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Cobbold Gorge and Cobbold Village are undoubtedly jewels in the Gulf Savannah crown. This is the place to enjoy big blue sky days, million star nights and adventures in the outback. Located in north-west Queensland, Cobbold Gorge and Village are around a 6 hour drive from Cairns and Townsville. We love it here, from the guided tours to the free things you can do, pool bar, people and nearby places. We’ve been many times and there’s just so many things to at Cobbold Gorge, so without further ado, let’s launch into our list.
Important Cobbold Gorge Information: Cobbold Gorge is only accessible on a guided tour. There are three tours to choose from, each providing a unique perspective and experience. The 3 hour guided Gorge Tour is the most informative, and includes a boat ride, walking over the glass bridge and exploring the sandstone escarpments. The SUP is the most peaceful and provides a more intimate and personal experience, thanks to the small group numbers. The scenic heli is more than just the cherry on top, it’s a must do providing panoramic views over this timeless landscape. Access to Cobbold Gorge is from Cobbold Village, where you can stay as guests and take advantage of the facilities and many other awesome things you can do at Cobbold Gorge, Cobbold Village and the surrounding areas.
Boat ride in Cobbold Gorge is included in the 3 hour Gorge Tour.
The 3 hour Gorge Tour of Cobbold Gorge is a must do. From Cobbold Village, you’ll be transported to Cobbold Gorge and as a part of the tour, take a silent boat cruise through the still waters. In some places you can reach out and touch the gorge walls, which have been shaped over the ages by the ebb and flow of water, creating visually impressive ‘waves’ in the rock. The custom made electric boats navigate the gorge providing a unique vantage point and ability to connect with your natural surroundings. You will be impressed by the gorge. You will see archer fish. You might see some of the freshwater crocodiles. This is a guided tour.
Explore the Sandstone Escarpments during the 3 hour Gorge Tour.
The 3 hour guided tour of Cobbold Gorge includes a ‘walk and talk’, along and over the sandstone escarpments that surround Cobbold Gorge. During this time the guide points out plants of interest, explaining their bush tucker and/or medicinal values and properties, and covers some of the European history of the area. This section of the tour provides you with the opportunity to ask questions and learn more from the friendly guides. The guided walk takes you from the bottom of the gorge, up to the escarpments above, where you can look over some of the country that surrounds the gorge and enjoy views from the top. The walking part of the tour culminates with the Glass Bridge, which is the next item on our Things to do at Cobbold Gorge list. This is a guided tour.
Take in the views from Australia’s First Fully Glass Bridge
Cobbold Gorge is home to Australia’s first fully glass bridge. The 11m bridge spans the distance over the top of the gorge, allowing you to gaze down and along the gorge below. It was installed in 2019, and sits about 17m above the waters of the gorge below. The glass is 41mm thick and all guests are required to put ‘sockets’ over their shoes, to avoid the bridge being scuffed and scratched during tours. This technique has clearly worked well, as when we went on the bridge in 2024 it was sparkly and clear. Access to the glass bridge is provided in conjunction with the 3 hour Cobbold Gorge tour. This is a guided tour.
Stand Up Paddleboard in Cobbold Gorge on a 1 hour tour
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) in Cobbold Gorge, is a great way to get up close and personal with the natural beauty of the gorge. It’s also a fantastic place to try SUP for the first time, thanks to the still waters of the gorge and the stability of the boards Cobbold provide, for their 1 hour SUP tours. A friendly guide is on hand to assist you onto the board, and gently push you off the shore. They accompany tour group members along the gorge, usually on a kayak, to provide support and assistance as and when needed. Of course they are on-hand at the end, to help you back to shore. The SUP adventures in Cobbold Gorge are small group tours and we highly recommend them. This is a guided tour.
