Opened in 1931 Rand Airport is a fine example of the art deco architecture that became so prevalent on the East Rand in the 1930s, a side effect of immense prosperity generated from mining the rich seam of gold in this area. Once Joburg’s main commercial airport, Rand Airport now caters mostly to charter flights and aviation schools and also serves as an offbeat tourist destination, free to the public to explore and enjoy. There is an informal viewing deck on the second level of the airport building, accessible to the public via a stairway. When looked at from the runway area in front of the building, Rand Airport – painted in bold bright blue and yellow – mimics the shape of an airplane. The casual restaurant on the premises, the Harvard Café, is perfect for soaking up the atmosphere of this small, historic airport.

Location, location, location. That’s what it’s all about at the Harvard Café, named after a WWII-era airplane called the North American Harvard Mk. IV. Harvard Café’s outdoor tables sit right beside the tarmac, turning a regular meal into an exciting family outing (there is a play area for the kids). The menu offers the usual South African pub fare – pizza, burgers, ribs, and sandwiches – as well as a selection of sushi. The pizzas, with airplane-themed names like “the Cockpit” and “Mustang Sally”, receive rave reviews. But this isn’t the type of place one visits especially for the food; it is best suited to a visit on a sunny day so you can sit under an umbrella, beer or cocktail in hand, nibbling snacks while watching the prop planes and helicopters come and go.