Experience
Cobb & Co Tourist Drive in SE Queensland
Cobb & Co Tourist Dive
Experience the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive in South East Queensland, this is the route that travellers aboard a Cobb & Co Coach travelled over 140 years ago. Today modern day travellers can experience this historical 1860’s Royal Mail coach route on an enjoyable and leisurely self-drive day trip from Ipswich on the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive.
Pick up a map from Lake Apex Visitor Information Centre in Gatton or the Plainland Visitor Information Centre at the Travel Centre on the Warrego Hwy in Plainland and then follow the distinctive Wagon Wheel signs to find your way.
Staging Posts are located along the route where you can stop 7 days a week for public toilet facilities and refreshments, Cobb & Co passengers needed occasional stops along this journey just as we do today and the designated and sign posted ‘Staging Posts’ provide this. Stop at the three locations in Rosewood, Forest Hill and Gatton for food, drink and public toilets.
Lockyer Valley
Head true west for about an hour from Ipswich into the region known as “Australia’s Salad Bowl”, the Lockyer Valley.
Possessing some of the most fertile soil in the world, the Lockyer Valley has a rich natural beauty and interesting history.
Take the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive that follows the railway line and original road from Ipswich to Toowoomba, traversing the Lockyer Valley. You will see heritage-listed pubs and hotels constructed as resting points for travellers heading west.
Turn off onto Murphys Creek Road and drive into the beautiful town of Murphys Creek. Stop at Jessie’s Cottage, an original pioneering-era house museum. Then continue along Murphy’s Creek Road to Spring Bluff Historic Railway Station. This heritage-listed venue features beautiful landscaped gardens, spectacular valley views and excellent public picnic facilities.
From Spring Bluff, loop back to the Lockyer Valley via Toowoomba, considering the efforts of past workers constructing nine tunnels and 47 bridges to bring the railway up the range.
This is just one of the tourist drives available in this area. For more information see Lockyer Valley Visitor Information Centre.
Springfield Lakes Hotel Accommodation is 30-minutes from Ipswich where you can commence your Cobb & Co Drive, with free parking and onsite bar and restaurant. Book your 4.5 star Accommodation in Springfield Lakes.
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