Do you have kids who spend more time in front of digital screens than they do outdoors?
Here’s a tip: give their smart devices a holiday, saddle them up and bring them to Cobb & Co 9 Mile – a family-run campground set on 50 acres near Gympie.
From the second you pull up at the rustic reception – also known as the Cobb & Co Supplies Emporium – it’s pretty clear this is a place that embraces old-fashioned traditions.
Host, Sean O’Hanlon, and his family are big fans of both country hospitality and local history. In fact, their property is part of an Australian legend.
“In 1878, Cobb & Co set this place up as a horse change-over station to service the Gympie goldfields to Noosa run,” explains Sean.
Pull up a customised ‘saddle’ seat at reception and read tales of the area’s colonial pioneers.
“They’re good stories about how you can achieve great things if you try hard.”
Sean seems to be living proof of the value of hard work. Over the years, he’s built just about every structure you see at “Nine Mile” – from camp kitchens and shower blocks to an awesome kids’ playground, including flying fox. At “Cobb’s Farm Yard”, you can lend a hand feeding hungry farm animals including lambs and chooks.
Staying at “Nine Mile” can be a BYO or fully-supplied affair.
You’ll find unpowered campsites in grassy paddocks and shady bushland. Or you can stay in one of Sean’s home-made glamping tents.
The canvas cabins come fully screened and carpeted – with Queen-sized bed and deck. And the best part is that each tent is relocatable. Just ask Sean and he’ll happily tow your country accommodation to any position you like!
Bring your BMX bike and try out the track – or grab a kayak and go fishing on the billabong. And if that’s not enough to keep the kids entertained, Cobb & Co Nine Mile hosts weekend ‘talent nights’ where the whole family can take to the stage to sing, act, play an instrument or simply hog the spotlight!