Scenic helicopter tours at and over Cobbold Gorge
Scenic helicopter flights provide a completely different perspective of Cobbold Gorge and the country that surrounds it, giving you the chance to admire the endless expanse of this timeless land. More than just being the cherry on top of a visit, it is a bucket list experience and everyone we’ve seen alight from a scenic heli flight at Cobbold Gorge, has smiles for miles. There’s 4 different scenic helicopter tours available, from the 15 minute Sandstone Discovery, to the 30 minute Heli Property Tour, 60 minute Sunset Heli Picnic and the half day Heli Fishing Adventure, there’s something here for everyone. It’s got adrenaline. It’s got views. It’s got that ‘must do’ tag attached to it – you’ll love it. This is a guided tour.
Sunset Heli Picnic from Cobbold Village
Seriously, who doesn’t love the idea of a sunset helicopter flight with champagne, cheese and views to die for …. Pretty sure that’s something everyone would love to do, at least once in their lives. Well you can tick that box at Cobbold Village. This outstanding adventure takes off from the Village and lands atop a private picnic area, that provides panoramic views of the sandstone surroundings. It takes a minimum of 2 operate and maximum of 3 guests. We’ve done it just the once and although the weather decided to be grey rather than golden that day – you can’t help the weather right! – it goes down in the memory banks as being a super special moment to treasure as a family. This is a guided tour.
Heli Fishing Adventure from Cobbold Village to the Fish Hole
OK OK, we’re clearly on a heli roll … so let’s get to the next item on our ‘Things to do at Cobbold Gorge’ list, a half day Heli Fishing Adventure. Let me preface this by saying we don’t fish – well, we don’t fish very well – and we haven’t done this tour ourselves, but I’ve seen the satisfied grin of those that have, and it clearly needs to be included on this list for the anglers out there. Taking off from Cobbold Village you’ll enjoy your scenic flight along the Robertson River before touching down at your own private fishing spot – the Fish Hole. This place is paradise and this experience was considered so iconic that the crew at Great Northern beer even did a commercial here. So on that note, it’s beers and cheers to the Cobbold Heli Fishing Adventure. This is a guided tour.
Some things are worth getting up for, and that includes catching the sunrise at the Quartz Blow Lookout
This is one of our favourite places to watch the sun rise over the horizon of the Gulf Savannah. The Quartz Blow Lookout is exactly what its name suggests. It’s a giant conglomeration of white quartz that rises from ground level and takes you higher than the surrounding trees. It’s easy to climb, and at the top there’s places you can sit or stand to admire the view. I have to tell you, there’s something intensely peaceful about watching the world wake up around you. Seeing the golden rays of the sun light up the sky and reveal a new day in outback Queensland. The Quartz Blow Lookout is around a 15 minute drive from Cobbold Village. This is a free activity – self-drive to lookout – you will need a 4WD.
You bring the beers nature brings the beauty, sunset at the Quartz Blow
Yep the Quartz Blow Lookout gets two mentions on our list of things to do at Cobbold Gorge, because it’s that good! To get there, head out of Cobbold Village like you are driving towards Forsayth, around 4-5km from the village, you will see a sign on the left-hand side of the road directing you to the Quartz Blow. Follow this and it brings you to the base of the Quartz Blow. It’s an easy clamber to the top, where (if the weather is kind) a golden sunset awaits your discovery. If you want to up the ante, order a cheese platter from the Bistro before 3pm and take that with you. This is a free activity – self-drive to lookout – you will need a 4WD.
Lace up your boots and wander the walking tracks around Cobbold Village
One of the best ways to really get amongst the country that surrounds you, is to take a walk. There are 4 walking tracks and trails from Cobbold Village, all of varying durations and grades of difficulty. The dirt tracks take you around the cattle station property, so you may meet some of the Cobbold Cows and chances are high you will see a kangaroo or two, and some termite mounds. Russell’s Lookout is the most ‘difficult’ of the trails, as it includes a short climb up Chinaman’s Hill, but ends with views over the surrounding country. When taking any of the walks, please remember to take water and be sun safe. This is a free activity – remember to sign the walking register at the Bistro.
