The charming village of Cullinan is situated east of Pretoria, and is well known as the place where some of the world’s most fabulous diamonds were discovered. These include the Cullinan Diamond (3106 carats), the Centenary (599 carats), the Niarchos (426 carats), the Premier Rose (353 carats) and the Elizabeth Taylor Richard Burton (62 carats, cut from a 240 carat diamond). Premier Mine bears the distinction of being the site of the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond and the village and mine dates back to 1902, where Sir Thomas Cullinan established the mine and named the village. It is a historic little Victorian village, dotted with Sir Herbert Baker architecture and home to several well preserved houses and churches. The allure and atmosphere of a diamond mining town has not been lost and Premier Mine is still a functioning diamond mine. Oak Avenue, the main street leading to the tourist centre, is lined with original stone miner’s cottages and oak and jacaranda trees, and contains several historical buildings. In October the jacaranda’s flower and the village is transformed into a picture postcard. Characterized by beautifully preserved corrugated iron miner’s cottages and an old world charm, Cullinan has much to offer the prospective tourist. Whether it’s playing a round of golf on the beautiful nine hole golf course, with lunch at the magnificent Supper Room at the clubhouse or a lazy stroll down the historical streets, Cullinan promises to keep you entertained throughout your stay.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Pretoria 40 km, approximately one hour’s drive from Johannesburg International Airport and Johannesburg

Altitude – 1480 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – 750 mm per annum

Dams – Bronkhorstspruit, Roodeplaat,. Wilge

Mountains – Magaliesburg

Rivers – Elands, Pienaars, Wilge

HISTORICAL VIEW

Historical Cullinan

Cullinan’s historical charm and character are often compared with that of the well known Pilgrim’s Rest, and the town has the potential of becoming an equally popular tourist destination. Walking down Oak Avenue with the picturesque little Anglican Stone Church (1907) and quaint miner’s cottages is almost like taking a trip back into history. Be sure to visit La Casa, an extraordinary little restaurant located in a 1905 house, and the old fashioned barber shop across the road from the butchery.

Italian Prisoner of War Memorial

Second World War. At the Zonderwater Prison

McHardy House Museum

This was the first house to be built in Cullinan (1903), and was erected as residence for the Premier Mine’s first manager – William McHardy. McHardy House was declared a museum in 1988, and exhibits portray the lifestyle of a well to do family of the time (1903).

Murals Painted by Italian POW’s

View the murals painted by the Italian POW’s on the walls of the Cullinan Mystique, formerly known as the Recreation Club.

Sammy Marks Museum

Situated 23 km east of Pretoria, the Sammy Marks Museum depicts the stylish living of a bygone era, when fortunes were made in gold, diamond and coal discoveries. The house, called Zwartkoppies Hall, contains a cultural treasure trove of immeasurable value of the country. Tours are conducted on a daily basis and refreshments can be enjoyed under the shady trees next to the beautiful rose garden.

Willem Prinsloo Museum

The Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum, a part of South Africa’s cultural heritage, is an informal and living museum, where children can view farm animals and period farming implements. Demonstrations on traditional activities such as the baking of bread, candle making, distilling of mampoer (home made liquor), sheep shearing ets; are given on a regular basis. Other facilities and attractions include:

Tant Miertjie se Kombuis (kitchen)

A delightful traditional restaurant, offering tasty farm style meals and mouth watering home made bread – bookings essential; a lecturing hall, with audio visual equipment and ideal for meetings of up to 80 people; she Schoeman Hall, ideal for large functions; Lapakraal offering accommodation in 10 chalets (sleeps 4 each) at excellent rates; a Ndebele hut; horse riding; curio shop and caravan sites. Annual events include an Agricultural Show, Prickly Pear and Mampoer Festivals, these are very popular events, drawing visitors and competitors from all over the country and should not be missed.

NATURE

Premier Game Park

Undertake a game drive or a night drive in the Premier Game Park with a qualified SATOUR guide and conservationist. This park has numerous species of antelope (including sable and waterbuck) and an abundance of birdlife. Guided walking trails can also be arranged. Spit braais or picnic lunches can be enjoyed in the reserve.

ATTRACTIONS

Cullinan Mine Diamond Market (Schwartz Jewellers)

A must for jewellery enthusiasts, offering a large variety of diamond and gold jewellery with a South African touch.

Diamond Mine Tours

Tours of the Premier Mine are conducted daily. Surface tours consists of a visit to the diamond display room, the mine shaft, hoist toom and Big Hole. A 13 minute video is also shown. The tours lasts approximately two hours. No children under the age of 10 years are allowed in the mine. Underground tours take place on the second Friday of each month – no children under the age of 16 allowed underground.

Hassler’s Honey Farm – Purchase tasty honey and a variety of beeswax products.

‘Jan Harms Agerplaas’

Visit the curio and antique shop to be found at ‘Jan Harms Agterplaas’ and in the evening enjoy some live entertainment under the starts and around the campfire.

Konsensus Grotto Park

This resort is unique in the sense that it offers accommodation in various caves. Other facilities and attractions include tent sites on the banks of the river, picnic sites, hiking trails and swimming pools.

Little Eden

A popular resort close to Cullinan, offering three swimming pools, water slides, picnic and braai facilities, hiking, horse riding, fishing, bird watching and tennis. Refreshments available

The ‘Big Hole’

More than 300 million tons of ore have been removed from the site, covering 32 ha, making it the biggest man made hole in Africa. The Kimberley Big Hole is the largest hand made hole, but the Premier ‘Big Hole’ is five times bigger.

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors - Bird Watching, Fishing, Game Drives

Hiking - Premier Game Park, Seringveld Bavaria, Horse Riding

WHERE TO STAY

Oak House

A beautiful historic home dating from the early part of the last century and the discovery of the famous Cullinan Diamond. Three spacious bedrooms, all en suite, swimming pool, tranquil garden, close to tourist centre, look out point, golf course and restaurants. Dinner for group bookings by arrangement. Garden picnics, small weddings, honeymoon suite. Accommodation also available in the Acorn Family Cottage. Only 50 minutes from Johannesburg International Airport and half an hour from Pretoria.

Accommodation in and around Cullinan