Cobar Copper Mine

Cobar NSW 2835 (Pop 5 300)
Pic: by Axel Strauss

Cobar is an Outback township 711 km n-w of Sydney. It sits at the crossroads of the Kidman Way (to Qld) and Barrier Hwy (to SA) and derived its name from the indigenous Ngiyampaa word, Kuparr or Gubar meaning red ochre (actually copper). Pastoralists began settling in 1860s, copper was discovered in 1870 and by 1876 the Great Cobar Copper Mining Co had been formed.  At its peak the area had a population of 10 000 and its own stock exchange. There are many charming and historic houses and buildings. Cobar markets each Sat. Festival of the Miner’s Ghost (Aug).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Cobar features the Great Western Hotel (1898) said to have the longest iron lace verandah in the Southern Hemisphere, the Cobar Court House (1887), Court House Hotel (1895). The Great Cobar Outback Heritage Centre, Barrier Hwy located in the former Mines Office (1910) depicting its Aboriginal heritage and detailed mining history. Open (8.30am-5pm) Mon-Fri and (9am-5pm) weekends/public holidays. (Closed Good Friday, Dec. 25th & Jan. 1st). Commonwealth Meterological Station, Louth Rd  The radar tracking process and weather balloon launchings can be viewed daily at 9.15am and 3.15pm.

Nearby:
Fort Bourke Hill excellent town views, mining activities and a series of stone miners’ cottages dating back to the 1870s. Mount Grenfell Historic Site (67 km n-w) features some of the finest examples of rock art in Australia. There are three main rock shelters with over 1 300 depictions of humans, hand stencils and animals. The Old Reservoir (great swimming and watersports) and Devil’s Rock (3 km north) site of ceremonial rites of the Ngemba tribe.

Accommodation:
Cobar has 6 motels, four hotels and a camping/caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Barrier Hwy. Tel (02) 6836 2448.

Airport:
Cobar Airport (CAZ) Woodiwiss. Tel (02) 6836 2005. Ave (6.4km s-w of CBD).

Hospital:
Cobar District Hospital, Lerida St. Tel (02) 6836 2406.