🔍

Cobar

NSW 2835 • Rest of NSW

3,603
Population (2021)
$48,724
Median Income
2186.32 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
RuralMining TownHistoricAffordable

About Cobar

Cobar is a remote outback town in central-western New South Wales, situated 712 kilometres northwest of Sydney at the junction of the Barrier Highway and the Kidman Way. Home to around 3,600 residents, it is the administrative centre of the Cobar Shire and serves as the main service hub for the vast surrounding pastoral and mining region. The town sits on the Cobar Peneplain at an elevation of 252 metres, characterised by flat red-earth country and sparse mulga scrub stretching to every horizon.

Cobar's economy is anchored by copper and gold mining, with the CSA Copper Mine and Peak Gold Mine long having been central to local employment and prosperity. The Great Cobar Heritage Centre tells the story of the town's rich mining history, while the Cobar Museum and surrounding national parks attract outback travellers. Residents enjoy a tight-knit community with essential services including supermarkets, medical facilities, a hospital, and well-regarded local schools, all providing a genuine bush lifestyle for families and workers drawn to the mining industry.

Cobar falls under postcode 2835 and is governed by Cobar Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2835
Urban Area
Cobar
LGA / Council
Cobar
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Barwon
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.48°, 145.79°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2186.32 km²
Elevation
252m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Dubbo / Sydney 5–8 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
712 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
approx. 7–8 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 7 hrs

🛣️ Access via Barrier Highway (A32). NSW TrainLink coach connects to Dubbo for rail connection to Sydney.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most amenities require a vehicle; the town centre is walkable for locals.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Cobar, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Cobar Railway Station and yard
Nyngan-Cobar railway, Cobar • SHR #01114
Billagoe (Mount Drysdale) Cultural Landscape
Cobar- Bourke Road, Cobar • SHR #02057

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Cobar by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Cobar Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Cobar" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,109
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7%

61 state housing + 27 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,990
Census 2021
3,603
▼ 9.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$39,260
Income 2021
$48,724
▲ 24.1% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,732
Born Overseas 279

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 48
  • 2. Philippines 21
  • 3. England 20
  • 4. India 20
  • 5. South Africa 15
  • 6. Papua New Guinea 11
  • 7. Egypt 7
  • 8. Ireland 7
  • 9. Pakistan 7
  • 10. United States 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,564
English 1,188
Australian Aboriginal 483
Irish 319
Scottish 261
German 104
Italian 60
Filipino 36
Chinese 33
New Zealander 32

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,434
Both parents born in Australia
370
Both parents born overseas
223
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.3%
No Religion
28.1%
Buddhism
0.8%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
260 (7.2%)
5-14 years
500 (13.9%)
15-19 years
210 (5.8%)
20-24 years
205 (5.7%)
25-34 years
544 (15.1%)
35-44 years
455 (12.6%)
45-54 years
381 (10.6%)
55-64 years
468 (13.0%)
65-74 years
331 (9.2%)
75-84 years
181 (5.0%)
85+ years
68 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cobar known for? +

Cobar is known for its copper and gold mining industry, particularly the CSA Copper Mine and Peak Gold Mine. It is also a popular stopover for outback travellers on the Barrier Highway.

How far is Cobar from Sydney? +

Cobar is approximately 712 kilometres northwest of Sydney, roughly a 7–8 hour drive via the Great Western Highway and Barrier Highway.

What schools are in Cobar? +

Cobar has several schools including Cobar Public School (government primary), Cobar High School (government secondary), and St John's Primary School (Catholic primary).

Is there a train to Cobar? +

There is no longer a passenger rail service to Cobar. The nearest rail connection is at Dubbo, which can be reached via NSW TrainLink coach service from Cobar.