Gauteng’s warmer months are here, opening the door to water park days, strawberry picking, early morning hikes and ice cream stops across the province. From Soweto and Johannesburg to Pretoria, Boksburg, Krugersdorp and the Cradle of Humankind, residents have plenty of options for a #Spring2Summer outing in 2026. This guide brings together places to visit, current price ranges, addresses, and contact details to help families, couples, and groups plan their next Gauteng day out.
Some activities are highly seasonal, so timing matters.
Wild Waters in Boksburg, for example, opens its 2026 season on 10 October, while strawberry picking is currently available at The Cradle Berry Farm. Other destinations, including hiking trails and ice cream spots, provide more flexible options throughout the warmer months.
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Ice Cream And Gelato Spots In Gauteng
Whether it comes after a hike, lunch or a day exploring the city, an ice cream stop is one of the easiest additions to a spring outing.
Forest Gelato, Johannesburg
Forest Gelato makes gelato and sorbets in flavours including Madagascan vanilla, cold brew coffee, fresh strawberry with balsamic, mango and lime, and vegan coconut and lime.
The 44 Stanley location is particularly easy to build into a Johannesburg afternoon.
Address: 44 Stanley Avenue, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg
Contact: 087 808 0438
Price guide: R53.50 for 1 scoop, R81 for 2 scoops and R118 for 3 scoops. A 250 ml tub costs R89 and a 500 ml tub R178.
Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 daily.
In Your PocketSoweto Creamery, Soweto
Soweto Creamery is a homegrown dessert stop in Jabulani offering ice cream and loaded dessert combinations.
Address: 5 Madlala Street, Jabulani, Soweto
Price guide: Prices depend on the dessert or ice cream combination selected. Visitors should check the latest menu before ordering.
This is one to combine with another Soweto activity rather than necessarily making the dessert stop the entire outing.
SalaamediaAroma Gelato, Pretoria
Aroma Gelato brings the gelato stop to Pretoria, combining speciality gelato with Belgian waffles and coffee.
Address: 255 Lynnwood Road, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Contact: 012 362 3560
Price: Menu prices vary according to the gelato, waffle or dessert selected.
It works particularly well for couples and families looking for a relaxed treat after another Pretoria outing.
Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream, Rosebank
Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream Rosebank is another option for residents who want to work an ice cream stop into a shopping or restaurant day.
Address: The Zone Mall, 117 Oxford Service Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Contact: 081 703 5558
Price: Prices depend on the scoop, tub or dessert selected.
Paul’s also has other locations, allowing visitors to choose a branch closer to their Spring To Summer plans.
Water Parks In Gauteng For Warmer Days
For families wanting to turn the rising temperatures into a full day out, Gauteng has water parks on both the East and West Rand.
Wild Waters, Boksburg
Wild Waters – Boksburg officially opens for its 2026 season on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
The Boksburg attraction includes a wave pool and several water rides and slides.
Address: 1 Margaret Avenue, Bardene, Boksburg
Contact: 079 523 2694
Adults: R170
Children under 18: R150
Children under 6: R80
Pensioners: Free
School holiday rate: R100 per person when the park operates with limited rides
Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 17:00. Wild Waters also opens on public and school holidays.
Families planning a visit before 10 October should therefore wait for the new season to begin.
Pines Resort, Krugersdorp
Pines Resort is a seasonal West Rand water park with swimming pools, slides, a splash pad, picnic facilities and braai areas.
The resort operates from September to April on selected weekends, public holidays and designated opening dates.
Address: 2 Ivan Smuts Avenue, Silverfields, Krugersdorp
Contact: 011 955 3845
WhatsApp: 082 613 7912
Ages 8 and older: R180 standard, R220 on public holidays
Ages 3 to 7: R120 standard, R160 on public holidays
Ages 13 months to 2 years: R90 standard, R130 on public holidays
Babies up to 1 year: Free
Pensioners 60 and older: R100 standard, R140 on public holidays
Water park and Rope Adventure combo: R330 standard or R370 on public holidays.
Advance booking is important. Pines Resort does not sell tickets at the gate. Tickets must be purchased before arrival through Webtickets or participating Pick n Pay and Boxer stores.
Gates open at 09:00, slides begin operating at 09:30 and the resort closes at 17:00.
Aquadome, Vanderbijlpark
Aquadome at Emerald Resort provides an indoor alternative to Gauteng’s outdoor water parks.
The attraction includes swimming and water activities within the resort complex, making it useful when the weather is less predictable.
Address: Emerald Resort and Casino, Vanderbijlpark
Contact: 016 982 8175
Price: Confirm the current admission price with the resort before visiting.
Strawberry Picking In Gauteng
Spring is also strawberry season, but berry picking is one activity where visitors should always confirm availability before getting into the car.
The Cradle Berry Farm, Muldersdrift
The Cradle Berry Farm is one of the strongest seasonal options for an October outing.
The farm is located in Muldersdrift and currently offers strawberry picking during its 2026 season.
Address: R374, Muldersdrift, Gauteng
Contact: 078 417 9217
Adult strawberry picking admission: R100
Season: Strawberry picking dates are available during October, November and December 2026.
Visitors should check availability before travelling because strawberry picking depends on the harvest and growing conditions.
For families with children, the outing can also be used as an opportunity to introduce younger visitors to how strawberries are grown and harvested.
