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The Australian Arms Guest Lodge

Kimberley Guest House in Kimberley
14 Guest Reviews
14 Customer Reviews
 
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  • Australian Arms
  • Bedroom
  • Australian Arms
  • Australian Arms
  • Bar
  • Conference
  • Description
  • Facilities
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.


  • Type: Guest House
  • Sleeps: 28
  • Check-in: 01:00 PM
    Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Reviews: 14
  • Airport Shuttle Service
  • Laundry Facilities*
  • Swimming Pool
  • ADSL Internet

Grading

  • 4 Stars - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
* Please enquire for further details.
14 Reviews on The Australian Arms Guest Lodge
Roseann Manning, South Africa
South Africa

We stopped over in Kimberley for one night on the way to Augrabies. The hotel is conveniently situated in the historic town next to the Kimberley Hole a short walk away. We enjoyed a tour of the hole and wondered around the old town, both were very interesting. The hotel accommodated our family, was clean and convenient. We would visit again.

03 April 2013
Helen Wilson , South Africa
South Africa

We stayed at the Australian Arms in the middle of December on our way to Cape Town. We were the only people there and the place was run down and poorly maintained and equipped. We could not open the windows and the breakfast was mediocre. What a pity as it could be a charming place . We have stayed there before and so this was very sad for us.

14 January 2013
Tanya Read, South Africa
South Africa

The rooms are lovely, but the service is absolutely shocking. We arrived earlier than the 13:00 check-in time and were advised that the rooms were not ready. We then returned at 13:30 and the rooms still had no towels, no toilet paper, no supplies and the dustbins had not been cleaned. I had to walk backwards and forward to reception multiple times to get some towels, never received any toilet paper except a tiny bit left on a roll that the person in reception handed to me (for two rooms and four people!), and had to ask for milk or milk powder. When I did, the two staff members that I asked were extremely reluctant and didn't want to be troubled. I told them that I am still waiting for toilet paper, and was informed that this was not their problem, they are only responsible for the rooms and coudn't do anything about the fact that management did not buy toilet paper. We were not treated like paying customers, but like a nuisance. I can honestly say I have never come across such ridiculously bad service in a hotel/guesthouse before. Will never, ever stay there again.

08 January 2013
RIAAN GOUWS, South Africa
South Africa

ON ARRIVAL: THE BEDDING WAS NOT DONE. THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH TOWELS. THE TOWELS HAD HOLES IN IT. I HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO GET IT RESOLVED - A TOTAL NO CARE ATTITUDE FROM STAFF I MADE A RESERVATION FOR BREAKFAST THE NEXT MORNING AND A TOUR TO THE BIG HOLE. THERE WERE NO STAFF AVAILABLE TO MAKE BREAKFAST.THE PERSON WHO WAS SUPPOSE TO DO THE TOUR WAS NOT THERE AND ALSO NOT AVAILABLE ON HER CELL. I HAD TO LEAVE WITHOUT BREAKFAST. I SPECIFICALLY BOOKED AT AUSTRALIAN ARMS TO DO A TOUR TO THE BIG HOLE. ACCORDING TO THE WEB SITE IT IS A 4 STAR GUEST LODGE - I CAN NOT SEE HOW THEY CAN EARN EVEN 1 STAR!!!!! I REALLY HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU. REGARDS, R GOUWS

04 December 2012
DAVID SMITH, United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The accommodation itself in one of the old cottages was very good and to stay in this complex is like stepping back in time. The proximity to The Big Hole is an obvious attraction and for 'one nighters' like us was perfect,as we walked only a few steps and we were at the entrance door. The living museum aspect is a great educational experience. The only criticism is (in our opinion)that the staff at the Australia Arms need to brush up on their customer care skills.The menu for the evening meal was very limited but great if you like steak. Fortunately there is another establishment that offers a wider choice on the menu and we ate there. The breakfast was ok but we needed to ask for anything that we wanted (butter & jam for toast and tea instead of the burnt coffee on the hotplate). Overall I would recommend people to stay here for the historic aspect of the accommodation and the proximity to the Big Hole.

10 July 2012
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Rooms Price Total Price

Double

Double bed

   Sleeps 2 people.
Child policy 0 - 3 years stay free, 4 - 12 years pay 50% of the sharing rate
R 440
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Family Room

Family room with 1 Double and 1 Single bed

    Sleeps 3 people.
Child policy 0 - 3 years stay free, 4 - 12 years pay 50% of the sharing rate
R 440
Per Person Sharing

Double/Twin beds

Double Room with twinbeds

   Sleeps 2 people.
Child policy 0 - 3 years stay free, 4 - 12 years pay 50% of the sharing rate
R 440
Per Person Sharing

Luxury Suite

One Double Bed with small lounge

   Sleeps 2 people.
Child policy 0 - 3 years stay free, 4 - 12 years pay 50% of the sharing rate
R 450
Per Person Sharing

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