The Big Hole & Kimberley mine museum

The Big Hole is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world and is a spectacular site to behold. Created by picks, shovels and sheer determination, the Big Hole is 214 meters deep and has a perimeter of 16km. It was mined between 1871 and 1914 and yielded 2722kg of diamonds, extracted from 22,5 million tons of excavated earth.

Barkly Iron Bridge

This rusty old girded structure was the first bridge over the Vaal River and it still stands as a testament to the engineers and explorers of gold. It was transported in sections from the United Kingdom (by sea, rail and over the last 100km by ox wagon) and erected across the Vaal in 1885.

Vaal-Harts Dam

Located on the Vaal River just east of Warrenton, this dam was built as part of the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme. it is a popular fishing and boating destination and has braai and picnic facilities. The system of concrete canals irrigates an incredible 1280 farms.

Poplar Lane

The long road of Hartswater is lined with thousands of popular trees, giving the journey through the region a somewhat romantic country atmosphere. The poplar lane is 38km long and is widely considered to be the longest of its kind in the world.