About the Book
From when the first of Cobb's coaches left Melbourne until the last coach ran from Yeulba to Surat, "a nation has almost been built, and the old line of coaches played a very big part in its building. Cobb's coaches could not wait for roads or bridges or crossings, they went out and made their own tracks for hundreds of miles. Rain hail or shine, mud dust or flood, it was all the same to Cobb's drivers and wild, quiet, or medium quiet horses had to do their 'stage'."
Journey through stories of 'bail-ups' by bushrangers, floods, coach accidents, amusing anecdotes and the like, with a focus on the men, and the occasional woman, who handled the ribbons. They "were no ordinary type, the men of Cobb and Co., not merely steerers of horses, but highly interesting fellows who, from long and intimate observation along their stages, through ear as well as eye ... could entertain their passengers right through their journeys."
The driver was usually "a man of firmness, activity and decision, with a most intimate knowledge of every road, rut, and stump on his line-his line being a distance of a day's drive, say about eighty miles, along which horses are changed as he travels backwards and forwards every twelve to fifteen miles. The pace travelled at by the coaches is about 6 to 6 l/2 miles an hour whilst going, or 5 miles an hour including stoppages to change horses, and for necessary meals to passengers."
Over 8OO of Cobb's drivers, from across Australia, have been identified in this book, ensuring that the Cobb and Co. story is not "mouldering away in its own dust in some long forgotten place."
Note: Authenticity has been maintained as spelling, punctuation and grammar are as per historical sources, while descriptive language is a highlight throughout the book series. These features, in themselves, further enhance the story of change over time. In addition, the development in photography, including availability and quality of past photographs, is evident.
Table of Contents:
Author's Note
Cobb and Co. in Australia - Coaching, Coaches, Drivers, Driving Methods, Delivery of Mails, Change Stations; A move to the 'iron horse' ... and then to the 'motor buggies'
Chapter One: Drivers A-B, 'Long Jim of Cobb & Co.'
Chapter Two: Drivers C, 'Here's a song of Cobb and Co.'
Chapter Three: Drivers D, 'The Lights of Cobb & Co.'
Chapter Four: Drivers E-G, Jehu and His Team
Chapter Five: Drivers H-I, 'So my mind goes harking backwards to the days of long ago'
Chapter Six: Drivers J-L, 'There was talk of flood, or the fear that sprang'
Chapter Seven: Drivers M-N, 'The Roaring Days'
Chapter Eight: Drivers O-R, 'The Lights of Cobb and Co.'
Chapter Nine: Drivers S-V, 'The Roll Call of Cobb & Co.'
Chapter Ten: Drivers W-Z, 'The Olden Days of Cobb & Co.'
The Best Driver & Photographs
Remembering Cobb and Co.
Cobb and Co.
Many spokes in the wheel
About the Author :
Farmer, teacher, and proud Australian, Hazel Johnson is a passionate history enthusiast devoted to preserving the story of Australia's pioneering past. Her journey into the acclaimed 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.' book series began with a tribute to a bygone era-when a local craftsman built a replica Cobb and Co. coach in Liston, New South Wales. Assisting with the research sparked a lifelong commitment to uncovering historical records that illuminate the lived experiences of Australia's early pioneers. With a deep respect for authenticity, Hazel has meticulously compiled historical writings from 1853 through to the mid-1900s, inviting readers to witness the grit and graft that defined the Cobb and Co. era. From floods and bushranger bail-ups to coach accidents and the relentless challenges of daily life, each volume delivers a vivid, unfiltered glimpse into the spirit that shaped a nation. Celebrated for its historical significance, the series preserves original spelling, punctuation, and grammar-ensuring accuracy and honouring the storytellers of the time. Enhanced by the evolving lens of early photography, 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.' is more than a collection-it's a captivating archive of unyielding courage, hard work, and resilience. Whether presenting at community events or working full-time as a historical researcher, Hazel brings Australia's past to life with clarity, warmth, and a storyteller's heart-infused with deep respect and emotional connection to those who walked the tracks before us. Her work invites readers to take a seat on Cobb's box and embark on an unforgettable journey through a legacy that still echoes across the Australian landscape.
