Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum, The

Visitors are amazed by the size of the Big Hole when they first step onto the viewing platform. It’s the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, measuring 215 metres deep, with a perimeter 1.6 kms long. The mine was started in July 1871 and produced 2722 kilograms of diamonds from 22.5 million tons of earth in the 43 years up to August 1914 when it closed down. Today the Big Hole is surrounded by original old buildings relocated from their former sites to form a captivating open-air museum. 

The Visitor Centre tells the multi-faceted story of diamonds, this includes the of the people that sought them, the tools they used and the wealth they generated. 

In the Visitor Centre guest will have the opportunity to join a tour with a Site Guide. Other attractions of interest are the Underground Mine Experience; a 15-minute film on the diamonds of Kimberley; an Exhibition Centre with photographs, old artefacts and other archive material; and The Real Diamond Display, housed in a vault.

Tours
Monday to Friday
First tour @ 09h00 every hour thereafter
Last Tour @ 16h00

Weekend Tours
Saturday to Sunday
First tour @ 09h00 every second hour thereafter
Last Tour @ 15h00

• The Big Hole Facility is wheelchair friendly