Walhalla, 1868.

Aireys Inlet-Anglesea Coach, Aireys Inlet District, Victoria, Australia, Dec 1902

Post & Telegraph Office, Walhalla, Victoria

Queenscliff, Victoria

Queenscliff, Victoria

Cobb & Co Lodge, beautifully crafted within the original stables, Queenscliff, Victoria

ca. 1885 Bushwalkers, Lorne District, Victoria

Sovereign Hill Historic Village, Ballarat

Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat

Sovereign Hill Historic Village, Ballarat

F. B. Clapp, one of the many proprietors of Cobb and Co., Sovereign Hill Historic Village, Ballarat

Clunes Bottle Museum, Clunes

Clunes Museum

Clunes Bottle Museum, Lee Medlyn Bottle Collection, Clunes

Clunes Museum

James Maiden Crossing to Echuca, Moama

Junction Hotel remains, Cobb and Co. Booking Office, James Maiden Crossing, Moama

1860 River Murray Paddlesteamer

ca. 1875 Abercrombie House, Bathurst New South Wales. Source: Christopher Morgan, Abercrombie House

1890 Map of New South Wales railways, showing coach and other routes from the various stations. ​Source: Courtesy State Library of New South Wales

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1863 Map of Queensland, Australia. ​Source: Engraved & printed for Pugh’s Book Almanac by Thomas Ham & Co., Courtesy Trove

1880 Map of Queensland. Source: Pugh's Queensland almanac, directory and law calendar. 1862-1866, Theophilus P. Pugh, Courtesy Trove

Circa 1920 Map of Cobb and Co. route from Longreach to Jundah. Source: Courtesy State Library Queensland

Supporting local tourism ... along the tracks of Cobb and Co.

​Places to visit Victoria

🏁 Walhalla, Vic

• The Gold-Era Corner Store & Museum. Main Road, Walhalla. 3825 ... Ghost Tours, Old Post & Telegraph Office, The Long Tunnel and Extended Mine Tour "This small Gippsland town was established  during the Gold-rushes of the mid 1800s and has boomed and busted in spectacular fashion. Today, Walhalla provides its visitors with a beautiful  living snapshot of the Victorian Gold Era. It offers an authentic visitor experience, representing the juxtaposition between the natural and built environment. The area is rich in natural attractions and Walhalla provides a base from which visitors can explore the region. Every year, over 100,000 people visit Walhalla, with a growing interest from international and interstate visitors."

​Heritage Spotlight No. 1

• 1900 “It is said that competition is the life of trade, and accordingly Messrs Cobb and Co. on Monday last reduced the fares between Moe and Walhalla to 9s 6d return and 5s single ... On Tuesday Mr. A. Grant had his coach ticketed with ‘Fares to Walhalla, 5s.’ and on the following day Mr Bain had a placard thus ‘Fares as usual, 8s single, return 13s 6d. No Sweating.’ It is needless to add that the rivalry is causing much amusement locally.” (Walhalla, 5 Oct 1900, p.4)

🏁 Queenscliff, Vic

• Cobb and Co. Lodge. 37 Learmonth Street,  Queenscliff, 3225. A hidden treasure, originally built in 1862 as the Cobb and Co. stables behind the hotel in Hesse Street. Kudos to Joel and Clare Howell for their commitment to restoring this historic site. Original walls, windows, fireplace, and the location of the well have been preserved. Most recently, the building has focused on accommodation facilities for groups and individual stays. 

