April 1, 2013

Monday Geology Picture(s): Gold Reef City– Some Rides

Posted by Evelyn Mervine

The start of one of Gold Reef City's many rides.

After passing through the mining themed entrance, enjoying an underground mine tour, watching a gold pouring demonstration, and panning for gold, my husband and I decided to enjoy some of the rides during our visit to Gold Reef City, a mining-themed amusement park in Johannesburg, South Africa. We visited the theme park back in September 2012.

The first ride that we went on was some sort of crazy rollercoaster where they lift you up and then drop you very fast. It’s one of the scariest rides in the park, apparently. I wasn’t too impressed with my husband as I thought we were just going on a normal rollercoaster. After I recovered from the scary ride, we did go on a couple of the easier rollercoasters and also a couple of fun water rides.There are all sorts of fun amusement park rides, and many of them have gold mining themes. There is also a wonderful Ferris Wheel. From the top, you can see large mine tailings that remind you of Johannesburg’s extensive gold mining history.

The scary ride that drops you suddenly. They have made this ride look like an old mine shaft.

Thunder Mountain! Hang on... isn't that also at Disney?

On the Thunder Mountain log ride at Gold Reef City.

A steep part of the log ride.

Another water ride. I like this one. You go down rapids in a giant spinning boat.

One of the rollercoasters!

A view of the Ferris Wheel.

Some main tailings (in the distance) viewed from the top of the Ferris Wheel.

More mine tailings (distance) viewed from the top of the Ferris Wheel.

Downtown Johannesburg viewed from the top of the Ferris Wheel.