Hay Gaol New South Wales
Built in the late 1870s and officially opened in 1880, Hay Gaol has served as a prison, maternity hospital, Prisoner of War detention centre, institute for girls and now as a museum.
Getting There
Located in Church Street Hay, the gaol is easy to find and there is plenty of on-street parking available. During our visit (September 2025), entry was $5.00 per person.
What to Expect
The museum houses many artefacts from the Hay region, including Australia’s oldest-known bark canoe. The old cell block is available to walk through with many of the cells containing exhibits of these artifacts.
Held in sheds behind the gaol but still on the museum’s grounds, is a a large collection of farm and plant machinery, wooden windmills, cars, and clothing and handwork from the 1880s.
Other Places to Visit in New South Wales
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, click here.
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