Heritage Spotlight No. 2

• 1887 “COACH ACCIDENT On The Queenscliff Road. An accident which might have resulted more seriously than it fortunately did occurred on Saturday afternoon on the Queenscliff road, east of Kensington Hill, one of Cobb and Co.’s coaches, laden with 21 passengers, overturning in the middle of the roadway and depositing its occupants in a heap in the dust. It appears that, in accordance with instructions received, the firm named despatched a four-horse coach, driven by Mr T. Vines (son of Mr. J. Vines, one of the proprietary) to the railway station at midday on Saturday, to meet a party of Wesleyan clergymen and laymen from Melbourne, who wished to be driven to Barwon Heads, to decide upon a site for a clergymen’s sanatorium at Ocean Grove—the name given to a very picturesque part of the coast on the Geelong side of the Barwon Heads, where it is intended to erect a Grand Coffee Palace which is designed as an appropriate seaside retreat for metropolitans at suitable seasons of the year ... Everything went smilingly until Kensington Hill had been passed, when, as the team were bowling grandly along the level road, the near fore-axle suddenly broke at the collar washer and caused the near wheel to give way, the result being that the coach swerved and turned completely over, the passengers being thrown out in a huddled heap. The driver was precipitated between the wheelers and fell straddle-legs on the pole, but with immediate presence of mind he ‘scrambled’ over the back of the ‘off-sider,’ and leaped, clear of the team, to the ground ... The horses bolted with the fore-carriage, which became detached, but their mad career was stopped suddenly by a mob of cattle which occupied the roadway about one hundred yards ahead. When the frightened animals were thus compelled to slacken their pace, two of the cattle drovers seized the heads of the leading pair and brought them to a standstill ... ” (Coach Accident on the Queenscliff Road, 21 Nov 1887, p.3)

🏁 The Great Ocean Road, Vic

• Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne ...  on the Great Ocean Road.

Heritage Spotlight No. 3

• 1879 Cobb and Co.’s coaches—Lorne
• 1902 ... Cobb & Co. Seaside Coaches--Geelong, Torquay, Anglesea, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Clifton Springs, Queenscliff, Portarlington, and Drysdale. 
• 1905 ... “Cobb and Co.'s—Ballarat to Torquay, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Anglesea, and Airey’s Inlet. Geelong, Torquay, Anglesea and Airey’s Inlet ... Cobb and Co.’s Office, Craig’s Stables.

(Excerpts from 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Back to the Beginning')
​🏁 Ballarat, Vic

• Craig's Royal Hotel "Located on historic Lydiard Street in the heart of Ballarat, Craig’s Royal Hotel is the legendary Australian gold-rush era grand hotel. Built in 1862 on the site of Bath’s Hotel, Ballarat’s first officially licensed pub, Craig’s has been a goldfield icon since Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, slept in its ornately decorated rooms in 1867 and Dame Nellie Melba famously sang from its balcony in 1908. Host to poets, princes and prime ministers over its 160 year history, the hotel is a true icon of the Victorian period. Now, after 5 years extensive restoration, the magnificent accommodation, dining, meeting and banquet facilities are re-establishing Craig’s as the finest boutique heritage hotel in the region."

Heritage Spotlight No. 4

• 1891 “Cobb and Co.'s Livery and Letting Stables ... P. Hodgetts, Manager. (Vines and M’Phee) ... Telephone Craig’s Royal Hotel Stables—No. 188. Forester’s George Hotel Stables—No. 188
• Cobb and Co. ... Seaside Excursion Tickets ... Ballarat to Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Clifton Springs, Portarlington ... Cobb and Co.’s Office, Craig’s Stable
• Cobb and Co. Ballarat and Miner’s Rest
• Connect with Victorian Railways Cobb and Co.’s Coaches ... Linton to Skipton, Streatham, O’Meara’s; Railway Time-Table for March ... Ballarat to Melbourne, Geelong to Ballarat, Geelong to Melbourne, Ballarat to Stawell, Ballarat to Maryborough, Ballarat to Buninyong, Ballarat to Waubra, Ballarat to Linton, Ballarat to Daylesford, Ballarat to Portland” Advertised on the same page “BALLARAT SANITARY AND DEODORISING COMPANY ... Emptying pans ... Dead horses removed ... Manufacture of the Jubilee Disinfectant ... All orders promptly attended to” (Advertising, 25 Mar 1891, p.1)
• 1898 "Craig's Royal Hotel is properly described as being one of the oldest and most notable landmarks of Ballarat, to which may be added the statement that it is one of the finest and most comfortably managed hotels in Victoria ... Another feature of this portion of the house is a large drawing room reserved for ladies ... A beautiful hall, known as the Princes' Room, as a souvenir of the visit of the two sons of the Prince of Wales some years ago, is on the second floor. " (Craig's Royal Hotel, 26 Feb 1898, p.9)

