- Province: Western Cape
- Coordinates : 33°49′57″S 18°38′51″E
- Area: 2.62 km2
- Municipality:Â City of Cape Town
Durbanville lies in the northern suburbs, approximately 30 km from the city centre of Cape Town. The suburb is positioned north of Bellville and south of Malmesbury, at the foothills of the Tygerberg range. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality and is connected by the N1 highway via the R302 and M13 regional routes. The surrounding landscape includes rolling hills, vineyards, agricultural land, and expanding residential developments.
Jump to: History of Durbanville |Things to See and Do in Durbanville |Useful Numbers in Durbanville
History of Durbanville
One of the oldest municipalities in the Western Cape, Durbanville is named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban, who served as governor of the Cape from 1834 to 1838. Before 1836, locals called the area Pampoenkraal, meaning “pumpkin fold” or kraal, which refers to an enclosure for cattle. Farmers named it this way because it served as a meeting place near freshwater springs just behind the Durbanville hills. Jan van Riebeek discovered these springs in 1652, and they became a watering station for travellers journeying from Cape Town to the interior.
On 2 September 1836, it was renamed D’Urban in honour of Sir Benjamin D’Urban, Governor of the Cape from 1836 to 1838. A year later, when Port Natal was renamed Durban, this led to some confusion. To resolve this, the village became Durbanville in 1886.
After the turn of the 19th century, the village grew quickly. The King Brothers’ local wagon works developed. This used to be South Africa‘s largest wagon-building factory. At the turn of the century, almost all the village, more than 200 men, were employed there. At its peak, it was one of the largest wagon works in South Africa. However, the business closed before the First World War.
In the late 19th century, the arrival of the railway connected Durbanville to Cape Town and facilitated trade and transportation
A school was established in 1828, reflecting early settlement in the area. A town council followed in 1897, and Durbanville received full municipal status in 1901.
Social life in the 19th century included music, theatre, dances, and horse racing. Hunting was popular with the Cape Hunt Club, holding its first recorded hunt in 1843. This helped to control jackal populations.
Infrastructure developed steadily, with paraffin street lamps introduced in 1905 and electric street lighting in 1929.
In 1825, the community established a Dutch Reformed Church. By the 1870s, the town had its own court, magistrate, and jail. John King was the first mayor of the municipality that came into existence in 1901. . Since the 17th century, residents have planted grapevines in the area, primarily of the Cape Madeira variety.
The geology of the area is the bedrock for most of the business in Durbanville, from the wine industry, farming, outdoor activities, tourism, and mining. The Durbanville hills are the oldest rock you will find in the Cape, at 560 million years old. The hills are part of the Malmesbury Siltstone Group called the Tygerberg Formation, which includes Signal Hill in Cape Town and Devil’s Peak.
Historical buildingsÂ
With the rapid expansion and modernisation of Durbanville during the early 1900s, the town lost many of its historical houses and buildings; some have remained. Visit Heritage Square, where the King brothers once had their wagon empire, and it is now a modern centre, but with lots of replicas, murals and photos of Durbanville’s bygone days.
The postcode for Durbanville is 7550
Transport
Durbanville is served by   Golden Arrow Bus Services and minibus taxis. See linked pages for details. Other options for getting around the Western Cape.
Things to See and Do in Durbanville
- Rust-en-Vrede, in Wellington Road, is a Cape Dutch complex that dates back to 1850
- There are 12 farms in the valley, including Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D’Aria, DeGrendel, Dimersdal, Hillcrest, Meeredndal, N’Tida, Phesantekraal and Signal Gun.
- Historical buildings, walking among the remnants of its rich history, several notable structures stand as testaments to Durbanville’s architectural heritage. These buildings not only reflect the town’s evolution but also serve as educational landmarks that provide insight into the region’s past. A walking tour through these sites offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the blend of historical significance and modern development that characterises Durbanville today. Visitors are encouraged to explore these treasures to fully grasp the town’s enduring legacy.  With the rapid expansion and modernisation of Durbanville during the early 1900s, the town lost many of its historical buildings; some have remained and are well worth visiting.
