Cobar, New South Wales, Australia

Cobar, New South Wales
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cobar_main_street.jpg
Author: Tim


Cobar is a small town in the central western part of New South Wales, Australia. It is located at the eastern edge of the outback. The town of Cobar has a population of around 5,200 people (2012 estimate) while the surrounding Cobar Shire, which covers 44,065 sq km (two thirds the size of Tasmania), has a population of 7,000.

The name Cobar comes from the Aboriginal word for the burnt earth used as body painting in Aboriginal ceremonies. The shire has some of the finest Aboriginal rock art paintings in New South Wales.

The court house at Cobar
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cobar_Court_House.jpg
Author: Johnismyth


The Cobar area was first settled by European pastoralists in the mid-1960s. Discovery of copper in the area brought an influx of European and Asian gold-rush immigrants. In the 19th century, railway lines were built to Cobar primarily to serve the copper mines. Wealth from copper is seen from the construction of several fine buildings in the late 19th century, many of which are still standing today.

The fortunes of Cobar was determined by copper. Population peaked at 10,000, then began to decline when the copper mines became exhausted in 1920. By the 1930's there were just about a thousand people living in Cobar. The numbers have risen again, following the discovery of gold, lead, silver and zinc ore in the area.

Cobar experiences a semi-arid climate. Hottest month is January, when average high temperature rises to 34°C (93.2°F). Coldest month is August, when the average low drops to -2.5°C (27.5°F).

The Mine in Cobar
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cobar_mining.jpg
Author: Axel Strauß

Visiting Cobar

From Sydney, take Metroad 4 (or alternatively, State Route 44 that runs parallel to it for much of the way) heading west till Leonay, where it continues as Highway A32. The A32 takes you to Dubbo and eventually Cobar.

Places of Interest in Cobar

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