Countryside near Dunedoo

Dunedoo (including Cobbora and Leadville)
Small service town on the Central Western Slopes.
Dunedoo is a small town set amidst gentle rolling hills and wide valleys adjacent the Talbragar River. It is 60 km north of Mudgee, 325 km north-west of Sydney and 399 m above sea-level. It functions as a service centre to the surrounding district which is given over to the production of wheat, cattle, mixed farming, timber, fat lambs and wool.

Prior to white settlement the area was occupied by the Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri peoples. In 1823 explorer Allan Cunningham became the first known European in the district when he came across Pandora's Pass, the route over the Warrumbungle Range on to the Liverpool Plains. The district was surveyed in 1832 and squatters soon followed, in search of fresh pasturage. The townsite was not surveyed until 1868. The name 'Dunedoo' is said to derive from an Aboriginal word for 'swans' which frequented the nearby lagoons.

The railway did not arrive until 1910. Before that time, travellers en route to Sydney had to journey by a horse-drawn vehicle to Mudgee, by Cobb & Co coach to Penrith and then by rail to the city.

The town has a nine-hole golf course. The annual show is held in February.

Things to see:  

Hotel Dunedoo

Tourist Information
The Dunedoo Newsagency, 46 Bolaro St, tel: (02) 6375 1114.

Craft Shop and Park
Janaces Gallery and Craft Shop is located at 128 Bolaro St (the main thoroughfare), tel: (02) 6375 1210. They are open from 10.00 a.m. Adjoining the main shopping centre in Bolaro St is Milling Lions Park which is a good picnic-barbecue spot.

Leadville
Leadville is 15 km east on the road to Coolah. Not surprisingly, it takes its name from the lead (and silver) ores extracted from the Mount Stewart mining operations which were the raison d'etre of the town. The mining ceased in 1898 but operations were recommenced periodically, from 1912-1927, 1932-1937 and 1950-1951. Large amounts of pyrite were also extracted from 1912. Few residents remain in a town which once employed around 500 men.

The old mines can be seen from the roadside at Leadville. There is an information board concerning the mining operations. The site is very dangerous and on private property.

Cobbora
Cobbora began its life in the 1860s as a postal stop on the run between Mudgee and Mendooran. Two hotels were established and it was declared a town in 1885 when a police station was built. Still standing, it is now a private residence and can be seen from the road. It was used in the film 'The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith'. There is also an historic cemetery with headstones dating back to 1868.

To visit Cobbora head south-west for 15 km on the road to Dubbo then turn right for 1 km.

Fossicking
An excellent deposit of petrified wood can be found near Cobbora. Head south-west along the road to Dubbo for 15 km then turn left (opposite the Cobbora turnoff) on to the Gulgong Road. The site is 7 km south on both sides of this road.

Sapphires and gemstones can be found downstream from Cobbora and 'Oakfield' property has leaf fossil deposits. The latter is private property and permission is required before people can go fossicking

Gold-bearing conglomerate has been turned up in the creeks to the south-west of town. Head south from Dunedoo for 10 km along the back-road to Gulgong then turning right on to the Tucklan road.

Fishing
Rainbow trout can be found in the upper reaches of the Talbagar River during the trout season (first October weekend to Easter). Yellowbelly, carp and catfish are caught in the lower reaches.

Gardens
Some of Dunedoo's better gardens are open for inspection as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme. To check times ring the tourist information outlet.

Farmstays
Bullinda is located 25 km north on the Digilah Rd. There are farm activities and bushwalking, tel: (02) 6886 3532.

Digilah Station, 29 km north off the Digilah Rd, also has farm activities, as well as horseriding and bushwalking, a swimming pool, a tennis court and historic buildings, including a large slab cottage which was the original homestead (c.1870), tel: (02) 6875 1380.

Narrawa, 28 km west off the Cobbara-Mendooran Rd, offers farm activities and bushwalking, tel: (02) 6375 1453.

	Motels
	Dunedoo Hotel 25 Bolaro St Dunedoo NSW 2844 Telephone: (02) 6375 1403
	Swan Motel Dunedoo 58 Bolaro St Dunedoo NSW 2844 Telephone: (02) 6375 1112 Facsimile: (02) 6375 1041 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Royal Hotel 60 Bolaro St Dunedoo NSW 2844 Telephone: (02) 6375 1109
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Blue Biddy Bed & Breakfast 38 Cobbora St Dunedoo NSW 2844 Telephone: (02) 6375 1595 Facsimile: (02) 6375 1442
	Caravan Parks
	Dunedoo Caravan Park Bolaro St Dunedoo NSW 2844 Telephone: (02) 6375 1455
	Cafés
	White Rose Cafe 48 Bolaro St Dunedoo NSW 2844 Telephone: (02) 6375 1017