Cobar
Cobar is a town in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is in the Outback, a remote, sparsely populated area. The town is located about 712 kilometers (442 miles) northwest of Sydney. It is a major center for mining, especially of copper, gold, and silver. Cobar has a population of approximately 4,700 and an area of 44,065 square kilometres (17,014 sq mi).[1]
| Cobar New South Wales | |||||||||
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 Marshall Street, the main street of Cobar. Cobar retains much of its late 19th-century architecture. | |||||||||
  Cobar | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 31°29′59″S 145°49′55″E / 31.49972°S 145.83194°E | ||||||||
| Population | 3,369 (as of 2021) | ||||||||
| Established | 1870 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 260 m (853 ft) | ||||||||
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History
[change | change source]The land around Cobar is the traditional country of the Ngiyampaa Aboriginal people. The name "Cobar" comes from the local Aboriginal word for a type of red ochre used in ceremonies and painting. European settlement began in the 1870s after copper was discovered. The town grew quickly during the mining boom, becoming one of the largest mining centers in New South Wales. At one time, Cobar was home to a famous copper smelter. Today, mining is still the most important part of the town's economy. Modern mines use advanced technology to extract minerals like copper, gold, lead, and zinc.
Geography and Climate
[change | change source]Cobar is located in a very dry area of New South Wales. The landscape is mostly flat, with red soil and native bushes. The climate is hot and dry, with very hot summers. The town is on the Barrier Highway, a major road connecting the coast to the interior of Australia.
Tourism
[change | change source]Places to go there are:
- Great Cobar Heritage Centre: This museum is in the old Cobar administration building. It tells the story of the town's mining history and the lives of the people who lived there.
- Fort Bourke Hill Lookout: From this lookout, visitors can see a view of the town and a working open-cut mine.
- Mount Grenfell Historic Site: This site is known for its important Aboriginal rock art. It is a short drive from Cobar.
- Old Reserve No. 1 Bore: This is a famous landmark in the area and is a symbol of the town's reliance on water from the ground.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ http://www.cobar.nsw.gov.au/ Archived 28 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 7 January 2010
