Located next to the grand Murrumbidgee River in idyllic South Western NSW, the Riverina township of Hay has expanded from its modest origins in the Gold Rush era to an important agricultural and transportation nexus and popular tourist attraction. Combining natural beauty, historical heritage and crucial Australian industry, the Hay Shire incorporates both the town of Hay as well as the villages of Booligal, Maude and One Tree. The flat saltbrush plains of Hay are home to some of Australia’s leading wool growing and sheep meat producing areas, as well as cattle ranches and many agricultural outputs such as tomatoes and watermelons.

Also around Hay are the Riverine Forest, Grey Box Woodlands and Native Grasslands, home to a substantial amount of famous Australian fauna, such as Kangaroos and Wedge-tail Eagles. The plains of Hay have given ideal living conditions for human settlement going back to the Nari Nari Aboriginal community who inhabited the area. White settlement began with the founding of four squatter pastures, growing into a community funded by commerce with the stockmen and riverboats who traversed Langs Crossing.

Along with the construction of a hotel, post office and courthouse, Hay grew substantially with the famous Cobb and Co making Hay their base of operations for Victoria and the Riverina, including the largest stagecoach workshop outside of Sydney. Growing tenfold in population, Hay was later depopulated due to virtually every eligible adult male enlisting for service in World War I, of which 1/6 were did not return home. Hay’s population would later be increased after the thousands of POWs and refugees held in the area during World War II were released and later resettled in Hay. Still a rural agricultural town, Hay embraces and celebrates its history and natural beauty with a number of locations and establishments that cater to tourists and locals alike.

For short term accommodation hay, accommodation hay or holiday home hay, make sure you investigate Murrumbidgee Cottages. Both of our cottages are situated just a short distance from the picturesque Murrumbidgee river and are perfect for families. If you are looking for a holiday home for a couple of days, short term accommodation or even something longer either would be a great fit.

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