Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum in Kimberley, Northern Cape (original) (raw)

One of Kimberley�s major attractions, the Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum, was once a flat-topped hill and is now an awesome hole - the largest hand-dug excavation in the world - dug by picks, shovels and sheer determination, measuring 215 metres deep with a surface area of some 17 hectares and a perimeter of 1,6 km.

The Kimberley Mine site started on or about 16 July 1871 and by 14 August 1914 all mining activities ceased. By that time it had yielded 2 722 kilograms of diamonds extracted from 22,5 million tons of excavated earth. Today the Big Hole is surrounded by original old buildings from days gone by, relocated from their earlier sites to form a magnificent open air museum.

The Big Hole has had a massive upgrade and now offers:

� The Underground Mine Experience enables visitors who enter a recreation of a mine shaft of the period to experience the perilous 19th century mining conditions.

� A fascinating fifteen-minute film introduces visitors to the story of diamonds at Kimberley.

� Inside the Exhibition Centre are photographs, archive material and original artefacts that illustrate the story of diamonds from the past to the present.

� Visitors can see the old jigging machines and grease tables specially designed to extract the diamonds from the ore in the Pulsator Building.

� The Real Diamond Display, which is housed in a vault, displays the largest uncut octahedron in the world, the famous 616, named for its carat and size.

� The new Viewing Platform offers visitors the opportunity to see The Big Hole from above, giving a sense of the Big Hole�s remarkable scale and grandeur.

� In the Old Town you�ll discover period buildings that have been preserved or restored to their original glory; these include, amongst others, a church built in Europe and shipped to Kimberley; Barney Barnato�s Boxing Academy; the Diggers� Tavern; an authentic digger�s sleeping quarters and the De Beers railway coach.

Need to Know

WhereTucker Street, Kimberley, Northern Cape.

WhenMondays to Fridays 08h00 to 17h00.

How muchPrices on request.

Telephone+27 (0)53 839-4600

More informationSee website

OvernightStay nearby in Kimberley, in Northern Cape

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Find Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum in these collections

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity

* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.

0.06 km / Guest House

New Rush Guesthouse

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0.25 km / Guest House

Victorian Guest Lodge

The Victorian style guest lodge provides Bed & Breakfast accommodation for business executives, holiday makers, local and international tourists ...

1.04 km / Hotel

Nare Boutique Hotel

Situated 700m from The Big Hole, Nare Boutique Hotel features accommodation with a restaurant, parking, a bar and a shared lounge. The hotel has ...

1.11 km / Hotel

The Kimberley Club

The Kimberley Club, famous since 1881, is an historical 4-star boutique hotel situated in the Kimberley CBD area, providing luxury accommodation,...

1.5 km / Guest House

Kimberley Manor Guesthouse

Experience the tranquility, comfort and personal attention, found at our Luxurious accommodation, nestled in the heart of the "Diamond City". Her...

1.78 km / Guest House

Cecil John Rhodes Guest House

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1.85 km / Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering

Hadida Guest House

Hadida Guest House offers comfortable, private self-catering accommodation (breakfast on request) in fully equipped, self-contained units, conven...

1.9 km / Bed & Breakfast

Sweet Dreams Guesthouse

Sweet Dreams Guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation in Kimberley. Each one of our double rooms has a King-size bed and an en-suite bathroom ...

1.94 km / Guest House / Bed & Breakfast

Agros Guest House

Agros Guest House offers top-notch hospitality, ensuring you'll be well taken care of during your stay. The en-suite rooms are equipped with air ...

2.05 km / Guest House / Self Catering

Mc Kala Guest House

Guests enjoy a friendly reception and neat clean accommodation at Mc Kala Guest House. Rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, flat screen TVs,...

2.1 km / Bed & Breakfast

The Nook B&B

The Nook B&B is an establishment in Kimberley. Accommodation is offered on a bed and breakfast basis. There are five en-suite rooms which each sl...

2.54 km / Self Catering

Caledon Overnight Rooms

Located 3.1km from The Big Hole, Caledon Overnight Rooms provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a shared lounge, ...

2.58 km / Guest House

Fancy Yellow Guest House

Fancy Yellow Guest House is an upmarket property offering fine accommodation in a quiet area in Kimberley. Of the eight rooms available, there ar...

