Cobar
Town
Population 4127
Cobar got its name from the Aboriginal word 'kubbur', meaning 'burnt earth'. The story goes that three European settlers were camping at Kubbur watering hole near where Cobar is today when they noticed the unusual colour of the water. They took samples and showed them to the publicans at the Gilgunnia Pub who identified them as copper ore. From this discovery, the Cobar mining industry was born. The mines made Cobar so prosperous that at one point the town had a population of 10 000 and its own stock exchange. Mines still operate, including the CSA Copper Mine which is the deepest in Australia. Today Cobar is a surprisingly green and picturesque outback town.
Visitor Information
Great Cobar Heritage Centre, Barrier Hwy; (02) 6836 2448
Nearby national parks
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Willandra National Park
Scrubby red sand plains stretch to the horizon in Willandra National Park, in the state’s remote west. In its heyday Willandra was one...more
Nearby towns
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Nyngan
Nyngan is a pleasant country town on the Bogan River, on the edge of the outback. It was largely unknown to the rest of the country until...more -
Bourke
The saying 'back o' Bourke' has come to mean the middle of nowhere, which is why Bourke is known as the gateway to the real outback....more -
Brewarrina
This charming outback town on the banks of the Barwon River is affectionately known as Bre. It was developed in the 1860s as a river...more
In Town
Great Cobar Outback Heritage Centre This centre has displays on the local mining of copper, gold and silver-lead-zinc, an authentic re-creation of a local woolshed and displays on Aboriginal culture. Learn about the chronic water shortages in the early days of European settlement and the bush skills the settlers needed to survive the harsh environment. The Centenary of Federation Walking Track begins here and is a 2 hr scenic walk past mines and a slag dump. Barrier Hwy; (02) 6836 2448.Commonwealth Meteorological Station: visitors can view the radar tracking process and the launching of weather balloons at 9.15am and 3.15pm daily (Eastern Standard Time). Louth Rd; inquiries (02) 6836 2149. Golden Walk: tour the operating Peak Gold Mine or view from observation deck; Kidman Way; (02) 6830 2265. Self-guide heritage walks and heritage bus tours: historic buildings including the courthouse and the Great Western Hotel (with the longest iron-lace verandah in NSW), and mining and agricultural sites around town; brochure from visitor centre.
Nearby
Mt Grenfell Historic Site The 5 km Ngiyambaa Walkabout leads visitors on a scenic tour with breathtaking views of the Cobar area. There are hundreds of Aboriginal stencils and paintings of great cultural significance in spectacular reds, yellows and ochres on rock overhangs along the trail. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available. Off Barrier Hwy; 67 km NW.The Old Reservoir and Devil's Rock: Devil's Rock was a site for ceremonial rites for the Ngemba people. Good swimming and watersports at the reservoir; 3 km N. Mount Drysdale: deserted mining town where visitors can investigate old mine shafts and remains of the town. Features historic Aboriginal sites including rock wells; permission required (02) 6836 3462; 34 km N.