- ‘Open gardens’ in spring info@durbanvillegardenclub.co.za
- Durbanville Plaasfees 082 376 3236
- Heritage Square in Vrede St,
- Onze Molen. The mill was built between 1837 and 1842 at the Johannesfontein farm. The structure was converted to a horse mill. It is one of only two tower mills erected in the Malmesburg district.
        
- Morningstar Park Outdoor Gym, Cnr School Street and Kwartel Road.
- Vissershoek pass
- The Brews and Blues Festival. It is an annual event. The festival brings together the love of beer and music.
- Tygerberg/Durbanville Nature Reserve
- Â Boland Dam, Sonstraal and Vygeboom Dams, and Kenridge Dam
- Kenridge Bark Park Door De Kraal Ave. Enclosed off-leash dog park
- Parkrun 08:00 every Saturday at Meerendal Estate, durbanville@parkrun.com
- What’s on in Durbanville, Facebook pageÂ
- Durbanville wine safari
- What’s on in Durbanville website
Resources
- For permits, fishing rules, shell collecting regulations and other practical outdoor information, see the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide
local WEATHER TODAY
Browse businesses and places to visit in Durbanville
Useful Numbers in Durbanville
Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities
-
Emergency Services
- Police: 021 970 3800
- Fire: 021 444 7290
- Ambulance: 10177 – Resq Medix Ambulance Service-021 948 8091
-
Medical
- Closest hospital: Mediclinic 021 980 2100
- Pharmacy; Medicare Pharmacy Village Square-021 975 6570
-
Municipal & Utilities
- Municipality– 021 444 5467
- Water: 021 444 5467
- Electricity: 021 444 5467
-
Transport & Roads
- Traffic department: 021 444 7084
- Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
-
Community & Safety
- SPCA: Uitsig Animal Rescue,· Animal shelter-083 375 3606
- NSRI 087 094 9774
- 24-hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape: 0861 555 777.
-
Local Contacts and Community ResourcesÂ
- Post office; 021 976 2933
- Library;021 444 7070
- Civic centre:021 400 3966
- Museum; Rust-en-Vrede,Art Gallery & Clay Museum- 021 976 4691
-
Schools in Durbanville
- High School-021 976 3188
- Reddam House -010 060 4236
- Fairmont High School, Durbanville-021 976 1147
- Curro Independent School-021 975 6377
- Primary School-021 976 8115
- High School-021 976 3188
- Preparatory School-021 975 1125
- Alpha Primary School-021 976 1493
- Valmary Park Preprimary School-021 976 2890
- Alpha Primary School-021 976 1493
- Kenridge Primary School 021 976 3046
Suburbs in Durbanville include Aurora, Durbanville Hills, Durbell, D’Urbnvale, Durmonte, Eversdal, Goedemoed, Kenridge, Sonstraal, Skoongesig, Uitzicht, Vierlanden and Vygeboom.
FAQs – Durbanville
1. Where is Durbanville located?
Durbanville is a northern suburb of Cape Town, about 30 minutes from the city centre, bordered by Bellville, Brackenfell, and the Durbanville Hills wine region.
2. What is Durbanville known for?
It’s known for its wine estates, leafy upmarket suburbs, and village atmosphere, with easy access to both city amenities and countryside tranquillity.
3. How far is Durbanville from Cape Town?
Durbanville is roughly 30 km from Cape Town CBD via the N1 or N7 highways.
4. What are the main attractions?
Top attractions include the Durbanville Wine Valley, Durbanville Rose Garden, Wine Estates, and Durbanville Nature Reserve.
5. Are there schools in Durbanville?
Yes, Durbanville has several top-rated schools such as Durbanville High School, Durbanville Primary, Fairmont High, and Reddam House Durbanville.
6. What shopping options are available?
Durbanville offers multiple centres, including Village Square, Wellington Park, Wellington Road (High Street shopping) and The Market at the Barn for local produce and crafts.
7. Is Durbanville safe?
It’s considered one of the safer suburbs in Cape Town, with active community patrols and well-established neighbourhood watch groups.
- Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
Learn more about the project HERE
