Hybrid Co₃O₄/MnO₂ nanotube-based catalysts were prepared by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The physico-chemical properties of Co₃O₄/MnO₂ catalyst were then studied by different characterization techniques, namely, SEM, TEM and HR-TEM, XRD, BET surface area, XPS and H₂-TPR. The hybrid catalyst showed superior catalytic performance toward benzyl alcohol oxidation than pure MnO₂ nanotubes and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. The uniform dispersion of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles, good redox behaviour, the variable oxidation states of manganese and cobalt (Mn^3+/4+ or Co^3+/2+) as well as the abundance of active surface oxygen species were responsible for such a high catalytic activity.