Cobden Story Trail
The Cobden Story is a self-guided heritage trail exploring the people, businesses, organisations, buildings and places that have shaped Cobden.
More than 80 storyboards are located throughout the town. The signs tell stories ranging from Cobden's development as an important centre of the Western District dairy industry to pioneering families, local businesses, sporting clubs, community organisations and residents who have made significant contributions to the town.
The storyboards can be explored as one extended journey or divided into five shorter trails.
Cobden Story Trail Map
The five trails are:
- Tandarook Loop: A south-bound route through central Cobden with stories including Gaut Motors, the saleyards, Tandarook Botanical Park, Cobdenhealth, Heytesbury House, the sporting precinct, local churches, historic Curdie Street buildings and the Cobden Post Office.
- Wedge Bus Run: Explores the northern part of town and includes stories about Cobden's schools, swimming pool, scouting, Dr Janet van Leerdam and Wedge Buslines.
- Silvester Loop: Leads from the Civic Hall around to Apex Park with stories about local government, the Cobden Pipe Band, SES, T. S. McQuinn and Son, Parlours Hardware, Thompsons Hotel, community organisations and other local identities.
- Lake Loop: Explores the Cobden Lake precinct with stories about the 'Connie' sculpture, Dr Daniel Curdie, Alma MacDonald, Tom and Ida Webster, First Nations history, Connection Rotunda, Cobden Bowling Club and Cobden Angling Club.
- Circuite de Savage: Extends from Vagg Park through the southern and western parts of Cobden and includes a 4 km circuit. Stories include J. H. Vagg, the butter factory, Cobden Aerodrome and Aero Club, South West Kart Club, Cobden Miniature Railway and Mini Golf, Pioneer Park, Cobden Historical Society, Cobden Turf Club, golf club, rail trail, skate park and fire brigade.
The current tourism trail begins with the Wedge Buslines storyboard at 64 Victoria Street on the northern side of Cobden. From here visitors can follow the storyboards south through the town.
Highlights include the Cobden Lake precinct, where signs tell the story of the Cobden Angling Club and local residents Alma MacDonald and Tom and Ida Webster. Alma MacDonald's life included service as a World War II plane spotter and involvement with the Bush Nursing board, while Tom and Ida Webster devoted considerable time to St John Ambulance and other community organisations.
Further south, storyboards include the Rotary Club of Cobden at the Civic Hall, Gaut Motors at 1 Curdie Street and the historic Cobden Post Office at 21 Curdie Street. The Post Office opened on its present site in 1867.
Other stories along Curdie Street include Parlours Hardware, T. S. McQuinn and Son Plumbing and blacksmith Bill Roberts.
Around Cobden Recreation Reserve, storyboards recognise sporting identity Thorold Merrett, community volunteers Jim and Marie Oborne and Peter 'Plumber' Walsh, who became Australia's first hand transplant recipient.
The trail also visits Vagg Park before continuing towards Cobden Miniature Railway. The railway was established after local enthusiasts began planning the attraction in 1995 and officially opened in 2000.
A current Cobden Story map can be downloaded online. Printed information is also available from the Cobden Visitor Information Centre at 33 Curdie Street.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs can accompany walkers but must be kept under control. Keep dogs on a leash wherever signs require it, particularly in busy public areas.
Cobden Story Trail Plaques
The plaques are on both stands and walls (w)
TANDAROOK LOOP
1. Gaut Motors
2. Clarrie Smith/Saleyards
3. Senior Citizens
4. Tandarook Botanical Park
5. Cobdenhealth
6. Dr Jim Reid
7. Heytesbury House
8. Barrett Family
9. Sporting Gallery
10. Junior CFNC (w)
11. Senior CFNC (w)
12. Recreation Reserve (w)
13. Tennis Association (w)
14. Thorold Merrett (w)
15. Marie and Jim Oborne (w)
16. Peter Walsh (w)
17. Cricket Club (w)
18. St Brendan’s Church
19. Eliza Morehouse
20. Bill Roberts
21. St Mary’s Church
22. Nos 25-33 Curdie St
23. Post Office
WEDGE BUS RUN
24. Primary School 2 (w)
25. Cobdenhealth 2 (w)
26. Cobden Story: Making History (w)
27. Lee Family (w)
28. Technical School 2 (w)
29. Crawfords, Steeles and Frank Northeast (w)
30. Primary School 1 (w)
31. Swimming Pool
32. Swiming Club
33. Scouting
34. Dr Janet van Leerdam
35. Wedge Buslines
SILVESTER LOOP
36. Hampden/Heytesbury/Corangamite Shires (w)
37. Pipe Band (w)
38. SES (w)
39. T. S. McQuinn and Son
40. Alderwood Manor
41. Frank Martin
42. Parlours Hardware
43. Thompsons Hotel
44. Robert ‘Bob’ Thompson
45. Churches Crib
46. Kindergarten
47. Progressing Cobden (w)
48. Rotary Club (w)
49. Quota Club (w)
50. CWA (w)
51. Apex Club
LAKE LOOP
52. ‘Connie’ Sculpture
53. Dr Daniel Curdie
54. Alma MacDonald
55. Tom and Ida Webster
56. First Nations
57. Connection Rotunda
58. Bowling Club
59. Angling Club
CIRCUITE DE SAVAGE
60. J. H. Vagg
61. Butter Factory
62. Circuite de Savage
63. GreenCon
64. Aerodrome
65. Aero Club
66. South West Kart Club
67. Miniature Railway/Mini Golf
68. Technical School 1
69. Hampden Specialist School
70. Pioneer Park
71. Historical Society
72. Turf Club
73. Restoration Group
74. Running Rail
75. Golf Club
76. Basketball
77. Night Netball
78. Volleyball
79. Rail Trail
80. Skate Park
81. Fire Brigade
Photos:
Location
64 Victoria Street, Cobden 3266 View Map
Web Links
→ visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/volcaniclakesandplains/local-attractions/the-cobden-story
→ Cobden Story Brochure (PDF)
