Discover Cobar: mining history, nature and water

Discover Cobar from different perspectives: along a track through bushland, through activities at Newey Reservoir and by exploring the mining history present at several sites. You can shape your trip around the experiences that interest you most—from birdwatching and time by the water to exhibitions and historic memorials.

Walking at Newey Reservoir

The Federation Walking Track starts at the Great Cobar Museum and heads south around Newey Reservoir. On the outskirts of town, it passes through quiet bushland. Birdwatching and picnicking are among the activities along the track. Information panels also cover different aspects of the region: Cobar’s mining history, former settlements, its people, and the region’s flora and fauna.

The track combines outdoor exercise with insights into the history and nature of the area. If you want to get to know Cobar through more than its mining sites, you’ll also find stories here about the landscape and wildlife. The panels give your observations along the way a local context; you can also make the track a focus of your stay in its own right.

Recreation and birdlife at the reservoir

At Cobar Newey Reservoir, people go for fitness walks, kayak, fish, cycle and watch birds. Its diverse birdlife also makes the reservoir an interesting place for nature observation. Picnic tables and a covered pavilion provide additional facilities. There are several ways to enjoy the water: explore the surroundings on foot or by bike, choose an activity on the water, or focus on the birdlife.

This range of activities differs from the focus of the town’s museums and monuments. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you’d like to spend more time enjoying nature and relaxing at the reservoir or exploring Cobar as a mining town. Both offer a different way to experience the destination, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one side of Cobar.

Explore the mining history

At the Great Cobar Museum, you can explore the exhibition at your own pace. An interactive feature connects a “job title” with a “pay window”. The museum also includes access to the open-cut mine, which was part of the original mining operations. From there, you can look out over the original mine and the slag heap. The exhibition, interactive feature and view of the former working landscape each offer a different perspective; together, they provide several ways to engage with Cobar’s mining history.

The Cobar Miners Memorial commemorates the people who lost their lives in the local Cobar mines. The Cobar Mining Heritage Park features, among other things, a two-metre-high bronze sculpture of a miner, a restored stamper battery from the Mount Boppy Mine, a loader from the CSA Mine, and a headframe and winding gear from the Old Chesney Mine. The memorial and heritage park show different sides of the story: remembrance of those who died and preserved objects from the mining industry.

Sound art and accommodation in Cobar

Another cultural highlight is the Cobar Sound Chapel, a permanent sound installation and artwork in the town of Cobar. There are specific arrangements to make: before arriving in Cobar, contact the Visitor Information Centre to check availability and book a time. If the Sound Chapel is part of your travel plans, remember to do this before you arrive.

Your interests can also guide your search for a hotel in Cobar: would you like to focus on the Federation Walking Track and reservoir, or are you especially interested in the museum, memorial and heritage park?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Carrathool, Toongabbie, Warren, Nelligen, Evans Head, Yarra, Coopernook, The Channon.

Return to the broader travel guide: New South Wales.