Cobbold Village is on an active cattle station, so say hello to the Cobbold cows
Cobbold Village is located on active cattle station property. The owners of the property, Simon and Gaye Terry, have been grazing Brahman cattle here since 1964 and you will definitely see some of the Cobbold cows, as you come and go from the village during your stay. The cows are placid and used to seeing humans, although as it is an active cattle station you are not encouraged to interact with them. We love seeing them on our morning drives and walks to and from the village to the Quartz Blow Lookout. This is a free activity.
The savannah grasslands are dotted with hundreds of termite mounds.
OK, this might not float everyone’s boat, but we love getting photos of the termite mounds in the golden savannah grasslands. They are visually interesting and contrast with the big blue sky background. Plus, we don’t have any of these around Cairns, so seeing them as you drive by equates to being on another adventure, which is what we love to do. Side note, make sure you are wearing covered footwear when getting the photos, there are some sharp prickles and stones. Also, please don’t wreck the mounds, take only photos and leave only footprints. This is a free activity.
The lake that is adjacent to Cobbold Village is a great place to kayak.
Feeling active? Take advantage of the kayaks, which are provided for guest use in the dam, which is adjacent to the Cobbold Gorge swimming pool and campground. The dam has water all year round and has lillypads and flowers. There is a small jetty on its banks and there are 4 to 5 kayaks, suitable for children and adults, that are there for your use and enjoyment. If you have your own SUP boards, you can obviously use these to explore the dam as well. Life jackets are available if you need them. This is a free activity.
Swim in the infinity swimming pool with dam and country views.
Definitely pack your swimmers when visiting Cobbold Village, especially if you are going at the start or end of the season (March-April and September-October), as the pool is the place to be! The blue-tiled infinity swimming pool provides great views over the dam beyond and bushlands. There is a kids’ splashing pool and larger pool area for adults and older children, with sunlounges available for relaxing. The blue waters of the pool are a great gathering place for guests and is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a big day of exploring and adventures. This is a free activity.
Cobbold cocktails at the swim-up pool bar, don’t mind if we do.
What’s better than an infinity swimming pool with views? An infinity swimming pool with views and a swim-up pool bar. Stop it! Of course, this one was always going to make the list of things to do at Cobbold Gorge activities. Now normally I am not a cocktail kind of person, but out here, this one gets me every time. Great range of choices from your classic expresso martini to black Russians, fruit tingles and more. Of course there is also a selection of beers, soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages available. Use of the pool is free for guests, obviously the drinks need to be paid for.
Let someone else do the cooking for you, breakfast at the bistro.
Cobbold Village has a licensed bar and bistro, called Macdonalds Deck. It is opposite the reception, front and centre near the swimming pool and has views over the dam and bushlands. It’s open for breakfast (bookings essential) and has a hot and cold buffet to choose from. The menu has all your favourites – the hot options include bacon, eggs, sausages, mushrooms, beans and more, while the continental buffet has a selection of cereals, yoghurts, fruits and toasts. Bookings are essential for breakfast and we always like to indulge in this on our final day, it makes packing up and heading off just that bit easier. This is a pay as you go option. You can also use the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities to make your own breakfast if you prefer.
Did someone say lunch time!! Macdonalds Deck has a solid lunch menu with something for everyone.
In our experience, dining options at remote locations can be sketchy, and usually involve either a whole lot of fried food choices or pre-made sandwiches. Well roll-up, roll-up because Macdonalds Deck at Cobbold Village has all the good stuff you want for lunch. We’re talking burgers and fries, fresh salads, sandwiches made to order, wraps and more. It’s also licensed – so if you want to pair that with a cold beer, white wine or some bubbles – you can do that too. You do not need to make a booking for lunch and you can order it between 12 and 2pm. This is a pay as you go option. You can also use the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities to make your own lunch if you prefer.
Macdonalds Deck serves up hearty meals with a focus on flavour – like these delicious lamb shanks. Undercover seating, or under the stars.
