A mere 30 kilometres east of Pretoria, Cullinan is one of those hidden treasures located in the heart of South Africa. Named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the town is most famous as the discovery site of the Cullinan Diamond.
While the diamond was presented to the then King Edward VII, the town is still very much a South African gem with a number of the oldest and most endearing historical buildings and mining houses in the country to be found here.
According to Nerina Wright, Leapfrog Cullinan franchisee, for those who love the idea of small town living, but with easy access to a metropolitan centre, Cullinan offers the perfect solution.
Most of the properties available in Cullinan are full title, with the average mine house selling for around R900 000, while more modern properties are going for R1.5 million and higher.
Wright says at the moment they’ve got a heritage property that was originally built in 1920 for one of the then EXCO members of the Premier Diamond Mine. The three bedroom home is situated on a 1 670 square metre tree-filled stand and combines modern amenities and comfort with a real old-world feel.
“This is one of the larger heritage homes available and is in immaculate condition, which makes it a steal at R1.6 million.”
For the more sports-minded, the Cullinan Golf Estate overlooks the town’s nine-hole golf course constructed in 1905. It is probably the oldest golf course in the old Transvaal. Wright says there are still vacant stands available for interested buyers.
During the week Cullinan is a sleepy mining town with around 8 700 inhabitants walking its tree-lined Oak Avenue lined with shops and restaurants, each with its characteristic Edwardian sandstone and corrugated iron finishes.
Things tend to heat up over the weekend as visitors roam between The History room, the McHardy house museum, St George's Anglican Church designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1904 and the Masonic Lodge completed in 1909 at a cost of £1200.
Wright says visitors feel as though they have been transported to an era when the world was different. Moving to Cullinan is a lifestyle choice. The area offers a combination of history, heritage, mining and nature.
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