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Kimberley, British Columbia

© Andrea Jones

Kimberley, British Columbia is nestled in the south east of the province within sight of Canada's magnificent Rocky Mountains. Formerly called Mark Creek Crossing, the city was renamed in 1896, after South Africa's famous diamond mining city. At an elevation of 1,100m (3,663ft), Kimberley has the distinction of being Canada's highest city. It is also renown for it's abundance of sunny days, receiving an average of 2,151 hours of sunshine per year.

A four-hour drive from Calgary; Kimberley is close to many scenic and historical communities. Fort Steele with it's reconstructed pioneer buildings, and Wasa Lake, one of BC's warmest lakes, are a thirty-minute drive away. Cranbrook Airport is twenty minutes away from Kimberley and has daily flights to and from Calgary and Vancouver. Cranbrook Airport is looking at expanding it's services in the near future. Already known for its supply of mineral deposits and the famous Sullivan Mine, Kimberley has now gained recognition as a tourist and recreation destination. With the imminent closure of the mining operation, emphasis will be placed on the city's tourism appeal. The availability of activities such as golfing, skiing, hiking, river-rafting and fishing, combined with spectacular scenery and fresh alpine air, make Kimberley popular year round.

Kimberley offers a variety of accommodation choices including hotels, motels, condominiums, a hostel, campgrounds, Gast Hausen and Bed and Breakfasts. A full list of places to stay is accessible through the links on this page.

Visitors to Kimberley will notice that the City has a distinct Bavarian theme. Alpine style architecture hung with flower baskets, and a Platzl, (a pedestrian-only, open-air mall), surrounded by gift shops, sidewalk cafes and restaurants, support this theme. A creek runs through the centre of the Platzl crossed by painted wooden bridges. In summer the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and culinary delights complimented by the sound Bavarian music, transport the visitor to another world. In winter the Platzl is transformed into a fairy tale sight with snow and Christmas lights giving the photographer an opportunity to create old-world Christmas card pictures.

The Platzl also hosts events such as Talent Contests, theatre productions, antique car shows and musical events.

In the summer time, if you are tired of shopping, a visit to the Hillside Gardens Restaurant provides a relaxing break to have lunch or tea. Nina and her husband Roland have built a miniature Swiss village that sits on the edge of the hillside overlooking the city. The beautiful landscaping and handbuilt architecture are a pleasure to look at while sipping coffee and sampling Roland's speciality cakes!