The Australian Arms Guest Lodge

Guest House 

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Description

On the premises of one of South Africa's most known icon and tourism attractions - the Big Hole - is the Guest Lodge and Pub. The Lodge consists of several authentic buildings dating back to the late 1800's. Visiting this establishment will take you back to the days of the Diamond Rush known as the era of fame, fashion and wealth.

Today boast thirteen exclusive rooms all in the original old diamond houses inside the Big Hole Complex. All the rooms offer air-conditioning, Victorian bathrooms with showers, DSTV and a bar fridge.

We have the use of the German Lutheran Church of St. Martini within about 50 meters from our building in the Big Hole complex. This is the oldest existing church in Kimberley, built in 1875. It contains all its original furnishings. The church is hired out for weddings and Christening ceremonies. The church can accommodate up to 100 people. Now you can have your wedding in the Old Town at The Big Hole, have your reception at and let your guests stay on site also at . You never need to leave the premises of The Big Hole as the Old Town is also the perfect setting for exclusive wedding photographs. Now you don’t even need to travel after the reception as you and your bride can sleep over in our special Bridal Suite to make the day even more special.

We cater for conferences as well as private and corporate functions. Our wedding package includes the use of the historic chapel of the Big Hole complex.

There is 24 hour security on-site, with controlled access for vehicles. You can park your car inside the complex within a few meters of your chosen room.

While staying over at the Australian Arms you have the ideal opportunity to visit The Big Hole complex where you can do all of the following:

Play Skittles at the Skittle Alley with old wooden balls just as the diggers of old did.

Try your luck at the Diamond Dig where you could sort through gravel to find a special diamond token and win great prices.

Take a ride on the Kimberley Tram. This restored electric Tram used to transport people between various sections of the town like to Beaconsfield or Alexandersfontein. Now you can relive the thrills of riding through town on an open tram just as the people did a hundred years ago.

Visit the Occidental bar where you can have a drink in a typical old time pub.

Wander through the Old Town and experience life as it was during the founding days of Kimberley.

Visit the new visitor’s centre at The Big Hole where you can see a movie, look at the Big Hole, experience the thrills of an underground scene of a Diamond Mine as well as see the Diamond Display where the world’s largest uncut diamond, the 616, is on display.

You could also shop at the various shops in the complex. You could visit Annette’s Gift Shop, drink Coffee at “Coffee at the Hole”, buy a piece of Africa at the Rock Shop, see the genuine leather articles at “Kitwe Leather” or buy a memento at Art Memo’s.

In the Old Town you could try out the various wines produced in the area and buy a bottle or two of Barney Barnato’s wines that are exclusively sold at Gowie's Corner.

If you feel like a bite, you could buy fast foods at the Diamond Rush Café. This replica of a “caravan” of a hundred years ago serves cool drinks and fast foods.