HAY - NEW SOUTH WALES - 2711
Population: 3,000,  
Height above sea level: 94m,  
Latitude: -34.3000
Longitude: 144.5100
Location:  730km south west of Sydney
Highway: Mid Western (24) and Sturt (20) Highways. 
Nearest Major Town: Hay
Nearest Airport: Hay
Touring Area: Riverina and The Murray
The Old Hay Gaol
Situated half-way between Sydney and Adelaide on the Sturt Highway, Hay is an ideal resting place for travellers between the capital cities. Motorists travelling from the west can also turn onto the Mid-Western Highway at Hay.
Quiet and serene, this little town on the salt-bush plains has excellent amenities for tired travellers.
Hay has a number of petrol stations including two which are open 24 hours. Seven motels, including an hotel-motel, provide a range of good quality accommodation for overnight stays. Two large caravan parks situated close to the Sturt Highway, also offer accommodation for travellers, with or without vans. Motel restaurants, pub fare, or Australian Chinese meals at one of the two clubs, are some of the choices for night-dining, whilst coffee shops. the Hay Bakery, and cafes cater for people seeking lunch.
Established originally as a Murrumbidgee River crossing for merino sheep flocks, grand buildings in Hay serve as tributes to the wool booms. In the Main (Lachlan) street, the Westpac Bank (1893), Post Office (1882) and the Lands Department (1896) have been restored and painted in original colours. Around the corner, near the Tourist Office, is the Court House (1892) with its cedar court room panelling and magnificent ceiling detail. At the end of Pine Street, the overly large railway station (1882) can be found. Painted also in heritage colours, and with a landscaped front garden, this building, in addition to the Post Office and Lands Department, is proudly flood-lit at night.
The Bishop's Lodge, which was built to house the Anglican Bishop of The Riverina in 1888, is a unique iron building with an acclaimed collection of heritage roses in its gardens. Open every Saturday from 2-4 pm tourists are shown by volunteer guides through the building. Tours during the week can also be organised through the Tourist Office.
The Hay Gaol, also run by volunteers, is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm., Full of historical memorabilia, it has served a variety of purposes since its establishment in 1878, until its closure in 1973.
Hay is an ideal stopping place for people travelling from the east to Mungo National Park. The National Park can be reached from Hay inn about 3 hours. Mungo National Park is within the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region and with its 40,000 year heritage and amazing lunettes, is a fascinating place to visit.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • The Hay Plains
  • Hay Old Gaol
  • The Murrumbidgee Irrigation System
  • Mungo National Park
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:
    Select type, then click the button below for Accommodation
    Category: 
    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Hay Visitor Information Centre
    Moppett Street. Hay NSW 2711
    Telephone: 02 6993 1003.
    The office is open from 9am. to 5pm. weekdays and 9am.to noon weekends.
    HOW TO GET THERE:
    By car along the Sturt Hwy. (20) or Mid Western Hwy
  • Light Plane
  • Coach

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    © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins