A Guide To Hay: Eat, Stay & Play
Halfway between Sydney and Adelaide, you’ll find one of the most quintessential Australian towns.
The Long Paddock, where the Murrumbidgee River cuts through sweeping ochre plains, the sunsets are cinematic, and the people have a knack for making you feel right at home, you’ll find Hay. A town that captures both the serenity of the river and the soul of the outback.
Passing through the Cobb Highway? Here’s a complete guide for your next visit.
Explore
Start your visit at Shear Outback – The Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame, a fascinating deep dive into the history, skill and spirit of the wool industry that helped build rural Australia. Meet the shearers, see live demonstrations, and step into one of the country’s most iconic cultural stories.
Then wander through town to uncover Hay’s historic precincts, from heritage buildings and murals to boutique galleries and riverside walks. The Hay Gaol Museum offers a glimpse into a layered past, while the Long Paddock Touring Route connects Hay to the broader outback network, stretching across open country that glows gold in the afternoon light.
Eat
For breakfast, The Black Sheep Coffee Shop is an essential stop, an early-opening favourite loved for great coffee and homemade muffins. Kinfolk & Co brings a touch of style to the main street with all-day breakfasts and a thoughtful mix of retail and gifts. And for a hearty lunch, Shear Outback Café serves classics with a local twist in a relaxed, family-friendly space or stop in at Two Billy Blue Buttons and Foodie Friends to shop a selection boutique homewares and fresh coffee.
Stay & UNWIND
Accommodation in Hay mirrors its dual personality, a little bit outback, a little bit indulgent. The Bidgee Motor Inn and Outback Quarters offer modern comfort and convenience, while riverside campgrounds like Sandy Point Reserve deliver unbeatable sunsets and star-studded skies and authentic farm stays Corynnia Station and The Convent BnB offer boutique experiences.
Why You’ll Love It
Hay is the place to rediscover space, to breathe deeply, listen to the river, and feel the warmth of genuine country hospitality.
More than just a stop-over; it’s a destination with heart, history and a horizon that seems to go on forever.
Plan your visit: visithay.com.au