The Gautrain service is the easiest, fastest, and most reliable way to travel between Gauteng's two main cities of Joburg and Pretoria. As well as ferrying commuters from home to work and back, it's a fantastic way to get around for some sightseeing as the Gautrain stations are located near museums, art galleries, restaurants, shopping destinations, and heritage landmarks. As part of our series of guides exploring Gauteng with the Gautrain, we've pulled together everything you need to know to plan day trips around the Gautrain's main stations.
Perfectly poised between Joburg’s historic inner city and Sandton’s glossy skyline, Rosebank is where business meets leisure with its pedestrian-friendly malls, top contemporary art galleries, buzzing restaurant scene, and cultural hotspots. While Rosebank has undergone significant development in the past decade, the district remains a friendly and welcoming one, drawing a diverse crowd daily. It’s also one of the best neighbourhoods in Joburg to explore on foot, ideally straight from the Rosebank Gautrain station.
1. Navigating from the Rosebank Gautrain Station
The Rosebank Gautrain station opens directly onto the pedestrianised section of The Zone @ Rosebank, linking seamlessly to Rosebank Mall and The Firs. From here, most major attractions – including Keyes Art Mile – are just a 10–15 minute walk via Tyrwhitt Avenue, the main artery connecting the station to Keyes Avenue.
Rosebank sits among Joburg’s leafy Parks suburbs: walk 20 minutes west to Parktown North, 15 minutes south to Parkwood, head north along Oxford Road to Illovo and the DP World Wanderers Stadium, or east toward Melrose.
For destinations further afield, Gautrain's fleet of Midibuses and Gaubuses connect Rosebank to Hyde Park, Killarney, Illovo, Parkhurst, and Melrose Arch. These operate on weekdays only, with the exception of the Parkhurst route. To use the Gaubus connections you will need a Gautrain card or a contactless bank card, as cash is not accepted on board. To use the Midibuses, passengers can purchase a Midibus Ticket at stations that offer Midibus services. Get our guide to Gautrain bus routes and find the route info and timetables here.
The Rosebank Gautrain station operates from 05:18 – 21:24, with trains running every 10 minutes during weekday peak hours, every 20 minutes off-peak, and every 20 – 30 minutes on weekends. For real-time updates and schedules, download the Gautrain app or visit gautrain.co.za. For a helpful overview, check out our guide to using the Gautrain.
2. Rosebank's art galleries and design hubs
Photo: 223 Creative Hub.
KEYES ART MILE AND BEYOND
Rosebank has one of the biggest concentrations of art galleries in Johannesburg, so if you're interested in contemporary art, these alone might keep you occupied all day. Start out at the sister galleries Everard Read and Circa on Keyes Avenue, which represent some of the biggest names in South African contemporary art. Host to the lively Keyes Art Night on the first Thursday of every month, Keyes Art Mile is where you'll find BKhz Gallery, a champion of up-and-coming local artists, and the moody and museum-grade Gallery 1 space. Further down past Jellicoe Avenue is Lizamore on Keyes, which always has an interesting lineup on show.
223 JAN SMUTS CREATIVE HUB
Part of the greater Rosebank area along Jan Smuts Avenue is a modern building with bold red metalwork – that’s 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub, and it’s well worth stopping for. Reimagined by gallerist Candice Berman, this light-filled creative destination has two floors of contemporary art, design studios, fashion labels to explore, including the largest African showroom of Swiss furniture brand USM. The ever-evolving residency space, The Creatory, is always a surprise.
GALLERIES ALONG JAN SMUTS
At the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Bolton Road sits Goodman Gallery, a landmark contemporary art gallery that's a Joburg staple. A few doors up Jan Smuts Avenue from Goodman Gallery is the Blue House, home of top fine art print studio David Krut Projects, where you'll find an art gallery space and the fantastic David Krut bookstore specialising in unique local and imported art books. Don't miss the neighbouring Gallery 2, a small, eclectic gallery that regularly features lesser-known artists. At the corner of Wells and Jan Smuts avenues is the Kim Sacks Gallery which showcases exquisite handmade objects by African artists, including ceramics, woven textiles, and beadwork.
