Day 349... magic cave

Anyone who has lived in Adelaide during Christmas time knows of the Magic Cave... a place of magic, the home to Nipper and Nimble, an insight into the world of the North Pole and a place to visit Father Christmas.

Some history on the Magic Cave....
Confirmation of Santa’s permanent home, in a snow-bound country, was given by the timely poem, ‘A visit of Saint Nicholas’ by Professor Clement C Moore. Cartoon artist, Thomas Nast, influenced by his German heritage, supported the image of a snow-bound home far out of reach of small children

A holiday home in the Southern Hemisphere for Father Christmas opened on the 14 November 1896. Mysteriously, each year, Father Christmas arrived in Adelaide and took up residence in the Magic Cave; meeting and talking with the children until Christmas Eve. The Magic Cave is believed to be a world first and an original idea of Mr E.W. Hayward. After his death in 1903, his youngest son, Mr Edwyn Walton Hayward developed the artful Magic Cave into a city playground for boys and girls. One hundred and fourteen years later families continue the tradition of visiting the Magic Cave. The brilliant example of the community minded Christmas charity captured the spontaneous fun and gaiety of a community at play, making glad the hearts of small children.

Today, David Jones (Australia) owns the Magic Cave copyright to become the David Jones Magic Cave which remains on the original site since its inception in 1896