Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — Back to the Beginning (Victoria & the Goldfields)
Gold fever. Untamed wilderness. Legends forged in dust and determination.
Victoria, raw and wild, called to dreamers and fortune seekers. The gold rush ignited a frenzy—quiet settlements transformed into bustling hubs, teeming with ambition. The colony pulsed with energy, crowded with prospectors, their hopes glittering like the very gold they pursued.
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.
Uncover riveting tales of stagecoach regulations, dramatic accidents, floods, fires, and the daring highway robberies that haunted the Cobb and Co. tracks. Discover how the release of rabbits reshaped the countryside forever.
Make a stop in Glenrowan, the site of the Kelly Gang’s infamous last stand. Cobb and Co. driver Bob Grover shared unexpected encounters with Ned Kelly himself, whose reputation didn’t stop him from accepting a quick nip of brandy in exchange for a few words. Relive the dramatic events leading to Kelly’s capture in 1880, culminating in his haunting final statement: "Ah, well, I suppose it has come to this."
Packed with gripping stories, rich history, and the untamed spirit of Australia’s past, this book brings to life a time where courage, resilience, and adventure ruled the road.
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The New South Wales Headquarters (In & Around Bathurst)
Thunderous wheels, cracking whips, and the relentless rhythm of hooves pounding dusty tracks—Cobb and Co. didn’t just carry mail, they carried the heartbeat of a growing nation. As the gold rush fever spread and fortunes were made and lost, James Rutherford seized the moment, carving out a near-monopoly on New South Wales mail contracts. He established Bathurst as his stronghold, driving his company to greatness “with the wind at his back and not a hint of false pride or boastfulness.”
This is a journey not for the faint-hearted. Climb aboard the box seat of a Cobb and Co. coach and feel the pulse of adventure as it rattles over rickety bridges and plunges headlong into the unknown. Witness the bearded and moustached whips thundering into Bathurst in triumph, before time and ‘the iron horse’ overtook their reign.
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?
Take an extended stop at Abercrombie House, an Australian heritage treasure in Bathurst. Built by Major-General William Stewart in the 1820s, it has been home to the Morgan family for more than half a century, where an original Cobb and Co. coach is on loan from Mr. Ray Green. Complete your journey with an appreciation of the rugged, untamed past—where the unyielding courage of the pioneers was the true test of character, and survival demanded hard work, grit, and unwavering resolve.
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Roaring Days !
Step into the ramping, roaring days when the Royal Mail was delivered by the legendary Cobb and Co. Oh, they were good days—rough days, quart pot days, damper days, perhaps—but still, they were big, brave, generous days, as Henry Lawson so aptly put it. Days when the world was wide, and adventure beckoned at every turn.
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.
Embark on a journey that begins with the infamous ‘snake in the trousers’ tale—a legend that never fails to stir a chuckle. Venture through the extraordinary courage of Mrs. Mary Jinks, a mother of twelve who faced every challenge with unshakable resolve, and the misfortunate demise of swagman Tom McBride. Traverse deep, untamed creeks and billabongs—formidable obstacles that tested even the most hardened traveller. Relive the tense ‘Bail up!’ moments experienced by Cobb and Co. coach driver Palmer, who wisely understood the perils of facing bushrangers, during the era spanning 1854 to 1924.
Through countless anecdotes, these stories illuminate the true spirit of the pioneers—their hard work, resilience, and boundless grit, shaping the fabric of early Australia. Every tale offers a glimpse into an era where determination, unyielding courage, and a hearty sense of humour flourished … “What would you like—lamb, ram, sheep, or mutton?”
Gold fever. Untamed wilderness. Legends forged in dust and determination.
Victoria, raw and wild, called to dreamers and fortune seekers. The gold rush ignited a frenzy—quiet settlements transformed into bustling hubs, teeming with ambition. The colony pulsed with energy, crowded with prospectors, their hopes glittering like the very gold they pursued.
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.
Uncover riveting tales of stagecoach regulations, dramatic accidents, floods, fires, and the daring highway robberies that haunted the Cobb and Co. tracks. Discover how the release of rabbits reshaped the countryside forever.
Make a stop in Glenrowan, the site of the Kelly Gang’s infamous last stand. Cobb and Co. driver Bob Grover shared unexpected encounters with Ned Kelly himself, whose reputation didn’t stop him from accepting a quick nip of brandy in exchange for a few words. Relive the dramatic events leading to Kelly’s capture in 1880, culminating in his haunting final statement: "Ah, well, I suppose it has come to this."
Packed with gripping stories, rich history, and the untamed spirit of Australia’s past, this book brings to life a time where courage, resilience, and adventure ruled the road.
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The New South Wales Headquarters (In & Around Bathurst)
Thunderous wheels, cracking whips, and the relentless rhythm of hooves pounding dusty tracks—Cobb and Co. didn’t just carry mail, they carried the heartbeat of a growing nation. As the gold rush fever spread and fortunes were made and lost, James Rutherford seized the moment, carving out a near-monopoly on New South Wales mail contracts. He established Bathurst as his stronghold, driving his company to greatness “with the wind at his back and not a hint of false pride or boastfulness.”
This is a journey not for the faint-hearted. Climb aboard the box seat of a Cobb and Co. coach and feel the pulse of adventure as it rattles over rickety bridges and plunges headlong into the unknown. Witness the bearded and moustached whips thundering into Bathurst in triumph, before time and ‘the iron horse’ overtook their reign.
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?
Take an extended stop at Abercrombie House, an Australian heritage treasure in Bathurst. Built by Major-General William Stewart in the 1820s, it has been home to the Morgan family for more than half a century, where an original Cobb and Co. coach is on loan from Mr. Ray Green. Complete your journey with an appreciation of the rugged, untamed past—where the unyielding courage of the pioneers was the true test of character, and survival demanded hard work, grit, and unwavering resolve.
Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Roaring Days !
Step into the ramping, roaring days when the Royal Mail was delivered by the legendary Cobb and Co. Oh, they were good days—rough days, quart pot days, damper days, perhaps—but still, they were big, brave, generous days, as Henry Lawson so aptly put it. Days when the world was wide, and adventure beckoned at every turn.
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.
Embark on a journey that begins with the infamous ‘snake in the trousers’ tale—a legend that never fails to stir a chuckle. Venture through the extraordinary courage of Mrs. Mary Jinks, a mother of twelve who faced every challenge with unshakable resolve, and the misfortunate demise of swagman Tom McBride. Traverse deep, untamed creeks and billabongs—formidable obstacles that tested even the most hardened traveller. Relive the tense ‘Bail up!’ moments experienced by Cobb and Co. coach driver Palmer, who wisely understood the perils of facing bushrangers, during the era spanning 1854 to 1924.
Through countless anecdotes, these stories illuminate the true spirit of the pioneers—their hard work, resilience, and boundless grit, shaping the fabric of early Australia. Every tale offers a glimpse into an era where determination, unyielding courage, and a hearty sense of humour flourished … “What would you like—lamb, ram, sheep, or mutton?”
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