At the end of a long day of driving or exploring, the last thing you want to do is cook dinner – am I right? Well you don’t have to – make a reservation at Macdonalds Deck at Cobbold Village and let someone else do all the hard work (and the dishes). Bookings are essential and the dinner service is from 5.30-7.30pm. The standard menu has everything you would expect, with a daily specials board. All meals are served with salad or vegetables. At our last dinner there we shared garlic prawns and garlic bread for entrée, had a steak with mushroom sauce and lamb shanks for dinner – Ethan had chicken nuggets – and everything was delicious. This is a pay as you go option. You can also use the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities to make your own dinner if you prefer. *They also offer a great value ‘Meal Deals’ check their website for more.
Yum Yum Yum – yes, we are guilty of eating our way across the menu at Cobbold Village.
If you are sick of your own camp snacks and want something special, then Macdonalds Deck at Cobbold Village has you covered from 9am to 4pm. There’s coffee and cake. Scones and tea. Wedges and chips. Cocktails and crisps. Milkshakes, ice-creams and ice cream sundaes. Is it any good – I think Ethan’s face says it all – and he is quite the ice cream connoisseur 😉 This is a pay as you go option.
Wood fired pizza made fresh on site – sign me up, dine in or takeaway
If you haven’t slipped into a food coma already, reading our review of the day of dining options available at Macdonalds Deck, then let’s throw in a special mention for their wood fired pizza! These ones seem to only come out on school holidays and during peak season, but they are so good!! The wood fired pizza oven is down by the infinity pool, and the pizza menu contains all of the favourites. You have to order ahead and are given a pick up time, with the option to take away or eat at the bistro. Richard does like his pizza and he gives these ones 8/10 (double digits if they made their own bases). This is a pay as you go option.
Communal campfires are a great place to swap stories with other guests.
Nothing says outback adventure more than an evening campfire, but sometimes you aren’t around to light it, don’t have any wood, or are in fact not camping, but staying in one of the rooms or cabins at Cobbold Village. Never fear – the Cobbold team have got it covered – lighting a communal campfire down by the dam every night. There’s permanent bench-style seating around the fire and it’s a great place to swap travel stories, tips and destinations. The perfect way to end another perfect day in paradise. Everyone is welcome. This is a free activity.
If you are camping, then light your own fire and toast some marshmallows. Cheers to that.
We love a good campfire at I Love Cairns! Light it early so you can cook dinner on it, then keep it stoked for toasting marshmallows and swapping stories under the million star night sky, while sharing a evening beverage – cheers to that. When you are camping at Cobbold Village there are various fire pits located across all of the sites, for use by guests. You should BYO firewood and for extra points, pack your coloured flame powder and have a rainbow fire. Obviously, for the safety of everyone, make sure your fire is extinguished and cold before leaving the campsite. This is a free activity.
Cobbold Village is dog friendly, so bring your canine companions.
Cobbold Village is dog friendly! Yey for the furry friends! If you have your own accommodation – tent, camper trailer or caravan – then you are welcome to bring your dog with you. They can hang with you at camp, go swimming in a seasonal stream or our dam and enjoy the walking tracks and trails with you. Please note dogs must be on a lead at all times and it’s your responsibility to clean up after them, and make sure they don’t bother other guests. Dogs cannot go on any of the Cobbold Gorge tours, stay in any of their rooms or cabins or be in the communal areas, such as the pool or bar and bistro. This is a free activity.
Cobbold Village has a few seasonal steams, as well as a permanent dam.
Cobbold Gorge and Cobbold Village are seasonal tourist attractions. They are usually closed from November until the end of March or Easter, whichever comes first. If you visit them early in the season, and it has been a good ‘wet’, then you might be surprised to find a few seasonal streams and creeks around Cobbold Village. They have sandy bottoms and are usually shaded by large trees. One of them is right by the start of the walking tracks, adjacent to the workshop which is behind reception. There’s nothing better than swimming in the creek and enjoying being in the bush. This is a free activity.