NINE YARDS
On the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Chester Road (technically Parktown North, but effectively part of the Rosebank orbit), Nine Yards transforms 13 historic back-of-house buildings into a serene, bamboo-lined cultural precinct. For local design, fashion, and furniture, Something Good Studios, Artclub and Friends, and Houtlander are our favourites here. Plus, stock up on artisanal goodies at GardenFresh and Ti Amo Deli, and don't leave without your Plato Coffee in hand.
JOIN A GUIDED ART TOUR
For a guided experience of Rosebank's gallery circuit, Thabo the Tourist hosts a Hop-On Joburg Art Galleries tour that is light-hearted and incredibly refreshing. Email thabothetourist@gmail.com to make a booking.
3. Where to grab a bite in Rosebank
Rosebank is a major Joburg dining hotspot, and you're spoiled for choice when it comes to places to grab a quick lunch or settle down for a sundowner or two.
OUTDOOR DINING
On the corner of Baker Street and Bath Avenue is Soul Souvlaki, serving hearty Greek street food with great vegetarian options in a lovely courtyard setting. For an afternoon high tea there's Level Four at 54 on Bath, a truly splendid affair from top to bottom – with rooftop views out over Rosebank.
THE ZONE @ ROSEBANK
In The Zone @ Rosebank, you'll find lots of open-air restaurants and cafés for pavement dining, including brunch favourite Tashas and Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Mamasamba, to quick bites at Nando's, RocoMamas or Chiapas Eat Mexican for halaal, Mexican fare on-the-go. Grab sandwiches and light lunches at Pret A Manger or something sweet with delicious nougat and ice cream from Wedgewood.
HYDE JOHANNESBURG ROSEBANK HOTEL
Taking over Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank hotel’s former rooftop engine room, Nine Lives Supper Club is a hidden, speakeasy-style retreat and a sultry sister spot to Proud Mary: a modern eatery with a polished menu and a terrace perfect for people-watching.
THE FIRS
On The Firs piazza, enjoy al fresco dining at The Fishmonger, or book a table at the acclaimed The Grillhouse. For a Spanish tapas affair, try La Parada.
KEYES ART MILE
Much more than an eclectic art hub, trendy dining options abound at Keyes Art Mile including the famous rooftop restaurant of celebrity chef David Higgs, Marble, and casual Asian street food restaurant Momo Kuro. BGR is a contender for Joburg's best burger joint and, for other eats to grab and go, Pantry by Marble is an experience. Kanpai is worth a visit too if you enjoy Japanese food, bubbly, and tapas in equal measure.
OXFORD PARKS
Expanding Rosebank's reach to the north is Oxford Parks. Here, find contemporary Mediterranean cuisine at the ultra-chic Ethos, while the plush Qbar by Quoin Rock brings the Cape winelands to Joburg. Who needs the mountain?
ROSEBANK QUARTER
Take a left instead of a right on Keyes and then on to 158 Jan Smuts, where you'll find Rosebank Quarter with its restaurant courtyard. Look out for Napz Pizzeria, serving excellent Neapolitan-style pizzas. We also love Le Vin Wine Bar.
PARK CORNER CENTRE
A little further away in the sister suburb of Parkwood, at the Park Corner centre on the corner of Bolton Road and Jan Smuts Avenue, take your pick from Saigon Suzy for karaoke, east-Asian noodle bowls and stir-fries; healthy wraps and salad bowls from Green Dot Café, the meat-lover's paradise Che Argentine Grill; or the fun A Streetbar Named Desire. When everywhere else is closed, pop into Relish – a 24-hour halaal food oasis with imported snacks, pastries, and pizzas.
4. Coffee and go
Rosebank is café-central and lacks nothing when it comes to places to get your caffeine fix, from the artisanal Father Coffee (a favourite among serious coffeed drinkers, also serving wonderful matcha) to the trusty Starbucks. Doubleshot is a go-to for tea- and coffee-lovers alike. For those on a tighter budget, try the hazelnut cappuccino at Xpresso Café on Oxford Street, where everything is just R14. If you want a snack to go with your coffee, don't miss the Insta-famous crêpe cakes from the hole-in-the-wall Popo Tea House Coffee & Bakery.
On Tyrwhitt Avenue, Here.Joburg is a seamless blend of furniture showroom, coffee bar, and art gallery that transforms from a relaxed weekday work hub into a weekend hangout with DJs, all powered by pastries and very good coffee (their espresso tonic is great on a hot day).
