Cullinan is a quaint Victorian village located on the Highveld thirty kilometres east of Pretoria. It was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan and it too owes its existence to the mining industry - in particular to diamonds. It is one of the best known diamond mines in Southern Africa having produced the world's biggest known diamond - the Cullinan Diamond - also known as "The Star of Africa".
It is a largely unspoilt Victorian village where the streets are lined with beautiful big trees and visitors can stroll around the town taking in the old architecture and just relaxing in the tranquil surroundings. There are numerous shops in which to browse, restaurants to sample as well as the Cockpit Brewhouse with its selection of homemade craft beers.
Cullinan has also become a destination for adventure seekers and there are loads of different activities to tempt you. in addition, the Premier Game Reserve is just three kilometres outside the village where you can go on day and night drives, walks and hikes.
- Diamond mine tours are a must when visiting Cullinan - choose a surface, motorised, or underground tour of the working mine.
- See replicas of the mine's most famous gems and diamond-cutting demonstrations.
- Check out the historical and cultural attractions including murals painted by Italian prisoners of war during World War II.
- Visit St George's Anglican Church designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
- Spend some time in the Sammy Marks Museum.
- Browse around the Cullinan station.
- Quaff a few wonderful craft brews in the Cockpit Brewhouse.
- Try your hand at one of the many adventure activities offered (http://azcullinan.co.za).
- Spend a lazy afternoon on one of the steam train trips.
- Go on a game drive, walk or hike at the neighbouring Premier Game Reserve.
- McHardy House Museum
- Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum near Cullinan hosts mampoer-making demonstrations and the annual Mampoer Festival. Mampoer is a white spirit distilled from fermented fruit.
In 1898 Sir Thomas Cullinan was handed a three carat diamond along his fence. He believed it came from a hill on an adjacent farm and after his overtures to purchase the land were initially rebuffed he succeeded. The Cullinan kimberlite pipe was discovered in 1902 and open-pit mining commenced the following year. The open pit is one of the biggest in the world and three times the size of the more famous, Kimberley Big Hole.
In June 1905 the famed Cullinan diamond (also known as the "Star of Africa") - the world's biggest at 3 106 carats - was discovered. It was bought by the Transvaal government and presented to King Edward VII.
