Jenolan Caves

Chifley Cave

Useful Information

photography — Architects Studio, Chifley Cave, Jenolan Caves, Australia. Public Domain.

Location:	4655 Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan Caves NSW 2790. 182 km west of Sydney. (-33.8190019, 150.0236179)
Open:	See mandatory online booking. [2023]
Fee:	Adults AUD 46, Children (4-15) AUD 33, Children (0-3) free, Family (2+3) AUD 141. [2023]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	LED Coloured Light
Dimension:	L=20,000 m, VR=200 m, A=790 m asl, T=16 °C.
Guided tours:	D=60 min, L=690 m, St=421.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Jenolan Caves, 4655 Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan Caves NSW 2790, Tel: +61-2-6359-3911, Tel: 1300-76-33-11. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1880	discovered by Jeremiah Wilson and named Left Imperial Cave.
1880	opened to the public.
1923	tunnel cut to Grand Archway.
1952	renamed Chifley Cave.
2004	new light systems with energy-saving lamps.

Description

Chifley Cave was discovered by Jeremiah Wilson, the first keeper of the caves. It was first named Left Imperial Cave and was renamed Chifley in the mid-20th century, as a tribute to the memory of the Rt. Hon. J. Ben Chifley MP, Prime Minister of Australia and local member for the electoral district until 1949.

Chifley Cave is said to have been the first cave in the world to be lit with electric light. Early experiments with electric light in caves were carried out by Lieutenant Edward Cracknel in this cave in 1880. However, this light was not permanent. Jenolan caves were electrified seven years later, but not Chifley Cave.

This is one of the shorter tours at Jenolan, a one-way tour with two locations with coloured light. We guess that’s the reason why it is recommended for families with children. The first chamber of the cave was named Margarita Chamber after the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Cracknell. The next is Madonna Cave, the branch where Jeremiah Wilson entered the cave the first time in 1880. It is named after a stalagmite in the centre resembling Madonna with Child. We continue to Lucinda Cave which Jeremiah Wilson discovered the next xear, 1881, and named it after his wife Lucinda because of its beauty. Katies Bower was the turnaround point of this tour until the exit tunnel was built in 1923. It was discovered by Katie Webb, a young girl who was lowered on a rope and discovered this branch. At the end the cave is left through the tunnel into the Grand Arch.