There’s lots of different birds to see around Cobbold Village.
Bird watching and listening, is another item we can add to our list of ‘Things to do at Cobbold Gorge and Cobbold Village’, with more than 100 species recorded here. We’ve been delighted to see flocks of red-tailed black cockatoos, during our bus transfer to and from Cobbold Village to Cobbold Gorge, and large birds of prey circling over the gorge and sandstone escarpments when on tour. At Cobbold Village itself, we regularly see a giggle of galahs (honestly ‘giggle’ is the ‘official’ term for a group of galahs) adjacent to the welcome gate, and the occasional pale-headed rosella at the infinity pool in the early morning, as well as lots of other birds all around us, throughout the day. This is a free activity.
This country is home to all creatures, great and small.
You might have noticed Cobbold Gorge has a crocodile in its logo? ~ If you are lucky, you might spot one of them on your Cobbold Gorge tour. The gorge is home to a healthy population of freshwater crocodiles, as well as a number of fish, lizards, geckos and more. In fact this whole country is abundant with wildlife and there’s a number of critters you are pretty much guaranteed to see on visit here. This includes kangaroos, lizards, monitors and wallaroos. Some guests have seen echnidas and koalas, but these are less common. Wildlife watching – add it to the list of ‘Things you can do at Cobbold Gorge’. This is a free activity.
Take home a souvenir or some merch to remember your stay.
Shopping for merch gets a mention on the list of things you can do at Cobbold Gorge, because it’s something we always do – our eagle-eyed son hangs out the shop, keen to pick up a new fishing shirt or cap and they do have a great range. So yes, the I Love Cairns family is sometimes seen wandering about the place looking like a walking, talking Cobbold Gorge advertisement. We’ve got the caps, we’ve got the fishing shirts, the car even has a sticker. There’s something for everyone, from keyrings and stubby coolers, to coffee cups, trucker caps and more. The store is located at reception. This is a pay as you go option.
Take the time to stop and smell the flowers, or at least look for them.
Julie at I Love Cairns loves to take photos of flowers, so wherever we go, she is always keeping an eye out to see what might be growing in the gardens and grasslands. Often the wildflowers of the Gulf Savannah are small and inconspicuous, but occasionally they are like large hibiscus. When you are out at Cobbold Gorge and Cobbold Village, make sure you stop to take the time to look for wildflowers and enjoy the flora and fauna of the area, it’s just beautiful. This is a free activity.
Chillax at your campsite, you are on holiday afterall.
There are so many things to do at Cobbold Gorge, that you can go from sun-up to sun-down, but sometimes it’s also good to just calm down and chill out. The Cobbold Village campsites provide the perfect space and place to do just that. All the campsites have established trees and there’s an abundance of wildlife and birds to add to the ambience. Grab a book, get your kindle and bring your Uno cards – do whatever it is you like to do, when you are doing nothing at all. It’s bliss. This is a free activity 😉
The early bird gets the … photo of the day at the Cobbold Village dam.
I can’t believe that sunrise and sunrise-esque experiences make the list twice – especially when I am not an early morning person! Anyway, Richard is an early morning person and when we aren’t at the Quartz Blow Lookout Richard is down at the dam to catch the early morning mist and sun’s first golden and pink rays on the dam. It’s quiet and peaceful and this is often the best of time for birdlife and wildlife watching. So, yes – getting up early at Cobbold Village might just nail you photo of the day – which is why it’s on our list of ‘Things to do at Cobbold Gorge’. This is a free activity.
Nothing says outback Australia quite like a windmill.
Drawing a long bow here and this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we do like a good windmill here at I Love Cairns. There’s something quintessentially outback Australian about them, and they make for an awesome photo. There is a windmill on the road between Forsayth and Cobbold Village, it’s behind a dam and there are usually some cattle in the area too. Welcome to the Gulf Savannah, where there are more cattle than people and the landscape is iconic. This is a free activity.
