Reflection 2024 |Rainbow on the Plains Festival - Hay, N.S.W.

** Nomads email addresses have changed to the format LeaderFredN@nomads.org.au, and may go into your Junk Folder as a result. See Some Recommendations about Nomads Emails to prevent that **

UPDATED ACCOMMODATION info below.

Reflection 2024 | Rainbow on the Plains Festival, Hay Mardi Gras, Hay N.S.W. This has been an annual event since 2018 and started by the local LGBTQIA community. It has Friday and Saturday evening entertainment at the Hay Services Club, a Mardi Gras street parade and Fair Day on Saturday. Also there is Drag Bingo on Thursday night in South Hay and we will do some short walks. Think of this as a mini "Chillout".

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, flat walking through the town's streets, up to 1.1 km - 1.5 km to/from each venue from motels. Up to 2.6 km for bush campers. Sunday morning walk 6 km.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Spend a weekend in Hay and support the local LBGTQIA community. 

• Friday - check in to your accommodation/set up camp, then dinner at a hotel bistro followed by a walk of about 1 km to the Hay Services Club for the Rainbow on the Greens event (6pm to 9pm). Afterwards, walk back to your accommodation for the night.
• Saturday morning we will visit the Hay Gaol Museum, built in 1878 (Open 9am to 5pm) then watch the Mardi Gras street parade (12pm to 12:30pm). Lunch at a venue then walk to the Engie Fair Day event, at Hay Park, for the afternoon (12:30pm to 4pm), optional visit to the Dunera Museum at Hay Railway Station during the afternoon (open 10am to 4pm). Dinner at a local venue then walk to the Hay Services Club for the After Party (from 6:30pm to Late).
• Sunday Morning Walk: by 10am, we will walk along the main shopping area of Hay to the Bidgee Riverside walk and along the Murrumbidgee River, walk through the Hay Sandy Point campground, then make our way to view the Hay Water Tower Art. We will then have lunch and leave Hay by 1:30pm for the drive home. For anyone interested, there is the Pride Cup (AFL) from 12pm to 3pm. Optional visit to Shear Outback, South Hay (9am to 3pm).

BOOKING: ASAP for your motel accommodation, cabins, Showgrounds or Hay Services Club Camping. Bush camping has no bookings.

• Rainbow on the Greens tickets $30.00 and After Party $45.00 - available until sold out (from Reflection 2024 website) AND
• Nomads Registration by Wednesday 13th November. To register with The Nomads, click on Get Tickets.

Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

NON MEMBERS: Not a Nomads member? Purchase a temporary one-month membership before getting your Nomads ticket (cost $8).

FURTHER INFORMATION: Reflection 2024 | Rainbow on the Plains | Hay Mardi Gras | Hay : NSW TrainLink : Hay Gaol Museum :  Dunera Museum : shearoutback :  Visit Hay :

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Hay, N.S.W. From 4pm Friday, The Saltbush Motor Inn / Commercial Hotel/Motel will be used for meeting up to attend all activities - Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning only. This motel is central to all activites by easy walking or as localy arranged. 

MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X915 grid F7 | Google map https://maps.app.goo.gl/duNjK5YXV3pjfvjs8

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 420 km, approximately 4 hours 50 minutes drive, plus any stops, via Kilmore and Echuca. (M31 and B75). Note: Driving across the Hay Plains can be dangerous at Dusk and Dawn with large numbers of Kangaroos/Wallabies crossing the road. For train/coach see Public Transport.

ACCOMMODATION: Free Bush Camping; Caravan Parks - tents, caravans & cabins, Hotels (pubs) - the Commercial Hotel/Motel (Sold Out) is next door to the Saltbush Motor Inn (Sold Out) and several other motels nearby. (Leader is staying at the Saltbush Motor Inn). Two bedroom motel rooms and cabins and other room types are available to share.

There is camping at the Hay Services Club (pet friendly), has shower but no power. Phone (02) 6993 1206 for information. The Hay Showgrounds (1km) $20 per night with water, power and no power sites and showers. If you like to pre book at the showgrounds, call Kevin on 0408353806 (caretaker).

Note: Accommodation in central Hay is almost sold out with only a few rooms available. In South Hay, the Comfort Inn Bishops Lodge is sold out with at least 4 rooms at the Outbact Quarters Hay Motel still available, plus 2 caravan parks. If you are planning on going, you need to book your accommodation NOW. Best camping option is at the Hay Showgrounds.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Thursday or Friday - Train to Cootamundra then Coach to Hay. About 900km/11 hours. Full: Ecomony $89.54 and First $116.20 Each Way. Concession/Seniors Card: Ecomony $62.25 (possible for $7.80! - ask me how) and First $80.70 Each Way. Dep Southern Cross at 08:30, Arr Hay (Hay Coach Stop, South Hay) at 19:18. Note: If the train is late leaving Melbourne or is delayed enroute, you could miss your Coach Connection in Cootamundra, there is only 17 minutes layover (Alternative connections at Wagga/Griffith). The return trip Departs Hay (Hay Coach Stop, South Hay) at 07:25, Arr Southern Cross 18:30. (Sunday or Monday). Car pooling can be arranged.

COSTS:  

• ACCOMMODATION: Varies from Free Bush Camping at the Hay Sandy Point Capmpground on the Murrumbigee River with free BBQ and toilets (No Camp Fires) and $2.00 Showers at the Visitors Centre (1.5 km) to over $200.00 for a 2 bedroom apartment/cabin per night - shareing as low as $19.00 per person per night. Also camping at the Hay Services Club and the Hay Showgrounds for $20 per night. If you are not camping and wish to share a cabin, hotel or motel room with someone, let me know the type of room you would like and with how many others you want to share with. This should work out from $19.00 to $80.00 per person, per night. There is also the Hay Caravan Park, South Hay - camping $15 & $39 (Power), Cabins: $49. $90, $110 & $130 - sleeps 7 = $19.00 per person. Rates are per night. The Big 4 Caravan Park is also nearby.
• Train/Coach: Full Fare Return Travel - Ecy $179.28; First $232.40. Concession/Seniors Card - Ecy $124.50  First $161.40 Note: For Concession/Seniors it is possible to travel for $15.60 Ecy Return.
• Car Pooling: 2 persons $147.00, 3 persons $98.00, 4 persons $73.50 These amounts are based on a return trip of 840km @ ,35 cents per km, per person, including driver.
• Rainbow on the Greens event $30.00, At the Door $40.00 After Party $45.00, At the Door $50.00 (Note: At the Door tickets - If still available).
• Hay Gaol: $4.00.
• Dunera Museum: $5.00
• Shear Outback: Full $20.00, Concession $15.00.
• NON MEMBERS: Not a Nomads member? Purchase a temporary one-month membership before getting your Nomad ticket (cost $8).

FOOD: Meals will be at local venues. With the large number of people in town, getting a table may be difficult. Events also have limited food. 

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, Shady hat and dress according to the weather forecast. Hay daytime tempatures should be around 30C.

LEADER: Paul K. | Email LeaderPaulK@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

Image: Reflection 2024

 

HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS