Where the world's largest diamond was found
The quaint Victorian and Edwardian village of Cullinan — the glittering diamond of Dinokeng, just 30 minutes east of Pretoria — is where the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, the world's largest rough gem
About Cullinan
The quaint Victorian and Edwardian village of Cullinan — the glittering diamond of Dinokeng, just 30 minutes east of Pretoria — is where the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, the world's largest rough gem-quality diamond, was discovered in 1905, only 9 metres below the surface of what is believed to be the oldest diamond pipe in the world. The cut stone now sits front and centre in the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain at the Tower of London. Take a one- to two-hour guided surface tour of the working Cullinan Diamond Mine, view famous diamond replicas and watch a diamond-cutting demonstration at the Diamond Hub, then wander Oak Avenue and Cullinan Junction — a living museum of giant oak trees, lovingly restored stone miners' cottages, elegant and offbeat eateries, diamond outlets, a jewellery school, antiques, craft shops, art galleries, a winery, an open-air museum and a nine-hole golf course. With gateway town Rayton and the township of Refilwe nearby, the area also offers cultural township tours, historic battlefields and fascinating museums.
Things to Do
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SportCullinan Golf Course
Play a round on Cullinan's prestigious nine-hole golf course, framed by the oak-lined streets and mine heritage of this historic Victorian village — a relaxed way to round off a day of diamonds and history.
HeritageSt George's Anglican Church
A beautiful old stone church in the heart of Cullinan village, part of the town's remarkably intact late-Victorian architecture. Nearby, the 1904 Cullinan Mystique building houses murals painted by Italian prisoners of war.
MuseumZonderwater Italian POW Museum
Zonderwater was the largest Italian prisoner-of-war camp of World War II. The museum commemorates the internees who lived — and died — here, preserving the art, craft and memory they left behind in the Dinokeng landscape.
MuseumSammy Marks Museum
Tour the gracious Victorian mansion of industrialist Sammy Marks, one of the Transvaal's most influential pioneers. The restored house, gardens and original furnishings offer a vivid window into 19th-century life near Rayton.
HeritageDiamond Hill Battlefield
Walk the site of one of the largest battles of the Anglo-Boer War, fought in June 1900 on the hills around Rayton — the historical mecca of Dinokeng. Interpretive markers tell the story of the engagement that pushed the Boer forces east of Pretoria.
CultureRefilwe Township Cultural Tour
A guided tour of the nearby Refilwe township offering a warm, authentic taste of local life, food and music — a meaningful counterpoint to Cullinan's Victorian streets.
Eat & Drink
View allUpcoming Events
Nov
14
Oak Avenue Night Market
Street food, live music and local crafters under the fairy lights on historic Oak Avenue.
Jan
20
Diamond Heritage Festival
Celebrate the anniversary of the Cullinan Diamond discovery with mine tours, exhibitions and live performances.
Mar
15
Cullinan Wine & Cheese Evening
An evening of fine wine and artisanal cheese pairings in the heart of historic Cullinan.