5. Market shopping in Rosebank
In addition to the hundreds of shops available at The Zone @ Rosebank, The Firs and Rosebank Mall, Rosebank also has three excellent markets that are well worth planning a visit around.
Next to the entrance to Rosebank Mall on Cradock Avenue is the huge daily Rosebank Art and Craft Market. Make sure to head downstairs to the lower level to find the market-proper; what you see on the ground floor is but a mere glimpse! There are more than 100 different stalls selling the biggest collection of handmade items in Joburg from beaded sculptures and carved masks to hand-woven baskets, ceramics, leatherware, jewellery and colourful African fabrics. Most traders are happy to make custom designs and bargaining is welcome here, so don't be shy.
Now hosted at The Firs in Rosebank every first Sunday of the month is The Firs Antique Fair, South Africa’s longest-running tabletop fair and one of the largest of its kind, bringing together dozens of top collectors and antique dealers from across the region. It’s the perfect place to hunt for unusual collectables and hard-to-find treasures.
On Sundays the rooftop at Rosebank Mall is where you'll find the Rosebank Sunday Market, a popular destination for lunch and gift shopping with a huge variety of stalls selling everything from antiques to jewellery, vintage clothing and crafts. On the last two Sundays of the month there's also a car boot sale, which brings a fun, flea-market atmosphere and loads of great deals.
6. Family-friendly fun
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS
For a mind-bending adventure, visit the Museum of Illusions. With a range of exhibitions, optical illusions, and hands-on displays, you'll enjoy a captivating visual, sensory, and educational experience that might leave you questioning reality.
THE FUN COMPANY
At The Fun Company, challenge friends to tenpin bowling or amp it up with hyper bowling for new adventures. Enjoy friendly competition in the bumper cars, or immerse yourself in a cinematic experience at the XD theatre. Plus, arcade enthusiasts can revel in a sprawling selection of games for hours of entertainment.
CRACKER ZAC'S
For some adult fun (no one younger than 21 may enter), head to Cracker Zac’s right next to The Fun Company, an exclusive arcade and social hub featuring augmented reality darts, a retro arcade, and an upscale bar serving beer on tap and cocktails.
STER-KINEKOR AT THE ZONE @ ROSEBANK
Ster-Kinekor at The Zone @ Rosebank has swapped big-screen blockbusters for hands-on thrills, transforming its cinema space into an action-packed playground with axe throwing, a rage room, splatter room, archery, and nerf wars.
STER-KINEKOR ROSEBANK NOUVEAU
If you’re looking to catch something on the big screen, head to Ster-Kinekor Rosebank Nouveau at Rosebank Mall. It’s the go-to spot for the latest blockbusters on expansive screens with immersive sound. Grab your favourite movie snacks for the full cinematic experience.
HAMLEYS TOY STORE
Next to the City Sightseeing ticket office, it’s a world of play and imagination at Hamleys Toy Store, where you’ll be surrounded by the delightful sounds of squeaks, bleeps, whizzes, and chimes from an incredible array of toys. Established in 1760 by Cornishman William Hamley, who envisioned “the best toy shop in the world”, Hamleys truly lives up to that legacy with its mix of classic and innovative toys. The kids will love the Hamleys train that moves across The Zone at set times.
7. Essential sightseeing
The open-top, hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing Red Bus is a fun attraction for tourists, visitors and locals alike. Accompanied by an insightful audio guide, you'll get to see the city as you've never seen it before from the open rooftop of the bus. Hop on the Johannesburg Red Tour (1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour) from the City Sightseeing offices at The Zone @ Rosebank and explore the city’s best attractions. Cruise through the city's leafy suburbs with stops at Melrose Arch, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Constitution Hill. Then, dive into the city’s rich history with visits to the Mining District, Apartheid Museum, and Gold Reef City. Wrap up with cultural hotspots like Newtown, The Playground, and places of interest like Johannesburg Zoo, and the Military Museum before heading back to Rosebank.
Find out more about the bus and its operating times, ticket prices and routes.
8. Joburg's jacaranda district
For just over three weeks from late October, Rosebank becomes a key destination to see the city's flowering jacaranda trees, which transform the streets with canopies of purple blooms. Each year, Johannesburg In Your Pocket runs our #JacarandaInYourPocket photo competition and event series. While any time is a good time to visit Rosebank, spring in the district is a time to see it at its most beautiful.
Comments