Cobar in Outback New South Wales

Cobar

Located in the Orana Region of New South Wales, Cobar was a 130km drive from our previous overnight stop in Nyngan. Established in 1870 to mine the rich copper ore discovered there, the town still relies on mining for its existence.

The huge Cobar sign is on of the first thing you see when arriving in town. A car park next to the sign allows easy access to take photos, as well as have a break and relax at the picnic tables in the area.

Fort Bourke Lookout Peak Gold Mines

Only a three minute drive from town, the Fort Bourke Lookout at Peak Gold Mines provides an insight into the size of the local mining industry. The view looks over the old open cut mine, where you can see the entrance to the underground section at the bottom. We watched a truck drive down the decline until it entered the underground section.

Fort Bourke Lookout Over the New Cobar Mine Site

Truck at the New Cobar Mine Site — Fort Bourke Lookout Over the New Cobar Mine Site

Cobar Miners Heritage Park and Memorial

The Cobar Mining Heritage Park is just over the road from The Great Cobar Museum. After undergoing a major renovation, it was reopened in 2021.

The most significant feature is the Cobar Miners Memorial which was opened in 2021. The memorial commemorates those who have died in the local Cobar mines and those who have died from mining-related diseases. There are stories, photographs, maps and the names of those who have died because of accidents in the mines of Cobar, New South Wales.

Our full blog of the Heritage Park and Memorial can be found here.

Cobar Miners' Heritage Park — Cobar Miners’ Heritage Park

The tag board Cobar Miners' Heritage Park — The tag board

Stele Monument

Across the road from the Heritage Park, a stele commemorates Campbell, Hartman and Gibb, who discovered the copper deposit and established the town.

Great Cobar Heritage Centre & Cobar Visitor Information Centre

The Great Cobar Museum, completed in 1912, was originally the administration offices of the Great Cobar Copper Mine. The beautiful building is a fitting place for the display of Cobar’s history, having been not only part of a great mining operation but also having spent time divided into flats, as a derelict ‘haunted house’, and boarding house before becoming the museum.

In 1911, Cobar was Australia’s leading producer of copper while gold and silver were found at nearby mines. This history and that of the town and its people is beautifully displayed in the museum through artifacts and interpretive boards. There is even a room dedicated to the local pubs.

Cobar is particularly proud that it is the home of the Royal Far West Health Scheme, which still operates today. A restored Baby Health Clinic railway carriage is part of the extensive outdoor displays.

Our full blog of the museum can be found here.