2.64 km / Hotel

Halfway House Hotel

The Halfway House Hotel, Kimberley is situated on the Belgravia historic route and offers guests visiting the "Diamond City" accommodation in a c...

2.65 km / Guest House / Bed & Breakfast

Purple Steps Guest House

Introducing Purple Steps Guest House offers Kimberley accommodation in Royldene, Here you can expect a warm 'Home Away From Home' experience. The...

2.72 km / Guest House

Paljas en Kandas

Paljas en Kandas is a Kimberley guest house situated in a quiet and safe neighbourhood. The guest house offers clean, comfortable and secure acco...

2.81 km / Self Catering

Midway Overnight Rooms

Midway Overnight Rooms, a property with a garden, braai area and a terrace, is set in Kimberley, a short drive from the Kimberley Mine Museum. Th...

2.82 km / Guest House

Kimberley Boutique Guest Lodge

Kimberley Boutique Guest Lodge is located in Hillcrest, Kimberley. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation within easy reach of numerous shops...

2.86 km / Self Catering

Padlangs

Padlangs offers accommodation in Kimberley. This historical town is well known for the Big Hole, the Mine Museum, the Belgravia Historical Walk a...

2.87 km / Self Catering

Padlangs Self Catering

Padlangs Self Catering offers comfortable self-catering accommodation in Kimberley. The establishment is close to all the major attractions of th...

2.88 km / Self Catering

The Solomon

Located on Solomon Street, The Solomon offers accommodation in tastefully converted and furnished with high quality fixtures and fittings, The So...

2.89 km / Bed & Breakfast

Oak Rest Bed & Breakfast

Oak Rest offers luxury accommodation, great hospitality and a wonderful atmosphere under a large oak tree in Kimberley. Accommodation is offered ...

2.9 km / Guest House

Hillcrest Hosting

Hillcrest Hosting offers cosy overnight accommodation in Kimberley in two rooms located on the owner's property in Hillcrest. The property is ide...

2.97 km / Guest House

Villa Mexicana Guesthouse

Villa Mexicana in Kimberleyoffers modern, spacious accommodation ideally situated for both business or leisure travellers. Villa Mexicana offers ...

3.01 km / Hotel

Kimberley Anne Small Luxury Hotel

Kimberley Anne Small Luxury Hotel has accommodation where you can be at home in an exquisite work of art. All the suites have been designed with ...

4.68 km / Hotel

House Of Eden

House Of Eden offers comfortable accommodation to couples or groups visiting Kimberley in the Northern Cape. The lodge has 20 well-appointed gues...

11.26 km / Hotel

Ein Gedi Premier Lodge

Ein Gedi Premier Lodge offers hotel accommodation in Kimberley. The rooms overlook the bushveld area where you can spot a variety of birds and en...

14.69 km / Self Catering

Marrick Safari

Nestled in 3000 hectares of unspoilt savannah thornveld close to Kimberley, Marrick Safari offers accommodation in fully equipped cottages. The b...

15.65 km / Self Catering

Mein Heim Estate

Mein Heim is a beautiful farm only 15 minutes drive from the Kimberley city centre. This accommodation in the Kimberley area also offers pony rid...

33.75 km / Hotel

Cygnature Boutique Lodge

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90.48 km / Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering

Broadwater River Estate

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101.24 km / Guest House

The Last Eve Guesthouse

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101.47 km / Guest House

Rene's Guesthouse

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Belgravia Historic Walk

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0.92 km / Monuments

Kimberley Town Hall

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1.05 km / Museums

Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum

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Kimberley's Vintage Trams

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Rudd House

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Noteworthy attractions

0.42 km / Museums

Kimberley Mine Museum

Situated next to The Big Hole, this open-air museum (one of the finest in the world) depicts Kimberley in its Victorian heyday during the diamond...

0.42 km / Museums

The Big Hole

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0.93 km / Popular Tourist Routes

Diamond Route

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1.4 km / Landmarks

St Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral

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12.3 km / Archaeological

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14.16 km / Game Farms / Game Parks

Dronfield Nature Reserve

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Accommodation convenient to Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation / Diamond Fields Accommodation / Kimberley Accommodation

Kimberley as a destination

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