While it is most famed for its rich mining history, the New South Wales town of Cobar – located at the crossroads of the Barrier Highway and the Kidman Way – has a lot, lot more to offer experience-seeking grey nomads.
With a population of around 5,000, the area’s ongoing prosperity is built around the thriving mining (copper, lead, silver, zinc, gold) and pastoral industries.
First port of call for many visitors is the Fort Bourke Lookout just out of town. There’s a viewing platform here which offers great views over the open pit and entrance to the underground mine. It’s also a great place to look over the town itself; the historic miners’ cottages known as Towser’s Huts; and the surrounding landscape.
Fort Bourke Hill Lookout and Open Cut Mine.. PIC: Destination NSW
Back in town, the Great Cobar Heritage Centre and Visitor’s Centre, and the Cobar Miners Heritage Park are definitely well worth a look.
The Great Cobar Heritage Centre is housed in the former administration building of the Great Cobar Copper Mine, which was built in 1910. It houses an outstanding collection of exhibits dating from 1869. The park boasts a series of objects – such as a two-metre bronze sculpture of a miner; a restored stamper battery from the Mount Boppy Mine; and a 15-metre high poppet-head from the New Cobar Mine – that help showcase Cobar’s rich mining history.
After copper was first discovered in the area in 1870, the Cobar township grew quickly and many fine heritage buildings remain. These include the magnificent Great Western Hotel built in 1898 with eye-catchingly wide verandahs and intricate iron lacework; the post office bult in 1885; the Cobar Court House built in 1887; and the Court House Hotel built in 1895.
The Cobar Miners Heritage Park. Pic: Destination NSW
About three kilometres north of town is the recreation area at the Old Reservoir. And, a one-kilometre walking track from the ‘old Res’ leads to the Devil’s Rock ancient rock formation, which features strongly in Aboriginal legend. It’s also an area rich in birdlife and wildlife.
Another great birdwatching spot is the Newey Reserve just south of the town centre. There’s a circular walking trail here and it’s a great place to fish … and just to relax.
A little further away is the Mount Grenfell Historic Site which is famed for its ancient Aboriginal rock art, including ochre and kaolin paintings, as well as hand stencils. The site, which is managed the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, lies about 70 kilometres north west of Cobar.
The Great Western Hotel in Cobar. PIC: Destination NSW
A much more recent addition to the list of Cobar attractions is the Cobar Sound Chapel. This permanent sound installation artwork basically consists of a five-metre concrete cube with a circular opening in its ceiling and with loudspeakers in its four walls. The whole thing sits inside an old disused water tank and is the permanent home of digital 24-hour surround-sound ‘String Quartet(s)’, a composition recorded by Sydney string quartet, The Noise.
There are many fantastic accommodation options for grey nomads in the area, including the spacious Cobar Caravan Park; and free or donation camping spots at places including the Lewis Street Car Park, the Old Reservoir, the Cobar Free Camp Truck Stop, and a little to the west at Glen Hope.
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