Murrumbidgee River near Hay

Hay NSW 2711 (Pop 2 817)
Pic: Murrumbidgee River

Hay is a Riverina town located 728 km west of Sydney on the Murrumbidgee River at the junction of the Sturt, Cobb & Mid Western Hwys and surrounded by flat treeless country. Original inhabitants were the Ngiyambaa Aborigines and squatters and settlers began arriving in 1820s. The town was named after local parliamentarian, John Hay. Between 1940-46, three POW & internment camps were established housing European Jews, Italians and Japanese  Ironically after the war, Italian migrants arrived and established market gardens. During 1950s an irrigation scheme was built and helped establish Hay’s thriving rice, feed crops and market gardens. Hay is also home to a number of famous local merino stud farms. Hang Gliding Championships (Jan), Hay Show (Sept) Surf Carnvial (Jan), Sheep Show (June), Rodeo (Oct), Hay Races (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
POW & Internment Camp Interpretive Centre, Murray St housed in two railway carriages. The centre documents its incredible history from 1940-46. Open (9am-5pm) weekdays. Hay Gaol Museum, Church St built (1879) as a gaol, it then became a maternity hospital, lock hospital for the insane, POW compound and girls'detention centre. Open (9am-5pm) daily. Shear Outback, Bishop's Lodge, Sturt Hwy (1888) Residence for the area’s first Anglican bishop built of corrugated iron and timber with sawdust for insulation. Open (10am-12.30pm) summer and (2pm-4.30pm) winter. Murrumbidgee River excellent swimming, canoeing, waterskiing and fishing (license required). 

Nearby:
Sturt's Marked Tree, Mid Western Hwy (4 km east) a box tree famous for the markings carved (1829) by explorer, Charles Sturt. Hay Wetlands Nature Reserve (n-w of town) home and breeding ground to over 60 species of waterbirds, best seen either at dawn or dusk, especially in springtime when the birds nest. One Tree Hotel (38 km north) (1862-1914)  run as a staging post by Cobb & Co. The hotel license lapsed in 1940s and today is derelict, but still interesting. One Tree was proclaimed a village in 1885 but never grew and today the hotel stands alone. Booligal (78 km north) sits in an area known as ‘the devils’s claypan’ which is described by tourists as hot, dusty, full of rabbits, mosquitoes and snakes, but still friendly and laid-back.

Accommodation:
Hay has 6 motels, 6 hotels, two B&Bs, 4 farmstays and 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 407 Moppett St. Tel (02) 6993 4045. 

Airport:
Hay Airport (HXX) Cobb Hwy.

Hospital:
Hay District Hospital, 351 Murray St. Tel (02) 6990 8700/(02) 6993 1400.