The park is named after Christiaan Johannes Joubert, a member of the Executive Council of the South African Republic.
The Johannesburg Art Gallery, located within the park grounds, was designed by architect Edwin Lutyens.
The original conservatory, a cast-iron Victorian structure, was demolished in the mid-20th century.
The park was one of the first spaces in the city to be designated for public leisure during the late 19th-century mining boom.
The site hosts a diverse collection of outdoor sculptures by notable South African artists, including pieces by Eduardo Villa.
Joubert Park is the oldest park in Johannesburg, established in 1887 on land that formerly served as a brickfield. It is anchored by the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), which houses one of the largest collections of historic and contemporary art on the African continent. The park serves as a green lung in the dense inner city, bordered by the bustling rail transit corridor. Its landscape design reflects Victorian-era urban planning, originally featuring a conservatory that was a notable botanical attraction. Today, the park acts as a focal point for the surrounding high-density neighborhoods of Braamfontein and the Central Business District. It remains a site of significant socio-historical importance, having evolved alongside the city's growth from a mining camp into a metropolis.
The entrance steps and grand facade of the Johannesburg Art Gallery facing the interior park lawns.
Visit during daylight hours only, as the park lacks security surveillance at night.
Combine your visit with a trip to the Johannesburg Art Gallery to maximize the experience.
Keep your belongings secure and avoid displaying valuables while walking through the area.
Do not attempt to traverse the park after sunset, as the immediate vicinity can become high-risk for petty crime.
The Johannesburg Art Gallery within the park often closes on Mondays and public holidays.
