The Twelve Apostles south of Cobden

Cobden
Administrative centre for the Heytesbury Shire which includes the Twelve Apostles
Cobden is located amidst low hills near Curdies River, 208 km south-west of Melbourne and 39 km north of Port Campbell. It is a small and picturesque service town of tall flowering trees and about 1400 people within a prosperous and closely settled dairying district. There is a large butter and powdered milk factory in town although its chief appeal is as the gateway for the Twelve Apostles and the spectacular Great Ocean Road

Prior to European settlement the area is thought to have been occupied by the Kuurn Kopan Noot Aborigines. The 'Tandarook' property, one of the first to be established on the western plains, was set up in 1840 by pastoralist Dr Daniel Curdie who overlanded his cattle from Sydney to Melbourne before heading off to the west. On the western section of his property was an area known as 'Lovely Banks' on which the town later emerged.

Ironically, given the degree to which rural industries have been affected by free trade policies, the town is named after Richard Cobden, an English advocate of free trade.

The town has a number of recreation spots - Apex Park and Playground, Rotary Park (which has barbecue facilities) and Vagg Memorial Park.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The nearest Tourist Information Centre is at Camperdown, tel: (03) 5593 3390.

Cobden Lake
Cobden Lake, a former dam, is a charming spot with a rustic bridge surrounded by trees, lawns and picnic facilities.

Lake Elingamite
7 km south-west of town is Lake Elingamite which is a popular picnicking and boat-fishing spot. It has plenty of waterbirds, such as ibis, black swans, gulls and spur-wing plovers. It is signposted off the Cobden-Warrnambool Rd 4 km west of town. There is a boat-launching ramp and barbecue area.

Tandarook
Tandarook homestead was built by Daniel Curdie who was the first European to take up land in the area (Cobden emerged at the western end of his large estate). The original cottage was built of volcanic tuff in 1843. It was converted into a two-storey homestead with steep gables, a double-storey verandah and slate roof in 1856. Apparently local Aborigines used the homestead area as a refuge during tribal conflicts. Proceed north-east on the Campbelltown Rd for 2 km then turn right onto the Stoneyford Rd. About 8 km from Cobden, adjacent Curdies River, turn up Sheffields Lane.

Jarncourt Forest
This is the last stand of the Heytesbury Forest which once separated the plains at Cobden from the coast. There are forest drives and walking trails in the forest and related pamphlets can be obtained from the Colac office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, tel: (03) 5593 1911.

A Book About The Great Ocean Road
The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want ­ great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bridgewater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au.

	Motels
	Cobden Motel Camperdown Rd Cobden VIC 3266 Telephone: (03) 5595 1140 Rating: **
	Hotels
	Cobden Hotel Curdie St Cobden VIC 3266 Telephone: (03) 5595 1208
	Thompson's Hotel Curdie St Cobden VIC 3266 Telephone: (03) 5595 1208
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Heytesbury House Bed & Breakfast 33 Parrott St Cobden VIC 3266 Telephone: (03) 5595 1886 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Cobden Caravan Park Camperdown Rd Cobden VIC 3266 Telephone: (03) 5595 1140 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Cobden Motel Camperdown Rd Cobden VIC 3266 Telephone: (03) 5595 1140