A Celebrating of Australia's Cobb & Co

Over a century since Australia’s last Cobb & Co coach service — relive the journey, the spirit, the heritage.

Retracing the Mail Route. Reviving the Legacy. Ready for 2029.

Cobb & Co Festival -Australia’s Last Run

16th – 25th August 2024

Celebrating 100 years

The Milestone Celebration

In August 2024, the Cobb & Co Festival marked a momentous 100-year anniversary — a centennial tribute to the last horse-drawn Cobb & Co mail coach service in Australia.

For ten unforgettable days (16–25 August), the towns of Surat and Yuleba, and the dusty track between them, came alive with history, spectacle, and community.

This centenary edition was not just an event — it was a living re-enactment of our outback heritage, a journey back in time for locals, descendants, visitors, and storytellers alike.

Celebrating the anniversary of the last Cobb & Co coach service in Australia, the Cobb & Co Festival is a fast-moving, rattling and clattering event celebrating the history and heritage of the Australian bush. It takes place in the small country towns of Surat & Yuleba and along the dusty track in between.

Travel in a horse-drawn carriage, see a bullock team in action, and celebrate a piece of Australia’s unique outback history.

vintage carriage with three people dressed in Cobb and co era clothing

Cobb & Co Festival 2024

Celebrating the anniversary of the last horse-drawn mail coach service in Australia, the Cobb & Co Festival is a fast-moving, rattling and clattering event showcasing the history and heritage of the Australian bush.

It takes place in the small country towns of Surat & Yuleba and along the 76 kilometre dusty bush track in between.

Commencing on Thursday 16th August 2024 with the Cobb & Co Long Table Dinner in Yuleba, the Festival involves bullocks, wagons, a horse-art exhibition, markets, beards, coach rides, gatherings of Cobb & Co descendants and friends where we want to hear your stories, an open-air concert and more…

On Saturday the 23rd August 2024 the horse hooves will be drumming when the journey along the Cobb & Co Way begins as the coach collects the mail from the Surat Post Office, wheels past the Spirit of the River markets, and crosses the bridge to pick up speed on the open road.

Adding to the spectacle are the horse-drawn vehicles and trail riders who are also setting off to tackle the historic track.

On Saturday evening enjoy classic Australian movies at the Surat Recreation Oval, or join the bush poets in Yuleba for dinner and entertainment under the stars.

The Festival Finale comes with hustle and bustle on Sunday as a parade of carriages and riders enter Yuleba. Then the Cobb & Co coach delivers the mail to the Yuleba Post Office, completing the historic re-enactment and celebrating in Yuleba’s main street.

This event combines iconic images of horses, country characters and bushrangers that enable visitors to participate in the story of the development of the outback. It delivers an authentic experience with coach travel from a century ago, immersing everyone in a bush adventure.

Come along in period dress and join us in this unique celebration of Australia’s history.

Step Back in Time with a Special Steam Train Journey!

Cobb & Co are thrilled to announce a unique Steam Train experience on Sunday 25th August as part of the festival’s final day thanks to Queensland Rail and the Australia Railway Historical Society!

Join us for a family friendly experience on Sunday 25 August as a we take a four hour round trip from Yuleba to Roma to and from the festival in time for the Cobb & Co horse drawn cart to meet the train and deliver the mail!

This is a unique family friendly experience and tickets will be selling fast. Don’t miss your chance to ride on this iconic steam train fondly known as Bety and ride in Queensland Rail 100 year old heritage carriages.

Departure: Yuleba Railway Station at 10:30am
Arrival: Roma at 12:00pm
Return: Depart Roma at 12:50pm arriving back in Yuleba at 2:30pm

Tickets: Adults $55, Children $40, Family $175 (two adults and two kids), Concession $50.

Book now to secure your spot Steam Train Tours.

Book online here! – Sunshine Express. Since 1957.

More steam!

For those that are keen for even more Steam Train travel they are also offering the opportunity to travel from Toowoomba to the Cobb & Co Festival in Yuleba. This trip will be three Days of Steam Train Magic from Toowoomba to Miles and then on to Yuleba before returning to Toowoomba.