Hiking Spots In Gauteng
If swimming is not your idea of a spring outing, Gauteng also has hiking options ranging from free Johannesburg nature walks to longer trails around Hennops.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens combines indigenous gardens, walking and hiking with one of the West Rand’s most recognisable natural attractions, the Witpoortjie Waterfall.
The garden is also home to a breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles and has recorded around 240 bird species.
Address: End of Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort
Contact: 087 740 3639
Alternative contact: 079 778 3851
Opening hours: 08:00 to 17:00 daily
Admission: Day tickets can be purchased online or by card at the gate. Visitors should check the current day admission rate before travelling.
The garden works particularly well for visitors who want a flexible outing because a day can include a gentle walk, picnic or more active hiking.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Johannesburg South
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve offers one of the best budget friendly Spring To Summer outings in Johannesburg.
Preferred entrance: Opposite 129 Peggy Vera Road, Kibler Park
General enquiries: 011 943 3578
Entrance: Free
Summer hours: 06:00 to 18:00
Parking: Free at the entrance precinct.
Walking is the main activity in the reserve, with trail maps available at the entrance precinct. Visitors can also encounter wildlife including zebra, red hartebeest and black wildebeest.
For Gauteng residents trying to keep weekend spending down, the free entrance makes Klipriviersberg particularly useful.
RexbyHennops Hiking Trail
Hennops Hiking Trail offers several options for different fitness levels.
The trails include the 2.5 km Dassie Trail, 5 km Zebra Trail and 10 km Krokodilberg Trail. Visitors can also experience river crossings along the route.
Location: R511, Hennops River area
Contact: 082 825 9205
Adults: R100
Schoolchildren: R50
Registration: 07:00 to 13:00
Closing time: 17:00.
The longer trails make this a better option for visitors looking for an actual hiking day rather than a casual park walk.
Taroko Trail Park, Modderfontein
Taroko Trail Park combines hiking, walking, running and cycling at Modderfontein Reserve.
Address: 12 Norfolk Lane, Klipfontein View, Lethabong
Contact: 081 351 1223
Adult hiking: R50
Children under 12: R40
Pensioners: R40
Adult cycling: R75
Children’s cycling: R50
Reserve and picnic access: Approximately R35 to R50 depending on the applicable visitor category
Opening hours: 06:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Sunday, with extended Wednesday hours.
It is a practical choice for groups where not everyone wants to do the same activity, since visitors can choose between hiking, trail running and cycling.
How Much Can A Gauteng Spring Day Out Cost?
There are options across several budgets.
A Johannesburg outing could cost almost nothing if residents choose a free morning walk at Klipriviersberg and pack their own food.
A hiking day at Hennops costs R100 per adult before food and transport, while an ice cream stop at Forest Gelato starts at R53.50 for a single scoop.
Families planning water park outings should budget more. At Pines Resort, for example, standard admission for a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged between 3 and 7 would total R600 before food, transport or additional activities.
At Wild Waters, 2 adults and 2 children under 18 would pay R640 at the currently published standard rates.
The range means a Spring To Summer outing does not automatically need to become an expensive family day.
#Spring2Summer: What This Means For Gauteng Residents
One advantage of this list is its geographic spread.
Johannesburg residents have ice cream destinations and free nature options. The West Rand combines botanical gardens, water parks and strawberry picking. The East Rand has Wild Waters, Pretoria has gelato and access to Hennops, while Vanderbijlpark offers an indoor water park option.
Residents can therefore plan around both their location and their budget.
For families, checking prices before leaving home is particularly important. A free nature reserve, R100 hiking trail and full water park experience are very different outings financially.
Seasonality matters too.
Wild Waters only reopens on 10 October 2026, Pines Resort operates on selected seasonal dates, and strawberry picking depends on the harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can You Pick Strawberries In Gauteng In October 2026?
The Cradle Berry Farm in Muldersdrift has strawberry picking dates during October, November and December 2026. Visitors should confirm availability before travelling because picking is seasonal.
What Are Some Cheap Things To Do In Gauteng This Spring?
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve has free entrance, making it one of the most affordable options in this guide. Hennops Hiking Trail costs R100 per adult, while Taroko charges R50 for adult hiking.
How Much Does Wild Waters Cost In 2026?
Standard published admission is R170 for adults, R150 for children under 18 and R80 for children under 6. Pensioners enter free. Wild Waters opens for the season on 10 October 2026. Wild Waters Boksburg
How Much Is Pines Resort In 2026?
Standard admission is R180 for visitors aged 8 and older, R120 for children aged 3 to 7, R90 for children aged 13 months to 2 years and free for babies up to 1 year. Public holiday prices are higher. Pines Resort
Where Can You Go Hiking In Gauteng?
Options include Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve in Johannesburg South, Hennops Hiking Trail and Taroko Trail Park at Modderfontein Reserve.
Plan Your Spring To Summer Outing Before You Leave
Gauteng’s Spring To Summer season offers everything from a free morning hike to a full family water park day.
The important part is checking the details before travelling.
Prices, seasonal opening dates, berry availability and operating hours can change. Water parks may also reach capacity, while seasonal farms depend on what is ready for harvesting.
Choose the experience, check the latest information with the venue, book where required and then build the rest of the day around it.