​🏁 Ballarat, Vic

• The Gold Museum, Sovereign Hill "has transformed to two centres of deep learning and research that include the nationally significant Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades and Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections. The Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections will build on Sovereign Hill’s rich collections and provide visitors with greater accessibility to the culturally significant collection. The Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections sits side by side the Rare Trades Centre providing an opportunity to connect contemporary practice with the richness of the entire museum collection." 

Heritage Spotlight No. 5

• Proprietors of Cobb and Co. —1861 F. B. Clapp and Co. ... now known as Australian Stage Company, 16 Jan 1861-25 Jan 1861, partners William Randle, Cyrus Hewitt, William Williams, Matthew M’Caw, John R. Ricards, jun., John Halfey, A. L. Blake, F. B. Clapp, G. B. Perkins, William Woods, Thomas Ogilvie, J. D. Robinson, Hugh M’Phillimy, C. C. Skarratt, T. A. Lascelles, J. T. Fallen, David Jones, Walter Craig, Alexander Kelly, Charles Croaker, B. H. Fernald, William Malcolm, Joel Tompkins, Oliver Cooper, J. L. Huntley, Francis Tozer, as at 7 May 1860

​(Excerpt from 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Back to the Beginning')

• "Francis Boardman Clapp, was born in Massachusetts (U.S.A.), and migrated to Australia in 1853 (a year before the first Australian railway line was opened, between Melbourne and Sandgate, now Port Melbourne). He came out in a 600-ton sailing ship, which was forced into Rio with yellow fever and a sprung leak, causing Clapp to mourn his selection of Australia instead of California. Clapp worked first with the historic Cobb and Co. coaches, which ran the gauntlet of bushrangers during the gold rush ... Isabelle Pierce, also born in Massachusetts, came out to Melbourne with her father and mother in 1869, and there married Francis Boardman Clapp. Harold Winthrop ... is one of three sons.” (Clapp: Railwayman with a one-track mind, 25 Aug 1945, p.10)

🏁 Clunes, Vic

• Clunes Museum. 70 Bailey Street, Clunes. Another hidden treasure ... only $3 entry! "The Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles Collection consists of over six thousand old and historical bottles and other related objects. Dating from 1500 A.D. to present time the bottles cover all types of beverages including beer, wine & spirit, aerated waters, preserves, condiments, ginger beer, chemist and drug companies." Also includes gold fields information and other artefacts.

Heritage Spotlight No. 6

• By 1851, excitement had spread further into Victoria: “Gold has been found in quantities at Mount Alexander, Clunes, and Buninyong, throughout an extent of country 30 miles in length ... we think we are justified in supposing that the Australian Gold Fields will rival, if they will not speedily excel, the world famous fields of California.” (News from the Diggings, 29 Sep 1851, p.2) 
• 1860 Cobb and Co.’s Telegraph Lines of Royal Mail Coaches—Geelong and Ballarat ... Smythe’s Creek, Carngham, Brown’s, Firey Creek, Ararat, Pleasant Creek, Creswick, Back Creek, Clunes, Daisy Hill, Maryboro’, Castlemaine. (Excerpt from 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Back to the Beginning') [2025 Locals say stables were located behind the Club Hotel.]
• In 1877 "The Post-office Department has notified the Clunes Council that a new post and telegraph office at that town is not considered necessary. The present building is really unsafe; large fissures are in the walls, and the flooring and verandah are rotten. Several of the doors within the building cannot be opened or shut through subsidence of the partition walls. The conveniences for the public to transact business are also disgraceful. And yet the 'powers that be' say a new building is not necessary." (Clunes, 1 Jan 1877, p.4
• By 1890 "The long-promised telegraph office will be opened for the transaction of business this week." (Clunes, 26 Feb 1890, p.4)