Keep your social media up to date on the deck, in front of reception.
There is Telstra coverage on the front deck, in front of reception at Cobbold Village. You can tell where and when, by the groups of people gathered here intently looking at their phones. So, why am I adding this to the list of things to do at Cobbold Gorge? ~ Because if you share your photos with friends and families on your socials (and remember to tag #cobboldgorge) then more people will know about this great place and visit it. So not only do you get to show off your epic outback adventures, you’re helping to build the vibe and tribe that makes its way out to Cobbold Village and Cobbold Gorge. This is a free activity.
Head over to Agate Creek and fossick for treasures.
Agate Creek Fossicking Area is around a 50 minute drive from Cobbold Village, and is a great place to look for agates. The best places to search for agates is in creek beds and gullies, which are usually shaded at most times of the year. What do they look like? Rainbow coloured pieces of rock with different patterns and sometimes with crystal in them. You do need a license to go fossicking and this can be purchased online. You don’t really need any equipment, other than maybe a small spade and bucket – but remember to take lots of drinking water. If fossicking for agates sounds fun, but you don’t know where to start – check out Cobbold Gorge’s Ultimate Outback Adventure Tour which includes a component of guided fossicking at Agate Creek. This is a paid activity.
Goldfields Hotel has an agate display, supplies and meals and great milkshakes, – so stop in and check it out.
Goldfields Hotel at Forsayth is a great place to stop and refuel your vehicle, and your body, on the way to and/or from Cobbold Village and Cobbold Gorge. It does lunch and dinner and has a licensed bar, with takeaway alcohol available. There is an agate display and a small convenience shop, where you can top up on your supplies. We can confirm the toasted sandwiches are good and so are the milkshakes. If you have time, check out the park over the road for a snapshot on local history. Pay at the hotel – the park is free.
We stopped and enjoyed lunch here, with nice views and breeze.
The Charleston Dam at Forsayth has only opened in the past few years. It was primarily established to secure a reliable and permanent water supply for the residents of Forsayth and Georgetown, but for visitors (and locals) to Etheridge Shire, it provides a lovely stop for lunch and/or dinner with undercover table and chairs and BBQ facilities. We stopped here for lunch on our way to Cobbold Village and Cobbold Gorge and were impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities, the views and the breeze coming off the water. This is a free activity.
Copperfield Gorge is worth a look if you have the time.
The tale of two gorges. Well not really, Cobbold Gorge is definitely the ‘better’ and more impressive gorge of the two – but Copperfield Gorge at nearby Einasleigh is also worth a look if you have the time. It’s around a 2 hour drive from Cobbold Village, and is located at the tiny township of Einasleigh, which has a pub and a very impressive timber bridge. The water levels in Copperfield Gorge vary throughout the year; we’ve seen it when it was relatively empty, and we’ve also taken our stand-up paddleboards for a ride in it. Access to Copperfield Gorge is free and it is people and puppy friendly. This is a free activity. Self-drive.
Have a counter meal at Einasleigh Hotel, support the locals.
This is something simple we can all do to support small outback communities. Stop in and spend some money, be that grabbing a cold beer or a counter meal. They will appreciate it and you will help keep the dream going and the Einasleigh Hotel – well, it’s a pretty iconic and impressive building to stop and get a selfie at. So, while this is not at Cobbold Gorge – it is on our list of ‘Things to do at Cobbold Gorge’ and if you are coming from Townsville, then it’s on your way so stop in and say g’day. Pay as you go at the hotel.
Drop in to the Georgetown Information Centre, TerrEstrial.
The TerrEstrial Information Centre in Georgetown is the place to stop for local information and advice, including the latest road conditions. It has maps of the region, can make tour bookings for you and has a small gift shop. It’s also home to the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection (more information on this below). Entry to the TerrEstrial Information Centre is free. There is a charge for entry to the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection.
Love rocks? The Ted Elliott Mineral Collection has over 4,500 specimens.
