Built in 1987 as part of the Queensland Museum Network, Cobb+Co Museum showcases a large range of horse-drawn vehicles, as well as other historical artefacts. Modern displays and visiting exhibitions complement the displays from yesteryear, giving families a well-rounded snapshot of what it would have been like around the Darling Downs region in years gone by.
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Proudly standing next door to the stunning Queen’s Park, museum visitors will be greeted by a display of windmills and massive trees, with some trees standing over 25m, including several Bunya Pines. Families can explore, play and learn as they move around the well-kept museum, stopping to get hands-on at a variety of displays.
Cobb+Co Museum Exhibitions and Display
The Cobb+Co Museum is laid out is an easy-to-follow format. After entering and purchasing your tickets, offer the family a toilet stop, so you are not doubling back during your visit, then start exploring.
The first stop, is the Windmill Gallery which houses changing exhibitions. At the time of our visit, the Colour: See the World in New Light exhibition was on (until 22 May 2022).
The National Carriage Factory and Blacksmith Workshops, are where you can see the tools and equipment needed to practice these vintage trades. You can even take part in a hands-on workshops (bookings and payment required).
The Binangar Centre showcases local stories from the Traditional Owners of the Toowoomba region while This is My Heritage area displays the memories and experiences of a variety of Queensland’s Indigenous educators and artists (on until the end of 2022).
The children (and adults) will have loads of fun getting hands-on at the Sciencentre. Their curiosity will be ignited as they peddle bikes to create energy, construct a gravity run, and work out how to get the beachball to float.
Those interested in animals, will be amazed by the remains of Megafauna on display, from predators that used to roam the Darling Downs.
Take a stroll down memory lane as you view the National Carriage Collection, which is home to more than 40 carriages, including carts, buggies, wagons, sulkies, and omnibuses. It is also a great time to remind kids how lucky they are to travel in the comfort of today’s modern vehicles!!
The Coach Stop, is where the kids can have fun, play and explore. They can climb atop a life-size replica horse ‘Socks,’ play in the grocery store, pretend they are riding in a horse drawn carriage, or relax in Harry’s Hideout.
The hallways which join the areas are full of historical artefacts, stories and photographs, so be sure to take a moment to explore these areas as well.
As with many venues, you will ‘exit via the gift shop’ where you can browse or purchase a variety of goodies, before returning to the museums entry and exit point.
Events and Activities at Cobb+Co Museum
If you are looking for fun ways to enhance your visit to Cobb+Co Museum then be sure to check out the museum What’s On Guide. A variety of activities are offered on a regular basis including talks, tours, school holiday events, and hands-on workshops.
Workshops held at the museum are very popular and include blacksmithing, calligraphy, coppering, stain glass lead lighting and leather plaiting, just to name just a few. These can often sell out in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment.
During school term time, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Cobb+Co Museum hold the Little Cobbers program, designed to entertain children under the age of six. Join the group at The Coach Stop area in the museum from 9.15am to discover a special item in the box. The session will revolve around this item including stories and fun activities.
Tours of the museum are held twice a day (10.30am and 2.30pm), with a ‘have a go’ session held at 11.30am. Further details on events and activities can be found by contacting the museum.
Excursions to Cobb+Co Museum
Schools and other groups are invited to experience the museums exhibitions and displays in a fun and educational environment. Specific curriculum-linked learning experiences are available, as are loan kits. For further information contact the museum directly.
Eating at Cobb+Co. Museum
If you arrive with an empty tummy or have worked up an appetite during your museum visit, then we highly recommend a visit to Cobb’s Coffee Shop. The café has a large variety of reasonably priced food, snacks, drinks and cakes, and we can tell you (from personal experience) the food is delicious. The little ones haven’t been forgotten either, with an aptly named, Little Cobbers menu, including favourites such as nuggets and chips, fish and chips, cheeseburgers, sausage rolls or just a simple sandwich.
Cobb’s Coffee shop is open daily 9.30am – 3.30pm, for museum visitors, the general public or takeaway orders.
The Museum Shop
A very well stocked Museum shop is located near the entry of the museum and is well worth a look. You will find books, toys, jewellery, food, teddies, souvenirs and more, with the shop proudly showcasing local and hand-made wares.
Our Review of Cobb+Co Museum
Visiting Toowoomba’s Cobb+Co Museum, was long on our list of places to go, so we were excited to finally be visiting this gem in the Garden City. Our family spent 1 ½ hours at the museum. Even though we visited on a Saturday, the crowds we small, which meant there was no jostling to look at displays and the kids could have plenty of turns with the hands-n exhibitions.
Miss 7 proclaimed her favourite part of the museum was the The Coach Stop play area, especially climbing up on the full-size replica horse ‘Socks’, complete with saddle and stirrups. She also enjoyed doing some puzzles and playing in the grocery store.
Master 9 enjoyed exploring the Sciencentre, where he could get hands-on with a variety of experiments and challenges. One such experiment was seeing how much wind it takes to keep a beach ball afloat. This resulted in lots of jumping, catching and giggles.
As parents, we enjoyed the bright, spacious and very clean facilities at the museum. The flow of the museum means everyone moves around in the same direction, which makes catching up with others easy, in case you stop to linger at one of the exhibits. I loved looking at the variety of historic carriages and carts on display. It also made me appreciate the comfort of our modern day vehicles!
Admission to Cobb+Co Museum
The Cobb+Co Museum is open daily from 9.30am to 4pm, but closed on Good Friday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum, with individual, family and annual passes available. Residents of Toowoomba Regional Council receive FREE entry to Cobb+Co Museum by simply showing proof of residency upon arrival.
Accessibility at Cobb+Co Museum
Access to Cobb+Co Museum is excellent. Accessible parking is available at the front of the museum, with wide doorways, paths and ramps, making manoeuvring wheelchairs and other walking aids manageable. Wheelchair hire is available upon request and free of charge for use within the museum. Service dogs are also welcome.
Toilets, including an accessible toilet, is located near the entrance of the museum, beside the café. Furthermore, a Baby Care Room and Parents Room is also available.
Sensory kits and earmuffs are available for loan from the front counter of the museum for those seeking sensory resources to complement their museum visit.
Where to Find Cobb+Co Museum
Cobb+Co Museum can be found at 27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba, just a stone’s throw from the picturesque Queen’s Park.
The museum can be accessed via car, approximately a 90-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD.
Other transport options include public transport (bus) or by foot from downtown Toowoomba. If you are staying locally, why not ride your bikes and teether them at the unique, penny-farthing bike racks.
There are so many wonderful, family-friendly activities to undertake when visiting the Garden City of Toowoomba, including the stunning Queen’s Park, The Japanese Garden and Picnic Point, just to name a few. For more ideas check out things to do with kids in Toowoomba.
Details on Cobb+Co Museum can be found at www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au
27 Lindsay Street, East Toowoomba Queensland 4350, Australia
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