ALONG THE TRACKS OF COBB AND CO.
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Cobb and Co.​
Heritage Books​


by Hazel Johnson

Step into the world of Cobb and Co.
From the goldfields of Victoria to the outback runs of Queensland, Cobb and Co. coaches carried not only the Royal Mail and passengers, but the stories of a nation taking shape. Bushrangers, floods, fires—and the spirit of adventure. This series invites you to travel those roads—through the eyes of the drivers, passengers, and communities who lived it, in a time shaped by courage, hard work, and resilience. Discover the pioneers who operated 'under the style of Cobb and Co.' and other bold figures who helped shape modern Australia.

History you can feel
Across the series, Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. brings together more than 600 images alongside the stories behind them—heroic accounts, larger-than-life characters, and the quietly remarkable moments that rarely make it into mainstream history books. This isn't history at a distance. These are real people, real places, and real journeys.

What readers are saying
"A historically significant book series by Australia's most acclaimed Cobb and Co. author—an essential read for history enthusiasts." — John Osborne OAM, Toowoomba, Queensland

The books in the series
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — The Great Northern Road (Tenterfield to Warwick)
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — The Western Run (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Roma & Charleville)
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — The New South Wales Headquarters (In & Around Bathurst)
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — Back to the Beginning (Victoria & the Goldfields)
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — The Roaring Days! (Amusing Anecdotes & Tales of Grit and Graft)
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — Cobb's Coach Drivers
  • Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — Queensland Bound (Brisbane & Beyond) (coming soon)

For younger readers & teachers
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — Jimmy the Whip brings the adventure of the gold rush era to life for readers in Years 5–7. The Discover and Learn Edition includes teacher resources fully aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

Along the tracks that built modern Australia ...


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​This book brims with tales of adventure, resilience, and the pioneering spirit that shaped a nation. Cobb and Co. embodies a romance as old as Queensland itself—the rhythmic trot, trot, clicketty-clack of iron-shod wheels and hooves echoing through history, carrying the dreams and destinies of those who travelled its dusty roads ... read more





​"Rain, hail, or shine—mud, dust, or flood—it was all the same to Cobb's drivers." Whether riding with wild, quiet, or barely tamed horses, the journey was never predictable. Feel the dewy breath of early morning, the anticipation of townsfolk gathering as the coach arrived, its wheels rattling over rugged tracks. But beyond the thrill lay moments of sheer terror—the chaos of bolting horses, the heart-stopping sensation of being pitched clean out of the coach, or the battle against pitiless sleet slicing like a thousand sharp-edged knives, cold, wet, and unforgiving ... read more
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​Danger lurked along the way​--broken king-bolts, runaway horses, and shadowy figures stepping from the bush with the chilling cry of ‘Bail up!’ Was a Cobb and Co. coach truly involved in the infamous Escort Robbery? What really happened during the death of bushranger Hall? ... read more

Published in both print and eBook formats







Through this restless surge toward prosperity, Cobb and Co. thundered across the landscape, their iconic coaches rattling over rugged tracks, carrying settlers, mail, and the whispers of adventure. From the thriving streets of ‘Melbourne the Marvellous’ to the desolate roads beyond, Cobb and Co. was more than transportation—it was a lifeline, a legend, an unstoppable force ... read more

​Published in both print and eBook formats
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​Immerse yourself in an array of amusing anecdotes and unforgettable tales that embody the grit & graft of the age. Let the romance and poetic charm of those times sweep you away, breathing life into the spirit and stories of a bygone era ... read more

​Published in print, audio and eBook formats







​With over 800 drivers identified across Australia, this book ensures that the legacy of Cobb and Co. doesn't fade into forgotten history. Recognised for its historical significance, the ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.’ Book Series preserves an era of unyielding determination, fearless driving, and the enduring power of the postal service that bound a nation together ... read more
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Buy set of six Cobb and Co. books

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​Teachers & librarians

​Step into the heart of Australia with ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. – Jimmy the Whip’ ... a vibrant, fast-paced, and family-friendly tale that brings Australian history to life. Set against the backdrop of the gold rush and the legendary journeys of Cobb & Co., this engaging story follows gold seekers chasing their dreams, travellers braving the dusty challenges of coach life, and curious wildlife encountered along the tracks ... read more

Published in print and audio formats
 





This special edition of ‘Jimmy the Whip’ combines engaging storytelling with curriculum-aligned learning ... read more 
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​Audiobooks ... find out more
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Roaring Days! (Amusing Anecdotes & Tales of Grit and Graft)
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Jimmy the Whip
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Cobb and Co Audiobook
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About Hazel Johnson



​Centenary Presentation: Celebrating Cobb & Co.
Author Hazel Johnson delivered a compelling presentation during the Surat–Yuleba Cobb & Co. Festival, held from 16 to 26 August 2024. The event commemorated 100 years since the final horse-drawn coach journey operated by the world-renowned firm Cobb & Co., which ran from Surat to Yuleba.

The presentation was honoured by the presence of Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland; Professor Nimmo; and other distinguished guests.

​Now available in both print and eBook formats:
Along the Tracks of Cobb and Co. – The Roaring Days!

Professor Nimmo, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM & Hazel Johnson,
Professor Nimmo, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Hazel Johnson, at the Presentation by author Hazel Johnson, Cobb & Co Changing Station, Surat, 23 August 2024.

Dr Jim Thompson PSM (Queensland Museum Network CEO), Cr Geoff McDonald (Toowoomba Regional Council, Mayor), Mrs Hazel Johnson (Author), Mr John Osborne OAM. Photo courtesy of John Elliott, photographer/writer.
​Left to right - Dr Jim Thompson PSM (Queensland Museum Network CEO), Cr Geoff McDonald (Toowoomba Regional Council, Deputy Mayor), Mrs Hazel Johnson (Author), Mr John Osborne OAM (Volunteer Guide at Cobb+Co Museum, Toowoomba). Photo courtesy of John Elliott, photographer/writer.





Official Book Launch​
​Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Cobb's Coach Drivers
1 December 2022

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 Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Cobb and Co. stage coaches travelled.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and,
​extend our deep respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.


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Public Group - 'Cobb and Co.'

Thank you for your support in uncovering, preserving, and sharing a vital chapter of Australia’s story.
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