If you love rocks, crystals, gems and fossils then you’ll love the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection at Georgetown. This collection features over 4,500 specimens including agate, gold, minerals, local gemstones, crystals and fossils. There is an entry fee, but you can spend as long as you like exploring this delightful collection, which is housed in air conditioned comfort. This is a pay as you go option.
The 3 hour Gorge Tour of Cobbold Gorge is a must do. From Cobbold Village, you’ll be transported to Cobbold Gorge and as a part of the tour, take a silent boat cruise through the still waters. In some places
The 3 hour guided tour of Cobbold Gorge includes a ‘walk and talk’, along and over the sandstone escarpments that surround Cobbold Gorge. During this time the guide points out plants of interest, explaining their bush tucker and/or medicinal values
Cobbold Gorge is home to Australia’s first fully glass bridge. The 11m bridge spans the distance over the top of the gorge, allowing you to gaze down and along the gorge below. It was installed in 2019, and sits about
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) in Cobbold Gorge, is a great way to get up close and personal with the natural beauty of the gorge. It’s also a fantastic place to try SUP for the first time, thanks to the still
Scenic helicopter flights provide a completely different perspective of Cobbold Gorge and the country that surrounds it, giving you the chance to admire the endless expanse of this timeless land. More than just being the cherry on top of a
Seriously, who doesn’t love the idea of a sunset helicopter flight with champagne, cheese and views to die for …. Pretty sure that’s something everyone would love to do, at least once in their lives. Well you can tick that
OK OK, we’re clearly on a heli roll … so let’s get to the next item on our ‘Things to do at Cobbold Gorge’ list, a half day Heli Fishing Adventure. Let me preface this by saying we don’t fish
This is one of our favourite places to watch the sun rise over the horizon of the Gulf Savannah. The Quartz Blow Lookout is exactly what its name suggests. It’s a giant conglomeration of white quartz that rises from ground
Yep the Quartz Blow Lookout gets two mentions on our list of things to do at Cobbold Gorge, because it’s that good! To get there, head out of Cobbold Village like you are driving towards Forsayth, around 4-5km from the
One of the best ways to really get amongst the country that surrounds you, is to take a walk. There are 4 walking tracks and trails from Cobbold Village, all of varying durations and grades of difficulty. The dirt tracks
Cobbold Village is located on active cattle station property. The owners of the property, Simon and Gaye Terry, have been grazing Brahman cattle here since 1964 and you will definitely see some of the Cobbold cows, as you come and
OK, this might not float everyone’s boat, but we love getting photos of the termite mounds in the golden savannah grasslands. They are visually interesting and contrast with the big blue sky background. Plus, we don’t have any of these
Feeling active? Take advantage of the kayaks, which are provided for guest use in the dam, which is adjacent to the Cobbold Gorge swimming pool and campground. The dam has water all year round and has lillypads and flowers. There
Definitely pack your swimmers when visiting Cobbold Village, especially if you are going at the start or end of the season (March-April and September-October), as the pool is the place to be! The blue-tiled infinity swimming pool provides great views
What’s better than an infinity swimming pool with views? An infinity swimming pool with views and a swim-up pool bar. Stop it! Of course, this one was always going to make the list of things to do at Cobbold Gorge
Cobbold Village has a licensed bar and bistro, called Macdonalds Deck. It is opposite the reception, front and centre near the swimming pool and has views over the dam and bushlands. It’s open for breakfast (bookings essential) and has a
In our experience, dining options at remote locations can be sketchy, and usually involve either a whole lot of fried food choices or pre-made sandwiches. Well roll-up, roll-up because Macdonalds Deck at Cobbold Village has all the good stuff you
At the end of a long day of driving or exploring, the last thing you want to do is cook dinner – am I right? Well you don’t have to – make a reservation at Macdonalds Deck at Cobbold Village
If you are sick of your own camp snacks and want something special, then Macdonalds Deck at Cobbold Village has you covered from 9am to 4pm. There’s coffee and cake. Scones and tea. Wedges and chips. Cocktails and crisps. Milkshakes,
