Durban’s beachfront could soon welcome a new family entertainment destination, with the proposed R980 million Durban Amusement Park reaching a significant milestone on the road to construction.
The eThekwini Municipality’s flagship leisure development has secured approval for project development funding from a development finance institution, strengthening the prospects of bringing a permanent, ride-led amusement attraction back to the city’s Golden Mile.
Planned for the former Durban Funworld site, the development aims to give residents and visitors more reasons to spend time along Durban’s beachfront, combining family entertainment, digital experiences, retail and event facilities in one destination.
The funding approval follows the completion of the project’s design stage, with technical planning now under way. Statutory development processes are expected to continue until the end of the first quarter of 2027, after which construction is due to follow.
While further approvals remain necessary, the funding milestone represents an important step towards realising a development that could reshape the beachfront leisure experience.
What to expect at Durban’s new amusement park
The proposed Durban Amusement Park is designed to offer more than a traditional theme park experience, with a mix of attractions intended to appeal to families, young people and visitors of different ages.
The planned facilities include multiple world-class rides, an extended reality and digital entertainment zone, a curated retail offering and an upgraded amphitheatre geared towards events.
By combining indoor and outdoor attractions, the development is intended to operate throughout the year, including during wet weather and into the evening.
The combination of rides, immersive digital experiences and event facilities could also create opportunities for repeat visits, giving Durban residents another leisure option close to the city’s established beachfront promenade.
For families, the attraction is envisioned as a dedicated entertainment destination. For tourists, it could become another stop on an itinerary that already includes Durban’s beaches, restaurants, hotels and other coastal attractions.
Former Durban Funworld site set for a new chapter
The amusement park is planned for the former Durban Funworld site within the central beach precinct, under a long-term development lease with the municipality.
Funworld’s closure left the beachfront without its former permanent, ride-led amusement attraction. The proposed development seeks to restore that element of Durban’s leisure offering while introducing a contemporary mix of entertainment and visitor experiences.
Its location is central to the vision. The Golden Mile is one of Durban’s most established tourism areas, attracting beachgoers, walkers, families and visitors throughout the year.
According to the municipality, the promenade records more than 17 million visits annually. The new park is intended to encourage visitors to spend more time in the area, return more frequently and support surrounding businesses.
Longer visits could benefit nearby hotels, restaurants, retailers and other tourism operators, extending the economic value of beachfront activity beyond the attraction itself.
Durban Amusement Park project receives national tourism backing
The development has also received national recognition, having been selected by the National Department of Tourism through its 2026 call for projects and included among key tourism infrastructure developments.
The municipality submitted the amusement park as an investment-ready project, with its inclusion reflecting alignment with national tourism priorities.
The project was also showcased at the South African Tourism Investment Summit, providing an opportunity to present the development to a wider investment audience.
The approved project development funding will support statutory work, detailed planning and technical preparations. The funding institution’s assessment and approval provide an additional step towards advancing the project through the processes required before construction can begin.
The development brings together municipal planning, development finance and national tourism priorities around a major leisure investment for Durban.
Around 1,400 jobs expected
Beyond its potential as a family entertainment destination, the amusement park is expected to contribute to employment and economic activity.
The municipality anticipates approximately 1,400 jobs across the construction and operational phases. Local small businesses are also expected to be incorporated into the park’s supply chain, creating opportunities for suppliers and service providers.
The project forms part of more than R2 billion in investment already spent or committed to Durban’s beachfront, positioning it as a major component of the broader effort to develop the coastal precinct.
If delivered as planned, the attraction could create a new source of activity for the local tourism economy, supporting businesses that depend on visitors to the beachfront while expanding the city’s family leisure offering.
When will Durban’s new amusement park open?
The project has not yet reached the construction stage, and an opening date has not been announced in the information provided by the municipality.
With design work complete and technical planning under way, the next phase involves statutory development processes expected to run until the end of March 2027.
Construction is expected to follow these processes, subject to the necessary approvals.
The municipality will continue to guide the project through the applicable statutory and approval requirements as it progresses towards implementation.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
IOL