hay gaol museum

A diverse collection of artefacts showcasing the history of Hay is displayed in the buildings and ground of the old Hay Gaol. A small entry fee is more like a donation then a fee. Run by volunteers, this coud be a great attraction if they asked more for admission

Really worth a visit cool and shady so much to see leave your self a couple of hours the history is well documented and the cells are intro and

On the hot January day we were here we did not see another soul - tourist or official. We put the small requested amount in the honesty box and went in. We were already aware of part of the gaol's history as a girls juvenile detention centre as one of the harshest and saddest episodes of Australian history so it was interesting but sad to see it in real life. The solitary confinement cell is grim indeed.Next door in the empty paddock behind is an open shed with old farm equipment which we poked around in, saw no one else here either. An ancient and enormous dray belonging to my great grandfather was sitting amongst the other things - apparently working out of the town making roads by hand he had slept underneath it at night - an remnant of a way of life long gone...

The gaol museum seems in need of some TLC. Each cell contains collected ephemera from Hays' past. It is a good collection of 'stuff' with a few sad stories woven in. Worth a visit only if you are a history buff.

Very interesting history lesson of Hay with each cell having a different theme and a large display outside the walls. There has been a lot of thought put into the set-up with the complex having a very mixed life apart from a gaol.

We liked the old historical items used years ago. The cells are partitioned off in some cells. The cells have give a story of the times when prisoners were accommodated there.

Very interested in the place and were fortunate to get a lot of information from the caretaker about the place and its history. A must place to visit.

The gaol was interesting and had many things to read about and look it regarding its history, but many sections were not accessible. I am unsure if it was because there were no displays, or the areas were used for other things but they could say why these areas aren't open. Worth the few dollars honesty entrance fee.

This place was recommended to us as we only had time to see one attraction before we headed east. This old gaol has had many diverse uses over its time and the contrast of these uses amazed us both on the history that a small town like this can hold. (We must do more)

Hay Gaol Museum is two distinct things. 1) the old women's gaol buildings and a bit of history around some of the prisoners and their routine 2) a collection of lots of old stuff - old farm equipment, bottles, typewriters, radiograms, medical equipment etc etc. The gaol side of it is interesting, the old stuff is just piled up inside the cells (which you cannot enter). Worth a look for the gaol side, allow an hour. Its only a few bucks entry. There is no one on site - it uses an honesty box system. So no facilities etc.

If your interested in history then you would enjoy a visit to the Hay Gaol, it has been used for a number of different things over its history. There is an honesty box for the entry fee, and it is a self guided tour, some interesting displays in the cells, lacks a physical presence of people to talk to and ask questions off.

As with the Dunera Boys museum, could do with a bit of a spruce up.Interesting history but with a dark side which we and most would not know about when used as a girls detention centre. Self guiding walk with some interesting exhibits from the past.

Great for historians, honesty box payment no real people to talk to just recordings. Grounds in need of a little TLC.

Entry requires a payment on the honour system. Very interesting display which are in the cells of the old prision.

Self guided tour, plenty of information written up to be read at ones own leisure. Very beautiful gardens...