After bundling up the children and everything we own, including our new pop-up kitchen sink, we set off for our annual camping trip. After a brief detour back home to collect the gumboots we forgot, we hit the highway, to journey about an hour and half north of Brisbane to Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds.
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Camping in Tandur (near Gympie)
No road trip is complete without a toilet stop, so we were excited to find a 13m kangaroo, named Matilda, at the fabulous Traverston Service Centre. This stop, a short 20min from the campgrounds, is a great place to stretch your legs, use the facilities, have a play in the fully fenced playground and of course, get a selfie with Matilda, who you may recognise from the 1982 Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane.
Back on the road we arrived safely at Cobb & Co. and checked in at reception, which was seamless thanks to the friendly staff. When choosing a site consider what is most important to you – do you want seclusion, to be close to the showers/toilets, near reception, next to friends or by the playground. As we were travelling with friends, we surveyed the grounds and chose our camping spot close to where we camped last year. It is worth noting, individual camp sites cannot be booked in advance, so if you have your heart set on a particular camping spot, arrive during the week or early on the day of check-in.
Our priority was to unload the bikes so the kids could entertain themselves riding around the grounds, while the adults set up camp, which thankfully went smoothly.
Campfires can be set up anywhere safe, though you will usually find remnants of previous fires which you can use. All camp sites are unpowered, so don’t forget the esky and ice or a fridge and battery pack/solar panels.
Campfires are permitted at Cobb & Co Nine Mile Camping Grounds
Our days were lazy and usually spent around our camp, with occasional trips up to the playgrounds or reception area. The kids spent most of their time riding around on their bikes and making friends with other children who were also enjoying camping at Cobb & Co.
A new and improved reception area was completed in December 2021 and is now the hub of the campground. There is a large undercover seating area, complete with comfy couches and armchairs where guests can relax with a coffee and a treat while watching the kids play.
A small selection of supplies are available from the little kiosk at reception – shampoo, marshmallows, bread, baby wipes etc as well as some Cobb & Co. merchandise (you can never have too many stubby holders!)
Reception is also where you can find out about daily activities. The ‘Cobbapillar’ train leaves from here and the farmyard and museum are also nearby. The main amenities (hot water showers, flushing toilets and a camp kitchen) are also located next to the reception area.
Despite very frequent bursts of rain, and steady rain overnight, our camp site remained relatively dry, though there were plenty of opportunities for mud play in the areas surrounding the camp (it was at this point I was extremely grateful we doubled back for the gumboots!) Thankfully, there is always the opportunity for a hot shower when the mud takes over your little people.
Many families choose to shower their children around 4pm before it starts getting dark and cold, and as there are only a few showers available, be prepared for a little bit of a wait, or come back at a quieter time. Even better, get the men to shower the kids in the male showers, as the queues seem to be shorter there.
I think the best part is the kids are easily entertained, which makes for happy parents. If they are not riding bikes, playing on the playground, looking for wildlife, making new friends or giggling on the ‘Cobbapillar’, they are patting the animals or kicking the footy.
Overall, and despite the rainy weather, we thoroughly enjoyed our camping trip at Cobb & Co. It is far enough away from Brisbane to feel like you are in the bush, without having to navigate steep and windy roads. There is also a wonderful balance of planned activities and free time, all of which are free for paying guests to enjoy. It really is a wonderful place for families to have an authentic camping experience, while also having the luxuries of showers and flushing toilets, not to mention a cheese platter and hot coffee!
Accommodation Options at Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds
Camping sites (all unpowered)
- Over 50 acres of camping space
- Set up wherever you like, within reason (individual sites not bookable)
Luxury tents (unpowered)
- Sleeps between 4-6
- Linen provided
- Veranda with seating
- LED solar lighting
- Gas burner (BYO gas bottle or hire for a fee)
- Outdoor fire area
- Minimum two-night stay (three nights on long weekends)
Breezeways (unpowered)
- Sleeps 4 – 6
- 2 bedrooms (separated by an undercover area)
- Linen provided
- LED Solar lighting
- Undercover outdoor fire pit and cooking area
- Gas burner (BYO gas bottle or hire for a fee)
Gypsy Wagons (powered)
- Sleeps four
- Linen provided
- Fridge
- Gas burner (BYO gas bottle or hire for a fee)
- Cooking utensils
- Table
- Outdoor fire pit
- Minimum two-night stay
Single Cabin Tents (unpowered)
- Sleeps 2
- LED solar lighting
- Linen included
Cobb and Co camping map
Find a link to the Cobb and Co camping map to make it easier for you to plan the best spot for you!
