Wagga Wagga to Hay road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

The Wagga Wagga to Hay drive covers a 268km distance in a driving time of around 2h49m. The best stops to add to a Wagga Wagga to Hay road trip itinerary are the Murrumbidgee River beaches, the Koala Reserve in Narrandera and Altina Wildlife Park in Darlington Point.

The drive from Wagga Wagga to Hay connects two of the larger towns in the Riverina region of New South Wales. It’s a rural drive which tends to form part of a longer rod trip. The routes from Sydney to Uluru and Canberra to Perth pass through this way.

Wagga Wagga to Hay distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Wagga Wagga to Hay is 268km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 49 minutes.

The quickest route leaves Wagga Wagga along the Sturt Highway, which largely follows the Murrumbidgee River.

Wagga Wagga to Hay road trip attractions: Kolhagens Beach

On the way out of Wagga Wagga, you can stop at Kolhagens Beach on the Murrumbidgee. It’s not as famous as Wagga Beach, but it’s still a lovely spot for a swim in the river on a hot day.

Shortly after going through Collingullie, you’ll reach the Berry Jerry section of Murrumbidgee National Park. This is a former state forest and not really set up for visitors. There is, however, the Berry Jerry Rest Area by the side of the highway.

Wagga Wagga to Hay drive: The Koala Reserve

The next feasible stop is the Sandigo Rest Area, but this is very much grazing country, and you may as well continue towards the Koala Reserve just outside Narrandera. This is one of the best places in Australia for spotting koalas.

Other things to do in Narrandera include kayaking on the Rocky Waterholes, admiring the giant mural on the Narrandera Water Tower and taking a self-guided walking tour of the town’s heritage buildings.

The top accommodation in Narrandera, NSW

The best places to stay in Narrandera are:

For overall quality: Narrandera Club Motor Inn.
For an outdoor pool and BBQs: Bishops Lodge.
For a solid motel with low prices: Camellia Motel.

Attractions between Wagga Wagga and Hay: Narrandera to Darlington Point section

There are several more Murrumbidgee River beaches near the Sturt Highway on the next section of the journey from Narrandera to Darlington Point. Broad Beach, Lamonts Beach and Bikini Beach lead towards McCaugheys Lagoon. Horn Beach, Middle Beach and Coly Ski Beach point west towards Gogeldrie Weir.

The next stop on the Sturt Highway itself, however, is Altina Wildlife Park just outside Darlington Point. Here you can travel around in horse-drawn or motorised carts and join in the animal feeding sessions.

The Darlington Point Museum shouldn’t detain you too long, although there are some more river beaches near the town. Reserve Beach and Lady Jane Beach are nearest the town.

Darlington Point to Hay drive

On the last leg of the journey from Darlington Point to Hay, you’ll pass the Four Mile Lagoon and Yarada Rest Area.

Near Carrathool, the Toganmain Woolshed gives a glimpse of how big the wool industry was in these parts. But otherwise, there’s not much to pique the interest until you arrive in Hay.

Things to do in Hay include Shear Outback, which is devoted to the tale of Australia’s nation-forming wool industry. There’s also the Dunera Museum, which pays tribute to World War II internees, and the architecturally striking Bishop’s Lodge House.

The best accommodation in Hay includes the Big4 holiday park, the Saltbush Motor Inn and the Nicholas Royal Motel.