Bourke and Cobar, New South Wales

 Bourke is a historic town located on the Darling River on the edge of the desert.

It was once an important port on the Darling River with wool from all across western New South Wales and south western Queensland being transported by bullock wagons and shipped down the river to South Australia. Consequently there are some impressive historical buildings reflecting its early prosperity. We drive past the old bridge which was built in England and shipped up the Darling in sections.

We visited the bakery for breakfast and had a walk around. 

It’s cotton country… evidence on side of the road

The old port

The Darling River

The Bourke Parrot spotted in Bourke!

Having visited here in 2020 we didn’t linger and drove another 160km to Cobar, also visited in 2020. Ever since crossing the border into NSW the roads have been lined with goats! Apparently they have become another industry for the area. Mark also liked the trucks along the way…

Cobar is a mining town, with copper being discovered near here in 1870. The town suffered greatly when copper prices fell after WWI. However today 6 mines are still operational in the area, although heavily dependent on FiFO workers, so tourism is essential to keep the town running. There are many historical buildings along with mining heritage sites to explore.

We park next to the most interesting and the most prominent building in town, the huge Great Western Hotel (1898) in the main street. The pub's timber veranda with cast-iron balustrades and a lacework balcony is 100 metres long and, as such, is reputedly the longest cast iron veranda and balcony in Australia.

We then have a look at the Miner’s Memorial Park.

We drive out to the historical railway station active between 1892 until 1975. The line only carries ore now. 

Of course we had to take a photo of Buster at the Cobar sign, situated on the remains of the Great Cobar Copper Mine.

Having complimented our previous visit 5 years ago, we continued another 160km on roads untravelled before… south to Mount Hope. In its glory days, it was a thriving copper mining township. Now the last remaining business since 1881 is the Royal Hotel.  We parked up for the night in the commons behind the pub. Then later wondered up for dinner. 

331km today