Facilities at Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds
- Main facilities (near reception area)
- Flushing toilets
- Hot and cold showers
- Individual toilets (portaloos) located around the grounds
- Two camp kitchens – unpowered (BBQ, gas burners, sinks)
- Rubbish bins provided throughout the grounds
- Filtered drinking water station (for containers only)
- Two playgrounds
- Children’s bike track
- Waterslide (seasonal)
- Billabong and creek
- Coffee bar
- Kiosk (selling ice, wood, snacks etc)
- Dogs may be permitted (ring for approval) <although they are not allowed with a luxury tent booking>
Activities to enjoy at Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds
Whether you are visiting during the week, on a long weekend or over the school holidays, there is always something to do at Cobb & Co. Of course you can choose to kick back, relax and be at one with nature, but if you are after a little something extra there are plenty of activities on offer. While some are only offered on weekends and during the holidays, others are available all year round. Check the sign at reception for daily activities and times.
Bike Riding
Bike riding around the grounds of Cobb & Co. is a popular activity among visitors, especially the children. There are many dirt tracks, which are shared with vehicles, though thankfully there are not many cars moving about (except when checking in and checking out). A little bike track, darting under bridges and over jumps weaves around the playground and is sure to entertain the daredevil children. BYO bikes and helmets.
Playgrounds
Cobb & Co. has two playgrounds onsite, one near reception/bike track and the other (the pirate ship playground) down the other end of the grounds. Both playgrounds are fun for young children and easily accessed on foot or by bike.
Water Activities at the Billabong
Bring your kayaks, inflatables, S.U.P. or just your bathers and cool off while having fun in the freshwater billabong. There are no lifeguards on duty so parental supervision is a must.
Train
Don’t miss out on a ride around the campgrounds on the colourful train, aptly named ‘Cobbapillar.’ Children (and adults) are invited to line up near reception at the designated time (check with reception on arrival) and climb aboard the red and green train for a fun filled, and rather unexpected, journey around the grounds. The train only runs for an hour or so each time, and to make sure everyone gets a go, guests are restricted to one ride each session. With the music pumping and the driver ‘entertaining’ the passengers, you will hear plenty of giggles and screams as the ‘Cobbapillar’ darts around the grounds.
Cobbs Farmyard
Just near the main reception area, you can find Cobbs Farmyard, which is home to some lovable goats and cheeky chickens. Enter the farmyard to pat the goats (making sure to close the gate behind you) or check out the chickens as the peck around the yard. You can even peek into the ‘Hen’s Parlour’ to see if they have laid any eggs. Feeding time is a special time to get up close and personal with the goats, cuddle the chickens or even pat the horse, so be sure to check at reception for feeding times.
Slip and Slide
Cobb & Co. guests can slip and slide their way down the slide, which is operational at certain times during the school holidays and weekends.
Old Cobb Museum
Cobb & Co. has a large collection of farming memorabilia, not only housed in the small museum, but also dotted around the grounds. Guests are welcome to wander around the museum and marvel at the relics from yesteryear and can even sit on a saddle and see what it would be like to ride a horse.
Making the Most of Your Stay at Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds
- Bring the bikes, especially for the kids (don’t forget the helmets)
- Get up early to roam the outskirts of the grounds to witness the local kangaroos in their natural habitat.
- BYO firewood, as nothing beats a campfire (alternatively bags of firewood can be purchased from reception for $15)
- Reception now has scones, a small selection of bakery goods and cheese platters to purchase, so treat yourselves and relax with your favourite drink and tasty snack.
- Generators are permitted for a short time throughout the day but must be off before 6pm.
- Day visitors are welcome, for a small fee of $10 per car, between 8am-8pm weekends and 8am – 5pm on weekdays.
Getting to Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds
Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds can be found at Tandur, less than 20km from Gympie.
Access to the campgrounds does require vehicles to travel on a dirt road, so prepare for your vehicle to need a good wash when you get home.
If you are coming from Brisbane:
- Take exit 253 off the Bruce Highway, and head along Traverston Road toward Cooran
- Travel 4.5km then turn left onto Tandur – Traveston Road (look for the yellow Cobb & Co signs)
- At the T intersection turn right onto Tandur Road
- Follow the road, turning right onto the dirt road (Tandur Road)
- At the next T intersection turn right onto Noosa Road
- Cobb & Co is the first property on your right after the bridge.
Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds are located at 1484 Noosa Rd, Tandur QLD 4570. Find out more at https://cobbandcocamping.com.au/.
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