​🏁 Moama Echuca

• Port of Echuca - Wharf, Paddlesteamers & Museum "The Port of Echuca is a living monument to the 1870s when it was the third-largest port in Australia outside Sydney and Melbourne. Authentic paddlesteamers depart daily from the Echuca Wharf, which originally extended 332 metres in length in the 1880s. Home of the TV series All the Rivers Run, the Port of Echuca offers a glimpse of what life was really like in the late 1800s. With the Discovery Centre, steam-powered exhibits, and daily guided tours, it is an attraction not to be missed."​ 

Heritage Spotlight No. 7

• 1860 “JAMES MAIDEN ... it was in the year 1840 when he first crossed the Murray ... he was always recognised as a very superior man for his station: possessed of great shrewdness, or what is denominated ‘natural talent’ with more than an average share of mental and physical energy ... The Murray here, as in its whole length, was without a punt ... crossing this fine stream in the frail bark canoe; but Maiden slightly improved this by building a small punt, which he, for a time, worked himself ... This was in the year 1843 ... By diligently plying this little punt for two years, Maiden was enabled to build the large one so well known throughout these colonies as Maiden’s Punt. He now removed the small punt to the Edward River, at Deniliquin, and thus he had the command of the two crossing places; following up his good fortune he in July, 1846, opened his licensed house the ‘Junction Inn’ and Maiden's worldly prosperity improved rapidly ... With limited capital, however, he commenced the enterprise, by gradually creeping onwards, boldly but cautiously making his purchases ... Stock alone have not occupied his attention; but in stations and land in fee-simple he has invested largely; he has purchased seventeen runs, for one of which alone he paid forty thousand guineas! He owns 18,000 head of horned cattle, many thousands of sheep, about 500 horses, and has in his employ about 100 men, nearly all of whom are occupied in driving stock; he owns lands in various parts, of New South Wales and Victoria, which in itself would make him a wealthy man; all the township of ‘Moama,’ or Maiden’s Punt, save a few allotments, is his; he is still a publican and postmaster; in fact, it is difficult to say what he is not, excepting that he is not an idler ... Maiden makes it no secret that he can neither read nor write ... His public house, like himself, has crept on apace from its original size to a large inn.”
• 1867 “ECHUCA ... Mr. Hopwood, personally, crossed in Cobb's coach coach on the punt to-day, with the mails. The ferry is now open for traffic. The pontoon bridge, for sheep crossing, will be ready early next week.”
• ​1870 “ The Murray was on Tuesday evening 37ft. above summer level.. Some idea of the extent of the flood may be gained when it is stated the highest point registered in the September flood on the wharf gauge was 34ft. 10in. And the river is still rising ... Moama is completely under water. There are at least 4t. in the Junction Hotel and the court-house, and the only dry piece of ground is situated at the Horse-shoe Bend.”
• 1872 “Junction Hotel, Moama. Bath-room, and all the usual requisites of a First-class Family Hotel. Booking Office for Cobb and Co.'s Coaches.”​
  

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​Places to visit New South Wales

​ ​ 🏁 Bathurst, NSW

• Abercrombie House, a Historic Home "An Australian heritage treasure in Bathurst, NSW ... One of the top three tourist attractions of Bathurst ... Home of the Morgan Family for half a century ... See gardens, paths and outbuildings ... Explore the reception rooms, grand staircase, ballroom, first floor bedrooms and corridors ..." featured in Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The New South Wales Headquarters ​(Book 3: In & Around Bathurst) 
• The Bathurst District Historical Society Museum Archives and Bookshop are located in the East Wing of the heritage listed Bathurst Courthouse, designed by Colonial Architect James Barnett.  The Courthouse building is in the middle of the CBD of Bathurst and is just one of the many heritage listed buildings in the town. The Society is dedicated to preserving, displaying and telling the story of the rich history and heritage of Bathurst and the surrounding area, and is the premier historical museum in the Central West of NSW. 
• "Museums Bathurst - a diverse group of local Museums operated by Bathurst Regional Council ...  Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst Rail Museum ... Step into the home of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his wife, Elizabeth ... Chifley Home and Education Centre is a 1940s time capsule ..."

