Bus tour of Cobar

Today we went on a bus tour of Cobar and one of the Cobar mines (a gold mine). We were picked up at the Cobar caravan park and all together there was a group of 21 of us (the tour was compltely booked out!). I'm really glad we went on the tour as it was a great way to get to know our way around town and learn alot of historical and modern information about Cobar and its mining industry.

The first place we went was back to the smaller open cut mine that we walked through yesterday. The tour guide drove us through it and pointed out all of the remnants of the old machinery (this mine is no longer being used). He told us alot of really interesting stories about the locals and their involvement in the mine and a few funny stories about the different things the kids used the water filled "pit" for after the mine shut down. This is the pit I mentioned yesterday which is 45 metres deep to the bottom where a 450 metre deep shaft begins!. So its a very deep pit. The tour guide told us there was a rumor going around town that some locals believe and others dont. The rumor suggested that when th elocal circus was in town their elephant became sick and died. According to the whisperings of a few older locals the elephant was disposed of into the pit, under the water never to be seen again.

We then drove around town and learnt alot about the schools, old buildings, new buildings, local culture/lifestyle etc. They took us out to an amazing man made dam that had a beautiful "Free camp" next to it (which we didn't know about) The locals actually go boating and fishing in the dam and its so pretty to look at.

We also went to a look out above an absolutely breathtaking mine. A road just went round and round and round a huge basin type "canyon" in the earth and at the bottom there was an entry to go underground and follow the same road pattern even more of a distance underground. While we were there a truck emerged from the underground mine and begin the steep incline around and around to the top of the hill, the truck looked as though it were built for ants from so far away although we were reassured it was a very very large mining track. I think this view was one of my favourite parts of Cobar.

We then went past a few mines, seen lots of wild goats and ended up at a currently working gold mine. The tour bus went into the working area (above ground only) and drove underneath and around all the machinery. While we were there waiting at the entrance to the underground mine (just having a look) a ute came up an we watched it drive into the underground mine. We also seen the enormous dams they made to hold the tailings. The tailings is the "dirt" thats left after all of the rock has been crushed, sorted and hit with cyanide to remove all of the minerals such as copper, iron, gold etc. The tailings are then put into what looks like enormous damns, the one we seen covered 8 hectares. The tailings have to be left in the sun as the UV filters out and removes the cyanide. The tailings dams were actually really spectacular to look at, they looked a bit like a salt lake except they were so full that the "mounded" in the centre like a hill/mountain.

This tour was absolutely brilliant and we learnt alot about the gold mining industry. Cobar has been a wonderful experience for us however I would definately reccomend taking the tour on the first day you arrive here as you get alot of ideas for bush walks etc to do, from the tour guide. I think Cobar is a beautiful town but I have heard that it wasnt always this way. The tour guide told us that the main stretch of Cobar has undergone a 2.5 million dollar makeover just in the last 12 months aloe and many of the other streets/buildings have had makeovers of similar financial proportions. The town is fast becoming a tourist attraction rather than just "a place to stop between Dubbo and Broken Hill". Brent and I both highly reccomend the town especially if you want to soak in all of the wonderful historical information.

Zachery eating the "silencing" lollipop we bribed him with when he started to "get over" the bus ride.

The road through the old open cut mine.

The pit full of water, once again. This is the one I mentioned yesterday that is 45 metres deep than at the bottom of that 45 metres has a 450 metre deep vertical shaft.

The beautiful manmade damn at Cobar. This is also the towns "free camp". It is an absolutely beautiful, serene place. Apparently in summer people ski and wakeboard in here, it also attracts locals with its on/off fishing.

The mine, breathtaking.

The mine again.

A huge mining truck driving out of the underground entry/exit (the hole in the mine wall at the bottom) and up the roads with a load.

Brent and Zachery enjoying the view but not the cold. It was absolutely freezing up here.

Some of the heavy machinery used to crush the minerals out of the rock at the gold mine.

Zachery was pretty excited about the heavy machinery.

The amazing tailings damn. The cynide content in these tailings is deadly and mine workers have to regularly check the surrounding fencing to ensure animals are not drinking from the run off as they die instantly. The last death was a few years ago and was a rabbit that managed to get through the fence.

The tailings damn again.

A mine ute driving into the underground mine. The road undergraound is wide enough for two landcruisers to pass on it.

The conveyer belt that runs the ore (after it has been crushed) onto a pile to be picked up and moved elswhere.

These "cabins" are placed underground and can handle a heavy load ontop. The are for the miners to get in in the case of an emergency. They have enough oxegyn for "1 man for twelve days or twelve men for one day" the tour guide said. They have plenty of water and a deck of cards but for some reason they dont keep any food in them.


Cobar is a definate "must see". Its not as "flashy" as some other places but the history of the town is very interesting and we read some absolutely amazing stories from the early 1900's about some of the wonderful people that came and helped the town during a mining lull. Theres definately alot more than meets the eye and alot to learn.

For any other caravanners out there - the Cobar Caravan Park is $28 a night or $27 a night if you pay cash.