Cobargo, New South Wales: Travel guide and things to do

Located 386 km south of Sydney via the Princes Highway Cobargo, like Central Tilba which is only 19km away, has developed into a small, appealing settlement with strong heritage values.

It is a small village of quaint olden-style stores, leather and wooden craftworks, potteries, an iron forge, art galleries, tea rooms and antique shops. It even has a wheelwright.

The town probably got its name from the local Aboriginal word 'cubago' which some sources claim was used to describe Mount Dromedary. This seems doubtful as the local Aboriginal community now insist that Dromedary is correctly named 'Gulaga' - about as far from 'cubago' as you could get.

The area was settled in the late 1820s when a number of graziers moved stock into the district. By the 1830s the Imlay brothers had substantial holdings. It wasn't until the improvement of the coast road in the 1880s, and the construction of a bridge over the Narira Creek in 1882, that the town really came into existence.

In the 1890s the town, and surrounding district, was large enough to sustain a local newspaper - the Cobargo Watch. It was around this time that the Bank of New South Wales was built on the corner of Bermagui Road.

For most of the twentieth century the town has been in decline as transportation has made the larger centres more accessible. In the past decade it has been revitalised, in much the same way as Mogo and Central Tilba, by the arrival of gift shops and cafes which entice the traveller to stop and have a wander up and down the main street.

Things to see

Wadbilliga National Park
Cobargo is also a logical point of departure for an investigation of Wadbilliga National Park with its rugged mountain ranges, wide plateaus, deep river valleys, wet sclerophyll forest, heathland, bogs and pockets of rainforest. This untouched wilderness area is home to 122 species of native birds as well as swamp wallabies, echidnae, possums, platypus, eastern grey kangaroos and wombats.

The most spectacular features of the park are probably Tuross Falls (35 metres) and the 5-km Tuross River Gorge. Both are on the western side of the park. The falls can be viewed from a 3-km walking track which departs from the Cascades camping area. From Cobargo follow Bourkes Road through Yowrie and on to Lake Creek Camping Area by the Wadbilliga River. Several kilometres further beyond this point is the highly scenic Wadbilliga Crossing Picnic Area. All three locations have toilets and picnic-barbeque facilities. The park's pristine state means that exploration is mostly by foot, and then for experienced bushwalkers and naturalists who enjoy lengthy walks and are prepared for an overnight stay. Note that heavy rains can render roads and river crossings problematic if not impassable, so it is best to enquire about local conditions before setting off. Contact the Narooma office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service for further information, maps and pamphlets, tel: (02) 4476 2888.

Local Activities
A country music festival is held here every February and country markets on the third Sunday of each month on the corner of Tarlinton St and the Princes Highway.