Cullinan

Afrikaans name: Cullinan

Jacaranda trees in full bloom in Cullinan

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Gauteng

Cullinan is only a 30 minute drive from Pretoria and is a great place to visit. The town was founded to support the diamond mining activities in the area.

On 25 June 1905 Frederick Wells, an employee of the Premier Diamond Mining Company, found the world-famous Cullinan Diamond. At 3,106 carats it is the largest diamond in the world.

Today Cullinan is also known as a tourist destination. There are numerous shops and restaurants along the main street. The town has a Victorian feel to it and its beauty is enhanced by the Jacaranda and Oak trees that line some of the streets.

The many shops are a great place to search for something unique whether it be an artwork or antique and everything in between.

The most popular activity in Cullinan is, naturally, to visit the diamond mine which offers various tours. Other activities include an adventure park, horse riding, abseiling and archery. There are a number of museums that one can visit.

Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve is nearby and is great place to go walking or to have a picnic.

Above - Cullinan Town Hall

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Old mine houses that have been convereted into shops and restaurants

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Old mine house street, Cullinan

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Anglican Church (1908)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 233

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 58

Mooiloop! The Book - Author: SABC 2 - Published: 2016 - Page: 14

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 166

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 103

go! - Issue 155 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 118

Country Life - Issue 230 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 28

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 645 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 18

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 692 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 36

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