Copper was discovered at Cobar in 1870, and mining — copper, gold, lead and zinc — has driven the town ever since. It lies on Ngiyampaa Country in central-western NSW, at the junction of the Barrier and Kidman Way highways.
Things to do
Great Cobar Heritage Centre. Housed in the old mine office building, the centre covers mining, pastoral and Aboriginal history and is the place to start.
Fort Bourke lookout. A lookout over the deep open cut of the old Fort Bourke mine shows the scale of local mining.
Mount Grenfell Historic Site. About 70 km north-west, this NPWS site protects hundreds of Aboriginal rock art motifs in shelters along a creek. Access is via a short unsealed road; check conditions after rain.
Heritage walk. The Great Western Hotel, with one of the longest iron-lace verandahs in NSW, and other historic buildings line the main street.
History and Country
Cobar is on the Country of the Ngiyampaa people. The name is thought to derive from a local Aboriginal word linked to red ochre found in the area. In 1870, well-sinkers guided by local Aboriginal people found copper, and the Great Cobar mine became one of the most important copper mines in Australia. By the early twentieth century, Cobar was a significant industrial town, with smelters and a railway. Mining slowed in the 1920s but revived after the Second World War, and today the district hosts copper, gold, lead, zinc and silver mines.
Mining heritage
The Great Cobar Heritage Centre, in the 1910 mine office building, explains the town's mining history and its people. The Fort Bourke lookout overlooks a deep open cut. The district's modern mines continue the tradition; mine tours are generally not available to the public.
Mount Grenfell Historic Site
Mount Grenfell protects rock art galleries with hundreds of motifs painted in red, yellow and white ochre. The site is managed jointly with the Ngiyampaa people. A walking track leads to the art sites and onward to a ridge with views over the surrounding plains. Do not touch the art.
Cobar Sound Chapel
The Cobar Sound Chapel, a project inside a disused water tank on the edge of town, presents a long-running musical composition by Georges Lentz; it has been open to visitors in recent years. Check opening hours with the visitor centre.
A one- or two-day itinerary
Day 1: Great Cobar Heritage Centre, the Fort Bourke lookout, the heritage walk along Marshall Street, and dinner at the Great Western Hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Mount Grenfell Historic Site, then continue north to Bourke or west to Wilcannia and Broken Hill.
Seasons
Spring and autumn are most comfortable. Summers are hot, while winters bring cool days and cold nights.
Getting there
Cobar is on the Barrier Highway, about 710 km west of Sydney, 160 km north-west of Nyngan and 450 km east of Broken Hill. Regional flights serve Cobar; check schedules.
Where to stay and eat
Motels, hotels and caravan parks, plus supermarkets, cafés, pubs and clubs.
Safety
Watch for kangaroos and goats, especially at dawn and dusk. Fuel up before heading west, where distances between towns are long.
Ngiyampaa heritage
The Ngiyampaa people have lived in the Cobar region for thousands of years. Besides Mount Grenfell, the region has stone arrangements, grinding grooves and scarred trees. The Great Cobar Heritage Centre and the visitor centre can recommend ways to learn about local culture.
Gold and copper today
Modern mines around Cobar include underground copper, gold and base metal operations, and the town remains one of NSW's most important mining centres. Peak Gold and the CSA Mine are among the best-known operations. The industry's presence means Cobar has more services than most towns of its size.
Nature and birdlife
The mallee and woodland country around Cobar supports kangaroos, emus and many birds, including the colourful Major Mitchell's cockatoo. Cobar's water reservoirs and dams attract waterbirds. In spring, wildflowers bloom along the roadsides after good rain.
Fuel, phones and medical help
Cobar Health Service on Woodiwiss Avenue provides 24-hour emergency care, inpatient beds and renal dialysis.
Travelling with kids
Children often enjoy the Fort Bourke Lookout over the open-cut mine and the Great Cobar Heritage Centre.
Where to next
- Nyngan — about 130 km east, a farming town on the Bogan River.
- Bourke — about 160 km north via the Kidman Way.
- Wilcannia — about 260 km west on the Darling.
- Broken Hill — about 450 km west.
- Gundabooka National Park — north, on the way to Bourke.
Who it suits
Cobar suits travellers crossing NSW by road, mining heritage enthusiasts and people interested in Aboriginal rock art.
Packing tips
Bring a hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes for Mount Grenfell. Winter nights can be cold, so pack warm layers.
Visiting the Cobar Sound Chapel
The Cobar Sound Chapel is a permanent sound installation by composer and sound artist Georges Lentz, created with architect Glenn Murcutt and completed in early 2022. Visit Cobar explains how to visit:
- Book a time slot with the Visitor Information Centre before you arrive.
- Collect the key from the Great Cobar Museum during business hours. Access is free, but you leave a copy of ID and a $100 cash bond, which is returned with the key.
- The gates are locked at all times, but you can view the chapel from outside at any time.
- It's on an unsealed road, which may be affected by weather, and there are no toilets.
- For evening or overnight bookings, contact the chapel directly through its website.
The Great Cobar Museum and Visitor Information Centre is on the Barrier Highway. Visit Cobar lists its hours as 8.30 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 4.30 pm on weekends.
Is Cobar worth visiting?
Cobar is more than a fuel stop between Dubbo and Broken Hill. In a day or two, you can see the heritage centre, look into the open cut from Fort Bourke Hill, book the Sound Chapel and drive to the Mount Grenfell Historic Site, about 70 km away. Mount Grenfell's Ngiyampaa rock art is one of the best-known Aboriginal art sites in western NSW.
Cobar with kids
Families can explore the heritage centre's mining displays, walk up to the lookout and picnic in town. Keep children close at lookouts and around old mine sites, and plan outdoor activities for early or late in the day in summer.
Practical information
Cobar has fuel, supermarkets, a hospital, motels and caravan parks. It is about 710 km west of Sydney. Continue west to Broken Hill or north to Bourke.
Explore nearby
Nearby park guide: Gundabooka & Toorale.
Related park guide: Mount Grenfell.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cobar worth stopping in?
Yes. It is a convenient overnight stop between Nyngan and Wilcannia with a good heritage centre, an open-cut lookout and the Mount Grenfell rock art site nearby.
How far is Cobar from Broken Hill?
Roughly 450 km west via Wilcannia on the sealed Barrier Highway.
Is Cobar, NSW worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or two. Highlights include the Great Cobar Heritage Centre, the view into the open cut from Fort Bourke Hill, the Cobar Sound Chapel (book ahead) and the Mount Grenfell Historic Site's rock art.
How do you visit the Cobar Sound Chapel?
Book a time slot with the Cobar Visitor Information Centre, then collect the key from the Great Cobar Museum during business hours. Entry is free, but you leave ID and a $100 cash bond, which is returned with the key.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Visit Cobar — Cobar Shire Council
- Mount Grenfell Historic Site — NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Cobar Sound Chapel — Cobar Shire Council
