The hilly area was settled by people working in Durban who wanted to escape the humidity of the coastal city.

In 1952, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, Malvern received municipality status and changed its name to Queensburgh.

[2] Queensburgh is a collective name for several smaller suburbs located on the rolling hills south-west of Durban, primarily comprising Northdene, Malvern, and Escombe.

The Old Main Line, which connects Durban and Pietermaritzburg, has stations at Northdene, Escombe, Malvern, and Poet’s Corner.

The suburb has a significant Indian population who moved to the area from neighbouring townships after apartheid had ended.