The exclusive suburb of Killarney is situated in the North of Johannesburg between Rosebank, Melrose and Hyde Park. A relatively wealthy area, located west of the M1 freeway, Killarney is a densely built-up residential and commercial area, and has numerous high-rise apartment blocks, as well as a large shopping mall, Killarney Mall. Neighbouring suburbs include Houghton Estate, Riviera, and Parktown. Killarney is central to a number of destinations and places of interest. Just a few blocks away to the northeast are the Wanderers Cricket Ground and Wanderers Golf Club. 

It is home to the first shopping mall in Johannesburg and was formerly known as the Hollywood of Johannesburg, due it being the location of one the first film studios in South Africa. Interestingly, today South Africans use the slang term “larney” to describe something or someone as posh or extravagant. Killarney is currently home to consulates, tall residential buildings (including some of Johannesburg's best examples of Art Deco architecture) and a golf course. There is a large Jewish and Muslim community in Killarney as well as a prominent gay community and as such is a very modern and cosmopolitan suburb. There is prestigous office space on offer in Killarney, such as Killarney Mall Office Towers which is situated along the highway in Houghton Estate. Commercial property to rent or buy in Killarney Gardens is consistently in high demand not unlike the demand for office space in Houghton. The rather exclusive Killarney is also home to the Melrose Bird Sanctuary, where more than 120 wild bird species nest in the indigenous trees and reedbeds around a lake. The suburb is also handy for both the Killarney and Houghton Golf Clubs.

Situated almost next door to Killarney is the Rosebank Mews and Mall, both important up-market shopping centers. The Rosebank Mews also holds a very popular Flea Market every Sunday morning, and there are frequent "collectibles" markets. Other local attractions just a few blocks from Killarney are the Johannesburg Zoological Gardens and the Museum of Military History. Dunkeld is close to three on-ramps to the M1 highway. Killarney Country Club is one of the most prestigious clubs in Johannesburg, strategically situated near the M1 Motorway.