If you haven’t slipped into a food coma already, reading our review of the day of dining options available at Macdonalds Deck, then let’s throw in a special mention for their wood fired pizza! These ones seem to only come
Nothing says outback adventure more than an evening campfire, but sometimes you aren’t around to light it, don’t have any wood, or are in fact not camping, but staying in one of the rooms or cabins at Cobbold Village. Never
We love a good campfire at I Love Cairns! Light it early so you can cook dinner on it, then keep it stoked for toasting marshmallows and swapping stories under the million star night sky, while sharing a evening beverage
Cobbold Village is dog friendly! Yey for the furry friends! If you have your own accommodation – tent, camper trailer or caravan – then you are welcome to bring your dog with you. They can hang with you at camp,
Cobbold Gorge and Cobbold Village are seasonal tourist attractions. They are usually closed from November until the end of March or Easter, whichever comes first. If you visit them early in the season, and it has been a good ‘wet’,
Bird watching and listening, is another item we can add to our list of ‘Things to do at Cobbold Gorge and Cobbold Village’, with more than 100 species recorded here. We’ve been delighted to see flocks of red-tailed black cockatoos,
You might have noticed Cobbold Gorge has a crocodile in its logo? ~ If you are lucky, you might spot one of them on your Cobbold Gorge tour. The gorge is home to a healthy population of freshwater crocodiles, as
Shopping for merch gets a mention on the list of things you can do at Cobbold Gorge, because it’s something we always do – our eagle-eyed son hangs out the shop, keen to pick up a new fishing shirt or
Julie at I Love Cairns loves to take photos of flowers, so wherever we go, she is always keeping an eye out to see what might be growing in the gardens and grasslands. Often the wildflowers of the Gulf Savannah
There are so many things to do at Cobbold Gorge, that you can go from sun-up to sun-down, but sometimes it’s also good to just calm down and chill out. The Cobbold Village campsites provide the perfect space and place
I can’t believe that sunrise and sunrise-esque experiences make the list twice – especially when I am not an early morning person! Anyway, Richard is an early morning person and when we aren’t at the Quartz Blow Lookout Richard is
Drawing a long bow here and this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we do like a good windmill here at I Love Cairns. There’s something quintessentially outback Australian about them, and they make for an awesome photo.
There is Telstra coverage on the front deck, in front of reception at Cobbold Village. You can tell where and when, by the groups of people gathered here intently looking at their phones. So, why am I adding this to
Agate Creek Fossicking Area is around a 50 minute drive from Cobbold Village, and is a great place to look for agates. The best places to search for agates is in creek beds and gullies, which are usually shaded at
Goldfields Hotel at Forsayth is a great place to stop and refuel your vehicle, and your body, on the way to and/or from Cobbold Village and Cobbold Gorge. It does lunch and dinner and has a licensed bar, with takeaway
The Charleston Dam at Forsayth has only opened in the past few years. It was primarily established to secure a reliable and permanent water supply for the residents of Forsayth and Georgetown, but for visitors (and locals) to Etheridge Shire,
The tale of two gorges. Well not really, Cobbold Gorge is definitely the ‘better’ and more impressive gorge of the two – but Copperfield Gorge at nearby Einasleigh is also worth a look if you have the time. It’s around
This is something simple we can all do to support small outback communities. Stop in and spend some money, be that grabbing a cold beer or a counter meal. They will appreciate it and you will help keep the dream
The TerrEstrial Information Centre in Georgetown is the place to stop for local information and advice, including the latest road conditions. It has maps of the region, can make tour bookings for you and has a small gift shop. It’s
If you love rocks, crystals, gems and fossils then you’ll love the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection at Georgetown. This collection features over 4,500 specimens including agate, gold, minerals, local gemstones, crystals and fossils. There is an entry fee, but you
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