Our next stop for a few nights as we headed east after leaving Wilcannia was the NSW central western mining town of Cobar situated on the Barrier Highway. Again this became another town that we thoroughly enjoyed exploring and learning about its history🤓.
Prior to the discovery of copper in 1870 the district consisted of huge pastoral holdings which relied heavily on the Darling River paddle boat trade. The discovery of copper led to the boom which saw the town flourishing and the population exploded to around 15,000. According to the 2016 Census the population is now around 4,000. The discovery of copper was prior to that of gold💰.
👉We took a drive out to Fort Bourke Lookout which is a few minutes from town where you can get a view of Cobar and its surroundings. But even more impressive was looking down from the lookout into the ‘New Cobar Open Cut Gold Mine’. The local area is mined for a variety of minerals and again is prosperous.
👉The town with its lovely wide streets has everything you need. IGA superstores, cafes, restaurants a couple of pubs, the RSL, bowls and golf clubs, a hospital and other medical services. It also has a hairdresser💇♀️, banks, butcher, baker (great pies), post office, pharmacy and even a small well stocked Harvey Norman.
👉The Great Cobar Heritage Centre is a must for all as it has a truly informative museum attached to it. The price to enter is $10 per person and is valid over two days. You will need the extra time as there is so much to read about. A very comprehensive description of how the region evolved with the development of mining and pastoral endeavors. 👏👍
👉Take the time to explore outside and check out another open cut mine, which today is no longer in operation. Proudly displayed outside are numerous pieces of old farm machinery but best of all is the Royal Far West Railway Carriage 🚃which was the baby clinic that came to town every 6 weeks. Step inside and take a look – it’s quite impressive. The Sister on duty at the time had her own kitchen, bathroom, bed etc. Almost like caravanning. 😊
👉We enjoyed our stay at the Cobar Caravan Park which just happens to be the only caravan park in town. This park is very well maintained and clean and well worth a stop. Plenty of sites to suit all types of rigs. 👇
👉Large drive thru sites with power and water – $24 2A (right now they have a deal that you only pay $30 for any extra nights)🔌
👉Amenities – very clean🚽🚿👌
👉Camp kitchen🍽
👉Laundry👕
👉Dump point🚽
👉Pet Friendly🐶
👉 Telstra and TV reception 📱📺
👉👉For general information the previous free camp area at the Cobar Reservoir is closed until further notice but Cobar Council is allowing limited overnight stops near the RSL Club in town. No water and no power. Toilets are close by. Just ask the lovely ladies at the Information Centre for more info.👍
Below are a list of others places we have visited that may be of interest to you:
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- Alice Springs NT to Broken Hill NSW
- Boken Hill to Sawtell – NSW
- Crossing the Nullarbor
- Free Camps – Broken Hill to Cobar -NSW
- NSW – Free camps, Donation camps, Showgrounds and Caravan Parks 2019
- Northern Territory – Free camps, Donation camps and Caravan Parks 2018/2019
- Queensland Road Trip 2017/2018
- South Australia to Western Australia 2019
- South Australia trip 2017/2018
- Victoria 2017/2018
- Western Australia Coastal Trip 2018
- WA’s Got the Lot 2019
Cheers
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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle
Dixie and Graeme