About HAY
Hay is a town in the western Riverina region of south western New South Wales. It is the administrative center of Hay shire Local Government Area and the center of a prosperous and productive agricultural district on the wide Hay Plains.
Located on the main route approximately midway between the large cities of Sydney and Adelaide at the junction of the Sturt, Cobb and, Mid-Western Highways. Hay is an important regional and national transport node. The township itself is built beside the Murrumbidgee River, part of the Murray-Darling river system; Australia's largest. The main business district of Hay is situated on the north bank of the river.
Hay is one of Australia's leading wool growing and sheep meat producing areas, with the area home to around 26 parent studs. Cattle are also produced for sale for slaughter and, in recent years, for sale to feedlots for fattening. In irrigated areas, crops such as lettuce, pumpkins, tomatoes, garlic, corn, rockmelons, watermelons and broccoli are grown, picked and packaged in the area. Hay is also the leading producer in the Riverina of Safflower, lettuce and broccoli.
In recent years, rice and cotton have been produced in Hay. While colder growing seasons have hindered the development of the cotton industry, rice production has expanded from over 400 hectares in 1991-92 to over 7,000 hectares in 1997-98, with production for the Hay district in 2002 estimated at 75,375 tones. A rice receival depot on the outskirts of town is capable of drying up to 32,000 tones of rice before delivery to the mill at Deniliquin.
LOCAL ATTRACTION
SHEAR OUTBACK – The Australian Shearers Hall of Fame. This is an innovative new interpretive center with interactive experiences for all ages, and you’ll meet the shearers, shed workers, sheep and dogs who work in the industry. A great experience a little different than you might expect.
HAY GOAL MUSEUM – A diverse collection of artifacts showcasing the history of Hay is displayed in the building and grounds of the old Hay Goal.
THE HAY PRISONER OF WAR AND INTERNMENT CAMP INTERPRETIVE CENTRE – Housed in two railway carriages, the museum tells the story of the camps in Hay where the ‘Dunera Boy’ and Japanese and Italian prisoners of war, were held during World War II.
BISHOP’S LODGE HISTORIC HOUSE AND HERITAGE ROSE GARDEN
Bishop’s Lodge is 1888 iron house designed by architect John Sulman and the Bishop of Riverina to combat the region’s extreme climate. The building is surrounded by a heritage garden, which contains remarkable collection of historic roses.
HAY PLAINS - Surrounded by the awesome Hay Plains, some 4,400,000 vast hectares of terrains on one of the flattest areas on earth.
MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER AT SUNSET - A walk along the Murrumbidgee River culminating in a spectacular Hay Sunset is an unforgettable experience. Hay is truly an oasis.
