What makes the Avenel Billabong Western Hat a true Australian favourite?

The Avenel Billabong Hat is a premium wool-felt headpiece blending timeless style with real sun protection. The dimensions deliver a well-balanced hat: tall enough in crown to look classic, wide enough in brim to offer solid coverage. The SPF 50+ rating gives you serious UV defence—great for harsh sun conditions. Crafted with care from quality materials, it’s a standout accessory for any season.

Avenel sources Australian wool felt for their Billabong Hat, a fibre that is resilient and naturally water-repellent. The felting process involves matting and pressing wool fibres together with the application of heat and moisture until a strong felt emerges. Craftspeople then mould that felt over hat blocks to create the crown shape and brim profile. The edge is them trimmed, and the sweatband and miniature western belt hat band are fitted. The end result is a robust, softly textured hat that holds shape, yet offers comfort and durability.

✔ Fabric: Australian Wool

✔ Crown Height: 11cm

✔ Brim Width: 11.5cm

✔ SPF 50+

✔ See all the Billabong wool felt options here

What can I wear with my Billabong Hat?

Pair with casual jackets, denim shirts or chambray, and a leather belt or boots for country western style.

For smarter looks, wear with a smart jacket and moleskin trousers or chinos - this hat bridges smart and country nicely.

Let the brim cast natural shade; avoid pairing with large collars that compete for visual space.

Stick to neutral colours (black, grey, tan) so the hat complements your outfit rather than dominating it.

Where can I wear my Billabong Hat?

Rural drives, outback visits, or cattle station days—anywhere the sun is out!

Urban settings when you want to lean into heritage / western style.

Events such as country fairs, rodeos, rural weddings.

Travel in sun-intense climates - outback, beaches, national parks.

FAQs

How do I work out what size I need for my Avenel Billabong Hat?

The Avenel Billabong Hat has a synthetic sweat band that looks and feels like leather, but is not subject to the shrinking feature that traditional leather sweat bands have, which are found in most fur felt hats. To establish your size as per your head measurement, measure the circumference around your head - approximately 12mm (1/2") above your ears. Keep the dressmaker tape level and firm, and keep it across your temple and above your eyebrow ridges. For in-between measurements, select the next size up. For example, if your head measurement is 58.2cm, you would choose a size 59 hat. You want a close fit, but not so firm that the band leaves a mark on your forehead when you have worn your hat for a period of time. If you're trying your hat on instore, and you have a choice of a size that is a bit too firm, but the next size is a bit too loose, we recommend selecting the larger size, and popping some hat fillers behind the inner band to create the perfect fit.
If you order your hat online and you find it is too firm fitting, do not expect it to 'loosen up'. It will not. Contact our friendly mailroom staff for assistance.

Can I wear it in the rain?

Yes - the wool felt is naturally water repellent. If it gets wet, the important thing is to let it air dry naturally to avoid shrinkage. So, avoid heaters or direct sun for drying.

How do I care for my Billabong hat?

Use a soft bristle brush to keep it clean. Renew the water repellent quality of your hat with a rain and stain protector spray. To protect its shape, store it on a hat stand, on a shelf upside down (on it's crown), or in a hat box.
When it comes to travelling in your car, treat your hat like your loyal old dog. Strap it in - with a Hat Saver, not a harness - and don't leave it shut up in the car. Your hat won't like being left in the heat any more than your dog. The heat can cause the inner leather band to shrink way more than it would otherwise, and then you'll need to buy a hat stretcher!