Christiana, Southern District, North West Province

Christiana is a small farming and river resort town in the Southern District of the North West Province, on the border with the Free State. The town has a rich diamond ‘diggers’ history from the 1800’s when prospectors searched for alluvial diamonds in the Vaal River bordering the town, but today Christiana is an agricultural centre, mostly for maize farming, potatoes, onions, peanuts and sorghum, as well cattle ranching and horse breeding.

Attractions and activities in and around Christiana include the Christiana Diggers Museum, where you can learn about the town’s prospecting past and the ‘sinking of the Digger’s Bell’, which is still under water despite rumours that there are still diamonds in it, and after several failed attempts to get it out of the Vaal River resulted in a number of drownings. The Vaal River provides excellent opportunities for watersports such as white-water rafting and fishing, and you can view San Rock Art at the Stowlands farm about 6km from town, at Stows Kopje. Hot minerals springs and game viewing are available at the Aventura Vaal Resort.

Only 30 mins drive away, the Bloemhof Dam is one of South Africa’s top fishing spots, and the Sandveld Nature Reserve is one of South Africa’s top birding venues. The Taung Heritage Site is only an hour away, north via Jan Kempdorp.

There are numerous river front holiday homes with boat and jetski sheds, slipways, piers and private barges – perfect for sunset cruises with friends and family, making Christiana a popular holiday destination only 3 hours from Gauteng.

Christiana’s Diamond Rush days are long over, but diamonds can still be found on the very rare occasion, or so it’s rumoured…so keep your eyes peeled for a tell-tale glint in the river gravel when you go fly-fishing in the Vaal River outside Christiana…

Getting there: Christiana is 2 and half hour’s drive from Potchefstroom on the N12, south of Bloemhof.