View from Northcliff Hill

Northcliff Hill is a great vantage point to see some of the green suburbs. The city skyline can be seen in top right. Randburg and Sandton business districts are in the middle distance.

Image submitted by Margaret - Thank you

Walk in The Wilds, Houghton

The Wilds, one of the many parks around Johannesburg, is only a stones throw from the flat land of Hillbrow. One of the city's highways dissects the Park.

Walks though this Park and others are conducted regularly by Dog Walks. Visit them at: http://www.wildswalk.co.za/dogwalk/

Images submitted by Tricia - Thank you

About 150 Years ago...

About 150 years ago, there was little else on the Johannesburg Highveld other than rolling grassland with the odd grove of shrubs and trees sprinkled across the landscape. A scattering of ridges and koppies through which a number of streams and rivers meandered completed the picture.


But with the discovery of gold in 1886 and the ensuing Gold Rush, Johannesburg was born. Folk living in the booming mining town soon realised the need to set aside areas where nature could flourish and residents could enjoy outdoor activities. Joubert Park, proclaimed in 1906, was the City's first park.

Far from being a dusty, concrete-filled city, Johannesburg is filled with leafy trees and has dozens of spacious green lungs.

Jungle meets Jungle

Jungle meets jungle. The green suburbs meet the concrete jungle of Hillbrow.
(Submitted images.)

Here is a satellite image of Johannesburg and the northern suburbs. Note the green areas, the suburbs look just like the Amazon forest from space. The city centre can be seen in the lower part of the picture. Click on the image for a larger view.

Saxonwold street

One of the many tree lined avenues in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

Bryanston's forest

Looking east across the suburb of Bryanston. Sandton business district in the background.