If you live on an island, how do you get your mail delivered each day?
For residents of the communities along the Hawkesbury River, the answer is by boat, of course—thanks to the help of the Riverboat Postman. Each day, they deliver the mail (and online shopping) to remote areas along the river that don’t have road access. However, the Riverboat Postman isn’t just for mail delivery—they also invite members of the public to come along for a day out, enjoying lunch, commentary, and the fun of watching the mail get delivered (seriously, it’s really fun to watch!).
If you’re looking for something out of of the ordinary to do in Sydney, a cruise with the Riverboat is really unique and fun. To help you plan your trip, here’s our Riverboat Postman review.
In a nutshell, the post boat on the Hawkesbury River is well worth your time!
Where Is the Riverboat Postman?
The Riverboat Postman departs from Brooklyn, a small town along the Hawkesbury River—you’ll set off at 10 am (Mon-Fri). Brooklyn is about an hour north of Sydney and pretty easy to access by car—it’s straight off the Pacific Highway.
Or, if you’re arriving by train, you’ll want to arrive at the Hawkesbury River station, which is in Brooklyn. Coming from Sydney, you can jump on the train from Central Station.
Your Hawkesbury River cruise from Brooklyn departs in the morning, so it’s worth getting there early to look around the town, or hanging around after the cruise to check it out. The Hawkesbury post boat departs from the Marina—just look for the little blue ticket house next to the water.
There’s plenty of places to stop for a coffee before departing, but I really liked King Tide Cafe, right at the marina, giving you waterfront views while sipping your drink. 
How quickly the weather can change! This fog rolled through the marina but turned into a gorgeous day.
What’s the Experience Like? Here’s my Riverboat Postman Reviews
The Riverboat Postman started their mail run back in 1910, providing an essential service to those who couldn’t access their mail by any other means. However, it’s since opened up the cruise to tourists, providing spectacular views of the Hawkesbury River as you cruise from town to town.
After you board the Postman and take a seat, it’s time for tea and an ANZAC biscuit or two. As an aside, these are seriously the best ANZAC biscuits I’ve ever had—homemade, fresh, and straight out of the oven. If you ask nicely (and pay a dollar) they’ll share their secret recipe.
It all feels very cosy and friendly, like you’ve entered a friend’s house—the staff are exceptional at hospitality. Once you’ve left the marina and cruised out into the river, you’ll free to wander around, taking photos and enjoying the view—just keep your ears open and listen to the captain, who provides a fascinating (and funny) narration as you cruise, letting you learn more about the history of the region, along with some insights into the unique characters who’ve called the Hawkesbury home over the years. Our captain was a wealth of knowledge, with his cheeky stories and tales of life on the Hawkesbury really making the day for me.
The Riverboat makes quite a few stops for mail delivery, but here are two of the places you’ll discover:
Dangar Island
The first stop for mail drop-off is Dangar Island, a small island community close to Brooklyn. As the boat pulls up to the docks, the Riverboat crew unload the Australian post satchels full of mail and pass it over to Dangar residents, where it can be collected from the general store.
It’s really fun to watch the mail get handed over, a stark reminder that life on an island can be very different from life in Sydney, where we take for granted our instant access to just about anything we could want or need.
I (sadly) haven’t had a chance to explore Dangar yet, but it happens to be home to a friend and fellow travel blogger, Joanne—her Dangar Island post gives plenty of insight into the island if you want to plan a walk after the cruise (the boat will drop you off on the way back and you can get a public ferry back to Brooklyn when you’re ready to return).
As we cruise along, from dock to dock, it’s hard not to be blown away by the natural beauty of this part of the world. Sparkling blue water, popular with houseboaters, a huge array of birdlife, and even the pulsating pink jellyfish that float through the water as our boat passes by—you’ll definitely want to bring your camera.
Looking for more fun ways to explore Australia by boat? You might enjoy a Vivid Sydney cruise, a trip to Montague Island, or a day out exploring Rottnest Island.
Milson Island
Another point of interest along the route is Milson Island. It’s now a NSW Sport and Recreation Centre, popular with families and school groups who come out for a weekend to relax and enjoy the island.
From swimming, fishing, tennis, or scenic walks, it’s a great place to discover.
The Verdict
I really enjoyed my day on the Riverboat and would love to bring my parents along next time they visit, as there’s something about a scenic cruise along the river that’s super relaxing and serene. Plus, it’s an affordable and unique way to discover a new part of Sydney, ideal if you’re looking to try something out of the ordinary.
How Much Does the Riverboat Postman Cost?
Check the Riverboat Postman’s website for the most up-to-date details, but adult tickets are currently $59 for adults, with lower fares for seniors, families, and kids.
This includes morning tea and a ploughman’s lunch, with generous portions of meat, salad, veggies, and cheese.
You’ll want to bring a jacket, as it can get cool on the water, plus sunscreen and a hat.
Have you checked out the Hawkesbury River mail cruise? Would love to hear your thoughts!
I travelled as a guest of the Riverboat Postman, but all opinions are my own.
