For a town of it’s size, it is surprising what Cobar has to offer. Located right in the middle of NSW you get a taste of mining, farming, the outback, and some good old-fashioned country hospitality from the friendly locals.
The tourism is primarily built on mining history, but there are a few modern attractions in the mix.
Don’t miss a visit to Newey Resevoir, tucked away on the edge of town. It’s a great spot for a picnic and bird watching.
Cobar Attractions
Weather Station Tour
The local weather man provides an interesting tour of the weather station, explaining how each of the instruments work and the day to day operations. Tours run each weekday at 8:30am. The weather balloon is only released on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Where: Louth Road Cobar, about 1 km from town.
Tips: It is a good idea to ring ahead to confirm the time of the tour as it is does change.
Info: (02) 6836 2149
Centenary of Federation Walking Track
A 6.5 km track taking you past old historic town sites, and the Newey Resevoir. It was an enjoyable bike ride, but may be a little boring to walk given it would take 1.5- 2 hours. The track isn’t a loop so when you get to the end, you would have to walk back through town to get to where you started. You are guaranteed to see some native wildlife along the way.
Where: Starts at the Visitors Information Centre, Barrier Highway Cobar
Tips: Take a picnic lunch and stop at Newey Reservoir. Such a lovely spot.
Info: Map with information can be picked up from the Visitors Information Centre
Fort Bourke Lookout & New Cobar Open Cut Gold Mine
A short and not to difficult ride from the town center is the Open Cut Mine. At the top is a viewing platform that gives a birds eye view of the mine and the Cobar township. While on the viewing platform you may hear water under your feet. This is the towns water supply, being pumped into the water storage tanks on top of the the hill, from Nyngan, 135 km’s away.
Where: Coming from Cobar, turn onto Kidman way. Approx 1 km on left is a sealed road which will take you to the top of the look out.
Tips: Makes a nice viewpoint for sunset.
Info: Visitors Information Centre
Newey Reservoir
A nice recreational area to sit, relax, watch the birds and enjoy the serenity. There are public BBQ and picnic area’s located in a green grassy setting by the edge of the water.
Where: Knight Drive, Cobar
Tips: At the time of our visit you could free camp along one side of the banks, toilet facilities were close by. The outlook is much nicer than the local caravan park, but for us the local caravan park was a better option as they have nice facilities for our primitive style of camping.
Info: Visitors Information Centre
Miners Heritage Park
Featuring a 15 meter high poppet head, and many other relics from bygone mining days, the park was built to commemorate the miners who lost their lives in Cobar mines. The interpretive signs located around the park give a good insight into the various mines that have operated in the area over the past 100+ years.
Where: Across the road from the Visitors Information Centre, Barrier Highway, Cobar
Great Cobar Heritage Centre and Museum
The Visitors Information Centre is located at the entrance of the Great Cobar Heritage Centre. Also at this facility is an impressive museum show casing farming, mining and Aboriginal history from the area. The $12pp entrance fee deterred us from visiting the Meseum, but what we could see from the entrance, convinced us that it would impressive, had we gone through.
Where: Barrier Highway, Cobar
Tips: Entry to museum is $12 adults, $25 family (at time of post)
Info: www.cobar.nsw.gov.au/tourism/visitor-s-centre
Cobar Heritage Walk:
If historical buildings interest you, you can take a self guided tour around Cobar and visit significant buildings and sites, some of which still stand in immaculate condition today.
Where: Starting from the Visitors Information Centre, Barrier Highway, Cobar
Tip: Pic up the map and information bulletin from the Visitors Information Centre.
Info: Visitors Information Centre.
Airstrip
Fuel
Landing Fee's
Facilities
Transport
The airfield is located 7 km’s from the town centre.
A sealed walking track starts a few kilometers from the airport and goes all the way into town.
Operator
There are a few other motels and bed & breakfasts available in town.
Have you visited Cobar?
Leave a comment below if there is something you recommend our readers should do when visiting Cobar.