Come stay a while at Hay

Among the delights awaiting the urban traveller is the chance to experience the outback - that almost mythical area beyond the suburban lights - and note the sophistication of many small towns is not far from their city cousins.

One town embracing the new influx of domestic tourism is Hay.

Sited on the Murrumbidgee River and at the crossroads of the Sturt and Cobb Highways, Hay was long regarded as a place to stay for a night after driving across the apparently endless and uninteresting plains.

Not any more.

As the Hay Shire Council Economic Development Officer, Ali Mclean pointed out, Hay is now a destination not an overnight stop before moving on.

"We are really enjoying a purple patch," she said.

"COVID has delivered for regional areas and Hay has taken advantage of the trend."

Mrs McLean said the town has been deliberately targeting people from Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne who are open to the idea of getting into their cars and out on the road to explore their homeland.

"It has been great to see those people come to Hay and really discover the delights of the town for the first time," she said.

"We are also seeing a new type of visitor - not just the grey nomads who have been coming here for years and we welcome them - but young families and those active over 55's who bring their bikes and canoes or kayaks, and a bit more money."

That demographic loves the fact that Hay, even though it is sited on the plains, has such a unique landscape.

"The plains are a real attraction for us," Mrs Mclean said.

"We have this incredible location that people want to visit."

A feature which is being promoted during 2021 is what Mrs McLean called the Pink Sky Season.

"In autumn the earth tilts a bit and we have these incredible pink skies which happen every evening," she said.

"It is a kaleidoscope, a spectacular natural show which happens every evening and because we have 360 degree uninterrupted views it is an experience like no other in Australia."

Mrs McLean said the natural phenomena translated to an incredible night sky which can easily be experienced from their campsite or upmarket accommodation.

``We also have a viewing area located 16km north of Hay on the Cobb Highway in the long paddock," she said.

"Besides viewing the evening and night skies, we have found visitors are very interested in the different ways to explore the town."

There are eight free bikes in the town and a map is provided with a suggested itinerary.

"People love the fact they can hop on a bike and ride with ease because it is all so flat," Mrs McLean said.

Established tourism destinations like Shear Outback and the historic house and garden at Bishops Lodge are well known: but the Dunera Museum will soon reopen after a long period of renovation and there is the recently completed artwork on the town's water towers.

"The water towers are the latest addition to the silo art experience across the country which has been an amazing experience," Mrs McLean said.

"People really appreciate the skill and beauty of those art works.

"It has been a great collaboration for all the little towns in the bush."

The availability of high end accommodation has increased in recent years, but to really experience the bush many are finding camping under the stars has been invigorating.

"As domestic tourism is starting to mature due to strong demand, we are starting to see more people enjoy those great experiences," Mrs Mclean said.

"We are seeing people coming out from Canberra for a few days - they have a certain amount of discretionary income to spend and they like to do it with a purpose."

Lake Mungo, west of Hay has long been on the tourism map, and now associated with the homestead at the Yanga National Park near Balranald, the central location of Hay makes it an easy base for urban visitors.

The pandemic has really changed the way people are looking at the Hay Plains.

"It is not a long drive, Hay is a great town and it is nice to hear people say their stay here has been terrific," Mrs McLean said.

Of particular interest are the water towers on the edge of town upon which images have been painted remembering ex-servicemen men and women from Hay.

The image of George Cannon is on the south tower, and local grazier, Mike Cannon is very proud of the place his late father played in serving this country.

George Cannon was born on the 3 March 1919 and grew up in Booligal, the only child of William Patrick Cannon, a returned Light Horseman who served in Palestine and Isabelle Melrose.

His early education was by home tutoring at Booligal before leaving for boarding school in Sydney.

After leaving school he jackarooed in the Jerilderie district: but he was in Queensland at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Like 300 other young men from Hay, George answered the early call in 1939 and he was drafted into the 2/1st Battalion AIF, 6th Division.

His first campaign with the 2/1st Battalion, was its advance from Egypt into eastern Libya in January and February 1941: later, George was briefly captured by the enemy on Crete but luckily escaped with other members of his unit to get back to Egypt.

George also saw service in New Guinea, where he was injured during a Japanese bombing raid and from where he was repatriated to Australia after nearly five years of active service.

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