The first surprise to us was that Cobar was a mining town. Originally copper was found in the 1870, later gold was discovered. Cobar like all mining towns has had its booms and busts. Currently gold mining is undergoing a resurgence due to new technology and higher gold prices. At Fort Bourke Hill a lookout has been constructed so you can look down into the open cut section of the New Occidental Gold Mine. Fort Bourke Hill was the site of the first Cobar mine called "The Great Cobar Mine" that commenced operations in 1876. This time around the top of the hill has been open cut mined before mining continues on underground.There are 3 other fully operational gold mines in the district.
Much of the original Cobar was build in the 1890 and 1900's and the architecture reflects this.
The railway station still in operation....
There are some really great painting subject opportunities amongst the old unused buildings. No need to go to Tuscany for that run down romantic look...
The Great Western Pub with the supposed longest wrought-iron balustrade in the southern hemisphere.
In Cobar like many of the mining towns we've visited the Catholic Church is the prominent church in town. We figure it was because the miners (workers) were predominately of that faith. Even the farm and station hands were mainly Catholic.
While the old part of town is typical turn of the century mining cottages there are some homes that are more substantial. Some in brick...
So some more your colonial squatter type....
The original School of Art reflects the prosperity and the cultural sophistication of early Cobar...
This building, "Longworth" was built in 1895 to be the residence and surgery for the doctor of The Great Cobar Copper Mine.
The Anglician Church.....
The original butcher shop, part of which is still a butcher shop. In Cobar as in Broken Hill they have a tradition of maintaining the original facade and building name although new owners and business now operate from within the building
The main street of Cobar is being redeveloped with granite paved, wider footpaths. The central shopping strip is so up to date that I doubt you could tell if you where in Cobar or Clayfield. After a few days thinking about why Cobar is different to many other small towns we have visited, I have come to the conclusion that it is the pride of the people in their town that makes the difference. Sure prosperity helps. But genuine community pride is the secret.
On to Bourke...
