Cobar

The name Cobar is derived from the Aboriginal Ngiyampaa word Kuparr, Gubarr or Cuburra, meaning 'red earth' or 'burnt earth', the ochre used in making body paint for Corroborees. It has also been suggested, but it is less likely, that the name may represent an Aboriginal attempt to pronounce the word 'copper'.

As one enters Cobar the mining theme is immediately noticeable.


While Cobar got its start on copper mining today, and throughout history, gold, silver, lead and zinc have also been extensively mined in the district.

A short distance from the centre of town is Fort Bourke Hill Lookout.


The colours of the cut walls strike me as being coppery. We were able to view what we thought was an open cut mine, which it was, but now they are working underground. A tunnel at the bottom of the open cut leads underground






Sunday afternoon we drove West to Mt Grenfell, which is reputed to have some of the best Aboriginal Cave paintings in the country.


We did not see the above sign when we first started on our walk (we saw it at the end). Hence we had a lovely (5km) walk up the mountain





fought off flies


and finally came across the Aboriginal cave paintings






On our last day in Cobar we visited the Museum. There were many photos of life in the past


as well as preserved and restored relics





A short walk outside took us to the original Cobar mine, now filled with ground water. The water is very green and unsafe to drink. However the colours in the surrounding cliffs were spectacular