Durban’s R980 million beachfront amusement park takes a massive step forward

Durban’s long-awaited beachfront amusement park has moved a step closer to reality after securing approval for project development funding, paving the way for further technical planning and construction preparations.

The proposed R980 million attraction is planned for the former Durban Funworld site along the Golden Mile and is expected to bring a permanent, ride-led amusement park back to the beachfront.

The eThekwini Municipality said the project had completed its design stage, with technical planning now under way.

Statutory development work is expected to continue until the end of the first quarter of 2027, after which construction is due to follow.

The funding approval marks a significant milestone for the development, although construction timelines and the eventual opening date remain subject to the outstanding statutory and approval processes.

What’s planned for Durban’s new amusement park?

The development is intended to become a major family entertainment destination, combining traditional amusement rides with digital attractions and leisure facilities.

According to the municipality, the planned features include:

• Multiple world-class amusement rides.
• An extended reality and digital entertainment zone.
• A curated retail offering.
• An upgraded amphitheatre focused on events.

The combination of indoor and outdoor attractions is designed to allow the park to operate throughout the year, including during wet weather and in the evenings.

The development will occupy the former Funworld site within Durban’s central beachfront precinct, operating under a long-term development lease with the municipality.

Funworld was a longstanding feature of Durban’s beachfront before its closure. The new project aims to restore a permanent amusement attraction to the area.

R980 million project secures funding approval

The municipality said a development finance institution had completed its assessment of the project and approved funding for its development phase.

The funding also covers statutory work and supports the detailed planning and technical processes required to advance the project.

The approval signals institutional confidence in the development and strengthens its prospects of progressing towards construction.

However, the municipality will still need to guide the project through the applicable statutory and approval processes before construction can begin.

Beyond entertainment, the development is expected to generate economic opportunities for Durban.

The municipality estimates that approximately 1 400 jobs could be created across construction and operations.

Local small businesses are also expected to form part of the park’s supply chain, potentially creating opportunities for suppliers and service providers.

The project is intended to build on the Golden Mile’s existing popularity, which the municipality says attracts more than 17 million promenade visits annually.

By offering another major attraction, the city hopes to encourage visitors to spend more time on the beachfront, return more frequently and spend money at surrounding hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses.

For now, the project’s immediate focus is on technical planning and statutory development work, which is expected to run until the end of March 2027.

The next major milestone will be the progression to construction, subject to the required approvals.

While a confirmed opening date has not been announced, the funding approval represents a significant step forward for a project that could reshape the former Funworld site and add a new attraction to Durban’s beachfront.