A fly hat is a wide-brimmed hat with a fine mesh net that drops down over your face and neck, so bush flies, mozzies and midges can't get at you. If you spend any time outdoors in an Australian summer, it's the one bit of kit that ends the Great Aussie Salute for good. We're a small, farmer-run Australian business that makes fly net hats, and part proceeds from our Fly Net Hat sales go to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Why a fly hat beats swatting
You can't win by swatting. Wave a fly off your eye and it's back on your lip before your hand's down. Do that a few hundred times on a walk or a day in the paddock and you're worn out and cranky, and you've stopped noticing anything except flies.
A net doesn't wear off, doesn't sweat off and doesn't need reapplying every couple of hours. It just sits there between you and them.
Why Australian flies feel worse than anywhere else
Our bush fly (Musca vetustissima) is built for this country. It breeds in dung, loves the heat, multiplies quickly and doesn't have many natural enemies. It's after the moisture on you, which is why it goes straight for your eyes, nose, mouth and the sweat on the back of your neck.
Fly season generally runs from about September to April and is at its worst over December to February, especially around stock, in farming country, through the outback and across the north.
The best fly net for hiking and outback trips
For walking, you want a light, fine mesh net on a wide brim that seals at the neck and doesn't touch your face. A longer net is worth it if you bend over a lot, because it keeps the back of your collar covered.
Dark mesh is easier to see through than light mesh (there's research on this), and the net shouldn't land on your mouth every time you breathe in. If you're shopping for the trail, our guide to hiking hats in Australia goes into more detail.
Why most fly nets let you down
We've been farming and working stock across South Australia, the Territory, WA and Queensland for a long time, and we've worn plenty of nets that didn't do the job. They usually fail for the same few reasons:
- The netting is too coarse or flimsy, so the little ones get through.
- The tie at the bottom works loose and flies crawl up from underneath.
- The brim is too small, so the net collapses onto your face.
- There's no airflow and you cook.
- It was made as a souvenir, not for a full day's work.
Throwing a loose net over whatever hat you've got rarely works either. A net sized for a cap rides up and gaps around a wide-brimmed felt hat, which leaves exactly the holes the flies are looking for.
How to choose a fly net that actually works
It comes down to five things: the brim, the mesh, the fit, the airflow and whether it'll stand up to real use.
- A wide brim holds the net away from your face. Out here your fly hat is your sun hat too, so the brim matters twice.
- Fine, dark mesh stops midges and sandflies as well as bush flies, and you can still see where you're going.
- A secure closure, elastic or drawcord, so nothing crawls in from below.
- Airflow through breathable netting and mesh panels, so you don't feel smothered.
- A net that tucks away. Flies come and go through the day, so you want it down in seconds and out of the way just as fast.
Can I wear a fly net over any hat?
Most open-top nets will go over a wide-brimmed hat, but check the brim first. If it's narrow, the mesh will sit against your face. Measure around the brim, not around your head, because that's the number that decides whether a net sits properly.
Separate net or fly net hat?
A separate net is cheap and goes over a hat you already own, but it bunches, gaps at the brim and has a habit of going missing. With a fly net hat the net is sewn into the brim, so it sits off your face, seals properly and tucks away when the flies ease off. If you're outside all day, the sewn-in net is far more comfortable. There's more on the differences in our fly net hat guide, or you can go straight to the fly net hats.
Who gets the most out of one
- Grey nomads and caravanners heading through the centre and the outback
- Farmers drafting sheep, mustering, fencing or doing station work
- FIFO and other outdoor workers
- Gardeners, bushwalkers, campers and anyone fishing
- Visitors to Uluru, the Kimberley, the Flinders Ranges and the Red Centre
- Anyone after a useful Australian gift with a story behind it
A real sheep yard test
One of our farmer customers wore a Dreamtimez fly net hat for a whole day drafting sheep in the yards. That's the kind of day where the flies normally have you miserable by smoko. Here's what he told us:
"Hands down the best fly net hat I've ever worn. There were hundreds of flies out there — but not one on me. Best day I've ever had in the sheep yards."
Where to buy fly net hats in Australia
We sell our fly net hats online and post Australia-wide, including to farms, stations, caravan parks and other remote addresses. Express post is there if you need one before a trip.
If you'd like to try one on first, you'll find them at some tourism stockists in the worst fly country going, including at Uluru through Ayers Rock Resort.
Buying one as a present? Every hat comes with a card about the artist and the artwork. One size fits most adults, with an adjustable cord, so you don't have to guess anyone's head size.
What goes into a Dreamtimez fly net hat
We're a small, farmer-run business, and we designed these hats for people who live and work outside. Each one has:
- a fly net sewn into the brim, so there's nothing to attach or lose
- a wide UPF50+ brim
- one size fits most, with an adjustable head cord and chin strap
- mesh side panels for airflow and a hidden pocket for small bits
- no sprays, creams or chemicals
- artwork licensed from a named Aboriginal artist (meet our artists)
Our artists earn ongoing royalties on every hat we sell, not a one-off fee. We're members of the Indigenous Art Code, and part proceeds from every hat go to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Looking for an Aboriginal hat in particular? We've got styles with a woven Indigenous band or an interchangeable art scarf.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fly hat and do I really need one?
A fly hat is a wide-brimmed hat with a fine mesh net that comes down over your face and neck to keep flies, mozzies and midges off. If you're heading through the outback, camping near water, working on the land or walking in the bush in the warmer months, you'll wonder how you managed without one.
What is the best fly net hat in Australia?
Look for a net sewn into a wide brim, fine dark mesh you can see through, sun protection, and a closure that stays snug at the neck. Our fly net hats are built that way and carry licensed Aboriginal artwork, with royalties going to the artist and part proceeds to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Does a fly net hat actually work?
Yes. The net physically stops flies and mozzies getting to your face and neck, with no sprays or chemicals. Repellent sweats off; a net doesn't.
How do I choose the right mesh for a fly net?
Finer mesh stops the small biters like midges and sandflies; slightly coarser mesh breathes a bit better. For most trips, fine mesh is the safer bet. Dark mesh is easier to see through, and a wide brim stops it collapsing onto your skin.
Are there fly net hats that don't look like beekeeping gear?
Yes. Ours carry licensed Aboriginal artwork, so they look good around camp or at an outdoor event, and they make a great present for grey nomads and campers.
When is fly season in Australia?
Roughly September to April, at its worst from December to February, and hardest going around stock, in farming and outback country and up north.
Where can I buy a fly net hat in Australia?
Online from us, posted Australia-wide including to remote and regional addresses, and from some tourism stockists, including at Uluru through Ayers Rock Resort.