🏁 Guglong, NSW 

• Holtermann Museum "Viewing of Holtermann Collection Photographs" ... over 500 photographs of the local area ...
• Gulgong Pioneers Museum "the most significant items in our collection are our buildings. We have three original relocated buildings, and an original in situ streetscape. These buildings capture the essence of the early history in Gulgong in a far stronger way than any of our articles. Of our articles, we have key collections of machinery, textiles, printing equipment and photographs. Our other features include multi media presentations, local history information and volunteer activity..."

🏁  Uralla, NSW

• "McCrossin's Mill Museum Built in 1870, McCrossin’s Mill is a lovingly restored three storey flour mill which now houses a multi-award winning Museum, Gallery and Function Centre. Many locals once believed the 'Old Mill' to be haunted. Now it is hauntingly beautiful."

🏁 Glenn Innes, NSW

• ​History House Museum and Research Centre—​Land of the Beardies "It is thought that the origin of the term ‘Land of the Beardies’ comes from the book on the history of Glen Innes, The Land of ‘The Beardies’: Being The History of the Glen Innes District, published in 1922 by Ernest Christian Sommerlad CBE, then editor of the Glen Innes Examiner newspaper (a copy is on display in the museum hallway)...."

🏁 Tenterfield, NSW

• ​School of Arts Cinema & Museum "The Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts is a must see for visitors to Tenterfield, and offers a fresh and exciting approach to Australian history, culture and environment, with a focus on Federation."
• Thunderbolt's Hideout "Fred Ward, better known as Captain Thunderbolt, was the longest roaming bushranger in Australia’s history. He was very familiar with the Tenterfield region, using it as both a hideout and hunting ground for his hold-ups. The many caves and bushy hideouts across New England were some of Thunderbolt’s favourites, and the one near Tenterfield is one of the easiest to access ..."

🏁 Liston, NSW

• Cobb and Co. Coach & Collectables Museum Liston is located on The Great Northern Road, the Cobb and Co. route that joined Sydney to Brisbane in the 1800s. Horse change stations in the district included Tenterfield, Boonoo Boonoo, Wilson’s Downfall, Maryland and Warwick. In the heart of Liston, N.S.W., is the small Cobb and Co. Coach & Collectables Museum featured in Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Great Northern Road ​(Book 1: Tenterfield to Warwick)

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​Places to visit Queensland

🏁 Stanthorpe, Qld

• Stanthorpe Heritage Museum "The Award winning Stanthorpe Heritage Museum has two collections of national significance and one of state significance. Subjects include pastoral, tin mining, orcharding, military, Aboriginal, Italian, Red Cross, medical, ‘Make-do’ and social history. The Shepherd’s Hut (1842), Gaol (1876), School Residence (1894) Ardmore House (1920) Heath House (1940) Council Chambers (1914), Telecom building are incorporated into the complex ..."

🏁 Warwick, Qld

• The Warwick Museum "We have a collection of old buildings which show the variety of furniture, clothing, implements etc. which illustrate how people lived in the past. Outdoors, the old threshing machines, ploughs, carts and wagons give a picture of life at that time and show the ingenuity and strength these early pioneers demonstrated to make this settlement successful. The main building of the museum is 'Pringle Cottage’ circa 1870. It was built by John McCullock, a stone mason from Scotland. He also built several other sandstone buildings of significant heritage value in Warwick: The Abbey of the Roses which was the Convent of Mercy, the Town Hall, the Uniting Church and the Church of England ... " ​

🏁 Glengallan, Qld

• Glengallon Homestead and Heritage Centre "Restored from ruin in 2001, the iconic Glengallan House emerges from the ruins of the 1867 sandstone mansion as a unique heritage experience. Re-live the Glengallan story from squattocracy to farmer settlement through an innovative interpretation that allows the place to tell its own story. Open 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday to Sunday, Glengallan is an exceptional venue for day-trippers, tour groups, school visits, reunions, weddings, workshops, seminars, markets and rallies; available for garden weddings and professional photography ..."

