If you like wide open spaces and endless skies, you’ll want to visit the little-known outback town of Hay. Located along the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in the quaint Riverina region of NSW, you’ll need to drive via the Hay Plains to get there. There’s nothing here at all and it’s wonderful. According to Visit NSW, this vast, featureless part of the country is the flattest place in the Southern Hemisphere and the third flattest place on earth, with a mere 17-metre difference between the lowest and highest points on the plains. Driving along the highway, this is not hard to believe with miles and miles of endlessness on the horizon. This makes it an ideal spot to see the sunrise and sunset and for stargazing when the sun goes down, with uninterrupted 360-degree views.
Hay, NSW
Nestled between Wagga Wagga in NSW and Mildura in Victoria, Hay has always been a popular stopover town for travellers but it has more to it than meets the eye. The town is full of historic buildings, museums, simple motels and country pubs, walking trails and the Shear Outback, a must-visit part of Outback NSW, that showcases all things shearing.
Don’t forget to visit the Dunera Prisoner of War Museum which houses a piece of Australia’s World War II history in the form of exhibits, photographs and stories about the experiences of internees, Prisoners of War and the residents of Hay. Plus, take a walk along the main street in the town to see sculptures and old buildings then make a beeline towards the Hay Gaol Museum which offers an insight into the town’s history. You can also meander along the Riverside walking trail and take in the unique beauty of the place.
If you’re visiting to see the Hay Plains alone, there’s a dedicated Sunset Viewing Area 16 kilometres north of Hay on the Cobb Highway where you can see the sun setting over the plains without any traffic, buildings or people to contend with. Learn more about the Hay Plains here.
How to get there
Hay is around a 7-hour drive from Sydney and Adelaide, 5.5 hours from Canberra and 5 hours from Melbourne. It’s a peaceful drive out but if you’re short on time, you can opt to fly into Griffith City Airport and then drive for another 90 minutes to Hay. Read more about Hay here.