chifley home

a wonderful look into Australia's history and the way we lived long ago. Ben Chifley may have been the leader of our country but he lived a very simple life in Bathurst NSW, wonderful how the home has been preserved as it was a must see

Ben Chifley's small and unpretentious family home remains preserved in time. It's pristine, untouched condition is a credit to its safe-keepers and that makes for an enjoyable visit as you step back through the decades and visit Ben and Elizabeth at home.Those with even a skerrick of interest in Australian history will find this immensely interesting. It truly is a genuine slice from our past as all the furniture, fittings and appliances are from Chifley's time and were actually used by the Chifleys.If you're in Bathurst, this visit and tour is well worth the hour or so of your time. The house is located within a 5 min drive of the Bathurst CBD and there's easy parking in the street.

The house is in original condition and the tour is very informative showing a very simple lifestyle of Ben Chifley and his wife who lived in the home from 1914. As the rooms are not roped off in any way you cannot view on your own you must participate in a tour. We were the only couple undertaking the tour and understood that they rarely had large numbers so a very individual experience can be had.

Went to the Chifley Home and found it quite interesting but had a sense that something was being held back. Found out afterwards that Ben Chifley had a long standing mistress who was with him when he died but whoops we just didn't mention that in an hour long tour!

A visit to this cottage is definitely worth doing. The humbleness of the cottage is quite touching. How times have changed!

This is a place that visitors interested in political history would find very interesting. The house is well kept and the guides were very informative.

I am so glad we made the time to do the 12 Noon tour of our former PM's house. Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and I was thankful, yet again, for people's goodwill to volunteer their time so we can come to understand some of our country's history. The video is very informative and hints at a fuller picture than the house itself and so should not be missed.Elizabeth was portrayed as the driving force behind the house and the fact that they never moved. It is absolutely tiny by today's standards and gives an insight into the pragmatism and simplicity of life that had everything it needed in friends and family close by - especially as Chifley was away so often. It will perhaps either seem ridiculous that someone lived in such a small house when more was available due to her husband's high office, or it will be a challenge to reassess our need for such enormous houses and things to fill them. For me it was a combination of both.

Thank you so much for the enthralling visit to Chifley Home in January. To see where the Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his family lived, even during his administration, was amazing.I am only sorry it was so short and we promise to return for another visit in 2015!

On a recent trip to Bathurst we took the opportunity to visit Ben Chifleys house. We had pre- arranged a guided tour and found this to be the best way to fully appreciate the history behind the home and the Chifley family. We started with a video presentation and then walked through each room assisted by the guide who shared special stories and provided little tid bits of information. Eventhough it is a small site I would still recommend you set aside a couple of hours just so you can see and appreciate all the items contained within.

This modest home is not far from where I grew up as a child, I recall an occasion when a Prime Minister came to town to visit the once home of Ben Chifley. It is wonderful to see the home turned into a monument to treasure as but a very tiny part of Australia's history and particularly in recognising the modest and humbling upbringing and background one of our early Prime Ministers came from. A must see when visiting Bathurst in the central west of NSW. I am also proud to say that my Great Great Grandfather worked on the railways with Ben Chifley.

I won't take another 20 years to visit. The guides were extremely helpful and informative. The home is well preserved and is a testament to one of our most beloved Prime Ministers.

There are few places in Australia where the discerning traveller can catch a glimpse of history not so far removed from distant memory, and there are even fewer historic houses where all the contained objects (including personal effects of the Chifleys) on display are totally and authentically related to the precinct. The surprising revelation about a visit to the home of much loved Australian Prime Minister, Ben Chifley is how few Australians even get the chance to visit this significant heritage location - just over 1,000 visitors per annum! The home is only open three days a week, the weekend plus Monday for two tours per day, scheduled at 10 am and 12 noon. Therefore some pre-planning is recommended particularly as the precinct inspection can be built into a self-drive heritage tour of Btahurst, details of which are available form the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre.Thoroughly recommended, also for international visitors keen to gain an understanding not only of the life-style of a significant Australian political leader (one totally versed in the traditions and values of the Australian labor movement), but also to gain a glimpse of domestic life and an accurate portrayal of the contents of a modest home in Australia in the post-second world war period through to the 1950s.Bathurst Regional Council is to be commended for the foresight in acquiring and maintaining this unique attraction. Further information can be obtained from www.chifleyhome.org.auThe one hour guided tour is reasonably priced at $10 for adults ($8 for seniors and other concessions), $6 for a child or $26 for a family. Groups by appointment can be arranged by phoning 02 6332 1444

A step back in time with everything left, just as it was when Elizabeth and Ben Chifley lived there,next door house is a gallery of wonderful old photos as well.

Amazing to see the humble abode of the holder of highest office in the country. Learn about what sort of man Chiff was.The new interpretative centre adds an extra dimension to the house museum.

Ben Chifely lived here with his wife Elizabeth from 1941 to 1951. The home gives an interesting insight into Ben Chifleys background, values and achievements. The house and its contents are pretty much a 1940s-50s time capsule. All the objects in Chifleys home are original e.g. owned and used by them. The Bathurst council has purchased the conjoined house and turned this part into an education centre with DVD on Chifley, a few rooms of memorabilia, and photographs from his years as PM.You need to time your visit for the tours which are scheduled at 10am and 2pm Saturday -Monday. If you arrive outside these hours you are not able to view the actual Chifley home, as it is kept locked.The tour takes about 1-1.5 hours all up, and was run by a very informed guide.Wheelchair access to the original home would be possible but quite tricky as there is limited circulation space.I would recommend the tour, but if the times don't fit, it is still worth dropping out there. On the vacant block adjacent to the home is a zig zag wheelchair accessible path with information boards detailing the history of Ben Chifely and the home. (Accessible 24/7)Further information can be found at: http://www.chifleyhome.org.au/home/welcome