If you are planning a Gauteng weekend away, the quaintness of the historic small town of Cullinan, where the world's biggest diamond was discovered, makes the perfect base for a relaxing stayover, or if you are pressed for time a fun day trip from Joburg or Pretoria.

Cullinan is an easy one hour drive from Joburg and offers a welcome change of pace, characterised by a sleepy characterful main street, at the end of which sits the gigantic hole that is the centre of the mine. Just outside of town hiking, ziplining and other energetic pursuits await at Adventure Zone Cullinan in the Muningi Gorge, while the Big Five game reserve Dinokeng, is just a 20-minute drive away.

The 3106-carat Cullinan Diamond, now more popularly known as The Star of Africa, was discovered at the Premier Diamond Mine in Cullinan in 1905. The magnificent jewel now resides in the Tower of London where it is part of the Queen of England's most precious Crown Jewels. You can soak in Cullinan's mining history with a stroll down the picturesque main boulevard, Oak Avenue, with its Edwardian former mining homes now housing restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries. For something slightly off the beaten track you can also eat inside Cullinan's old train station which now houses a cafe as well as the expansive The Warehouse, a complex of cute gift and antique shops.

Pop into the small McHardy House Museum, Cullinan's first residence which was home to the family of the mine's first manager, to get a feel of days long gone past. It is also possible to take a tour of the Premier Diamond Mine itself, which is still a working mine.