About Hay Shire

The Hay Shire covers an area of 11,348km(sq) with a regional population of 3574 people (as at December 2008). Located on the vast open and virtually treeless Hay Plains, the main regional centre of Hay is situated at the intersection of the Sturt, Mid-Western and Cobb Highways. The other main towns in the Shire are Maude and Booligal, made famous by the Banjo Patterson poem Hay, Hell and Booligal.

The Hay Shire is noted for its friendly residents who welcome visitors to their region. The range of facilities and infrastructure for visitors caters to a wide range of interests and are certainly worth a visit.

For more information on the region see the Visit Hay section of the website.
Aboriginal Heritage
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Aboriginal Heritage
The Nari Nari Tribe are the local Aboriginal tribe believed by historians to be an amalgamation of tribes from the surrounding areas, possibly including the fierce Waradjuri from the east...
About Hay Shire
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About Hay Shire
The Hay Shire has the distinction of being one of the flattest sections of land in the world with a difference in elevation of only 17 metres between the highest and lowest points.
Agriculture
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Agriculture
Hay is at the centre of what is generally regarded as one of the best wool growing merino regions in Australia with some 26 studs found on the Riverine Plains. The region is also virtually...
Climate
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Climate
The climate of Hay is considered temperate. Spring and autumn are delightful times with the deciduous trees colouring beautifully in the autumn and the plains covered with wildflowers in the spring.
History & Heritage
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History & Heritage
Before white settlement began in the 1840’s, the Nari Nari Aborigines inhabited the area where Hay now stands. The township of Hay was named after Sir John Hay, a local...
Maps
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Maps
Useful copies of local, regional and tourism maps are available to view and print in this section
Wildlife
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Wildlife
There are substantial native mammal, reptile and bird populations found within the Hay Shire...
Native Vegetation
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Native Vegetation
Within the Shire there are extensive areas of environmentally sensitive lands, mainly in the riparian zones adjacent to the rivers where the flora and fauna is under preservation orders...