🏁 Toowoomba, Qld

• Queensland Museum Cobb + Co, Toowoombam This museum is part of the Queensland Museum Network and is home to the National Carriage Collection. Open 9:30am to 4pm daily  27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba, Qld 

          Phone (07) 4659 4900

• The Cobb & Co Tourist Drive is a scenic route between between Ipswich and Toowoomba via the Lockyer Valley.

🏁 Murphy's Creek, Qld

• Jessie's Cottage Local History Museum We preserve important artefacts and community history. Normal visiting days, Saturday & Sunday mornings 10am to 12pm.

​🏁 Laidley Pioneer Village and Museum, Qld

• "This was the first of such heritage villages in Queensland. The museum features a unique collection of machinery and old wares from our early pioneers. Displays include restored wagons, a fully furnished 110 year old year school. Other displays include an authentic police station with restraints display, Vintage Linn Tractor-C 1928 (Restored and operational). Located at Pioneer Street, Laidley Qld."

🏁 Roma, Qld

• The Big Rig—​Oil and Gas Museum, featured in Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Western Run ​(Book 3: Brisbane, Toowoomba, Roma & Charleville). Roma was a horse change station along the western run of Cobb and Co., from Brisbane to the Queensland outback. Other change stations included Drayton, Toowoomba, Dalby, Condamine, Yuelba, Surat and Charleville. Today in Roma, Qld, you will find The Big Rig—Australia’s Living History of Oil and Gas Exploration. Located at The Big Rig is the ‘Lenroy’ old slab hut that once stood on Clark’s Creek, ‘Lenroy’, Hodgson Qld. 

🏁 Surat, Qld

• Cobb & Co Changing Station Steeped in history with links to Cobb & Co and the ‘boom time’ of the wool growing industry, Surat is an ideal destination for anyone wishing to reconnect with history of the pioneering spirit of life on the land. The Cobb & Co Changing Station – original site of the Cobb & Co Store and drop-off point for coach travellers and goods, houses a museum depicting lifestyles of yesteryear, is home to a 14-seater Cobb & Co coach and houses an amazing 25,000 litre freshwater aquarium, social history museum and regional art gallery.

🏁 Charleville, Qld

• Charleville Historic House  There aren’t too many buildings in Charleville that can boast a history as long and colour as the Charleville Historic House Museum. Dating back to 1887 the building was purpose built as Charleville’s first national bank, before it went onto become a private boarding house until the 1970’s when it was purchased by the Charleville and District Historical Society. It then became the museum it is today. Filled to the brim with treasures of yesteryear, some dating back as far as the 1800’s, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find and it’s well worth your time to take a look.
  Many of the original features of the bank still remain which include marble fireplaces and the vault. The display is completed with a large early day machinery display in the grounds including a life size replica Cobb & Co Coach, Rail Ambulance and Steam Engine. Located at 89 Alfred Street, Charleville Qld 4470. 

🏁 Longreach, Qld

• The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame "The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is Australia’s premier outback heritage institution. Since its opening in 1988, the Hall of Fame has played host to over one million interstate and international visitors – providing each one with a spectacular outback experience. Situated in Queensland’s central western town of Longreach, the museum, stunningly constructed from timber, stone and corrugated iron, is truly reminiscent of the outback. With its unique design, the Hall of Fame stands comfortably amongst the rugged yet vibrant rural landscape ..."​

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