Cafes & restaurants around town
Sit at the bar with locals unwinding with an after-work drink, then head out to the restaurant for a meal. The dining area is conveniently separated into family-friendly and ‘grown up’ areas, with the... Find out more
Campsites around town
Dry Tank camping ground 109 km
Follow Kidman Way 50 km south of Bourke and turn right onto the main park road; alternatively, turn onto East Toorale Rd 10 km south of Bourke and follow the signs. There’s a 2.4 km walk from here leading to a... Find out moreYanda camping ground 138 km
Camp right on the Darling River at this newly established site on the north-western side of Louth Rd. From Bourke, head south along the Kidman Way and turn right onto Louth Rd. Follow the road about 45 km and watch for a... Find out moreTilpa Weir camping area 147 km
This is a nice little campsite overlooking the Darling River, 140 km north-east of Wilcannia and 6 km east of Tilpa on the Tilpa–Louth Rd. Don’t miss the chance to stop in for a cold drink or a meal at the... Find out moreMount Oxley camping area 149 km
Mt Oxley is a tabletop mountain with spectacular views over the broad and sunburnt plains surrounding Bourke. This camping area is on private property; to get here, follow the road to Brewarrina for 28 km and take the... Find out moreKidman's Camp 162 km
This is a neat and friendly caravan park in North Bourke, not far from the famed Darling River. It’s got a swimming pool, which is heavenly in the high heat of summer, as well as powered and unpowered tent sites,... Find out moreMays Bend camping area 162 km
Gaze across the Darling River to towering red gums at this spot, just 11 km north of North Bourke. Facilities are non-existent, but it’s quiet and beautiful, and you can fish, paddle, or go for a swim if you... Find out moreWarren Weir camping area 194 km
Warren is a laid-back country town on the Macquarie River, 80 km west of Gilgandra on the Oxley Hwy. The weir is 5 km south of town; the camping and picnicking area is on the western side, accessed via Dubbo St.... Find out more4 Mile camping area 197 km
At 4 miles, or approximately 6.5 km, east of Brewarrina along Carinda Rd, this is a top spot for fishing and swimming in the Barwon River. You’ll be joining a tradition stretching back thousands of years –... Find out moreLake Cargelligo Weir camping area 197 km
This camping area sits on the edge of Lake Cargelligo, 95 km west of Condobolin via Lachlan Valley Way. Pelicans, swans, wild ducks, geese and parrots are a few of the birds you may see here. Fishing and picnicking are... Find out moreWillandra Homestead Cottage 200 km
This small fibro cottage has 2 bedrooms with bunk beds sleeping up to 8 people. Self-contained, it has a kitchen stocked with cooking utensils, air conditioning and wood heating. It’s near Willandra Creek and... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Cobar Caravan Park 2 km
This park appeals to us each time we stay here. The neat, well-maintained place is located on the Barrier Highway about 1 km west of the shopping centre. There are good amenities and it is an ideal overnight stop for... Find out moreRiverside Caravan Park 127 km
The park is set in a quiet riverfront location on the western side of Nyngan, strategically located near the junction of the Mitchell and Barrier highways. It has most of the normal park facilities and, while it has... Find out moreMitchell Caravan Park 157 km
This caravan park is located in a quiet, off-highway position about 1 km from the town centre. It has modern, clean amenities and good basic facilities. It is an ideal base for those exploring Bourke. Bookings are... Find out moreKidmans Camp 162 km
Located 8 km north of town, this spacious riverfront park has plenty of lawn and lots of shade. The park is in a quiet, out-of-town location backing onto the Darling River.... Find out moreTandara Caravan Park 211 km
This owner-operated park is in a quiet offhighway location. Seasonal workers in the cotton industry often stay here. It has good amenities and a well-stocked shop. This is a good, budget-priced park.... Find out moreHillston Caravan Park 222 km
This is a tidy park on the northern edge of town. The park has modern amenities and good facilities, though it can be very busy in the winter months during the peak tourist season. There is also a large influx of fruit... Find out moreRest areas around town
Cobar Rest Area 2 km
East side of town Large parking area. Good facilities. GPS: S31 29.992 E145 50.709... Find out moreFlorida Rest Area 49 km
82 km W of Nyngan (R) or 50 km E of Cobar (L) Large area just off the highway surrounded by scrub. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S31 31.938 E146 21.067 ... Find out moreMeadow Glen Rest Area 63 km
63 km W of Cobar (R) or 197 km E of Wilcannia (L) Large area just off the highway among numerous small pine trees. Reasonable shade. GPS: S31 33.546 E145 11.233... Find out moreBahloo Rest Area 100 km
27 km NW of Coolabah (L) or 24 km SE of Byrock (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S30 49.52 E146 32.48 ... Find out moreBulla Park Rest Area 115 km
117 km W of Cobar (L) or 143 km E of Wilcannia (R) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S31 33.830 E144 37.720 ... Find out moreNyngan Park Area 128 km
North-west side of town Large parking area well off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S31 33.459 E147 11.073... Find out moreLatoka Rest Area 141 km
57 km NW of Byrock (L) or 21 km SE of Bourke (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S30 14.42 E146 03.30... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Festival of the Miner's Ghost: Oct.
