A favourite campground has entered a new era after it was acquired by a leading provider of accommodation and outdoor activities.
The Cobb and Co Nine Mile Camping Grounds, off Noosa Road at Tandur, has been passed from founders Sean and Katherine O’Hanlon to Queensland Conference and Camping Centres (QCCC).
The popular camping destination, set on 50 acres on Six Mile Creek, north-west of Noosa, is on the site of the old Cobb and Co horse change stables.
The transition follows more than a year of close partnership, when QCCC delivered immersive survival school camp programs onsite.
The QCCC issued a media release that stated the extended period of working side-by-side provided both organisations with confidence that their values, vision and commitment to families and young people are strongly aligned.
QCCC director Andrew Grant praised the O’Hanlons, who have operated the site for more than 15 years, and indicated a smooth handover.
“Sean and Katherine haven’t just built a campground – they’ve built something people genuinely care about,” he said.
“Over the past year, they’ve been able to see how QCCC operates in practice, not just on paper. This transition reflects mutual trust and a shared desire to see Cobb and Co Nine Mile Camping Grounds continue to flourish.”
QCCC is a Queensland-based, not-for-profit organisation with a 99-year history of delivering outdoor education and camping experiences.
It operates venues at Mapleton, Tamborine and Brookfield – serving tens of thousands of school students, families, churches and community groups each year.
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QCCC stated that it is focused is on long-term stewardship rather than short-term return.
Its current programming is centred on families and school-aged children, particularly years 4 to 10 – a demographic that has made Cobb and Co Nine Mile Camping Grounds so popular.
“Our intent is simple,” Mr Grant said.
“We want to protect what makes this place special, while quietly investing in its future.
“That means building on what already works – family experiences, school holiday energy, creativity and imagination – not stripping it back or commercialising it.”
With a statewide staff base of more than 200 people, QCCC is set to support the site through expanded activities during peak periods, enhanced safety and operational systems and additional experiences for families and school groups.
The QCCC stated that existing staff will remain, and the O’Hanlon family will continue to be recognised as the founders who shaped the heart and character of the campground.
The QCCC also stated that the acquisition “secures the long-term future of Cobb and Co Nine Mile Camping Grounds at a time when demand for affordable, high-quality outdoor experiences continues to grow across Queensland”.
The group stated that prices will not be increased, offerings will be kept and enhanced, existing bookings will be honoured and the survival camp will continue.
