants and coffee shops, as well as boutique stores. [caption id="attachment_114900" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Image from Linksfield Terrace Shopping Centre via Facebook.[/caption]