Bishop's Lodge Historic House and Heritage Garden

One of Australia’s most remarkable buildings, Bishop’s Lodge, was designed by renowned architect John Sulman and built in 1888 as the official residence for the first Anglican bishop of the Riverina, Sydney Linton. Bishop’s Lodge is constructed from iron and incorporates many innovative design features (such as sawdust insulation and raised ventilation ridges) to withstand the area’s searing summer heat and difficult soils. The lodge is surrounded by a wonderfully cool rose garden, one of the oldest in the region, planted with a spectacular collection of rare heritage varieties. As well as roses, there are historic trees, sweeping lawns and a kitchen garden, all tended by passionate volunteers. The house was the residence for Anglican bishops until the 1930s, when it became a hostel for schoolboys, and then a private residence until the 1980s. It was beautifully restored as part of Hay’s major bicentennial project in 1988. Today, the museum has a small but fascinating collection of artefacts from throughout the building’s history. Entry cost is an AUD5 donation payable with card or cash upon entry. Bishop's Lodge is now open via electronic device from the Visitor Centre. You press the button, and we will open the house for you to explore.