In 1790 the Hawkesbury River, 50 km north of Sydney, is the longest river on Australia's east coast. The Hawkesbury River district became the food bowl of early colonial Sydney and the river the lifeline of trade between the farming communities and the struggling colony. Trade flourished and then declined during the 19th Century. Today the river is still a vital link to a number of unique water-access only settlements scattered along this magnificent river.

The Riverboat Postman has been providing an essential service to river communities since 1910, bringing mail, milk, groceries and newspapers on a daily river run. In the 1960s, someone had the bright idea of taking passengers aboard to experience both the tradition of mail delivery by boat, and the serenity of gliding over the glassy waters of the Hawkesbury River aboard one of the river's traditional timber ferries. 
Passengers on the cruise can sit back, relax and absorb the wonderful scenery as the Riverboat Postman travels from settlement to settlement. The skippers provide a knowledgeable commentary on many river features, like "Tumbledown", and unique waterside dwellings such as "Blotto Grotto". 
Australia's last Riverboat Postman departs Monday to Friday at 9:30am and returns at approximately 1:15pm. This adventure down the Hawkesbury River includes morning tea and, from Easter to October, a fresh fish 'n chip lunch is available for $12 (obtain a voucher from our office upon arrival). The trip and starts from the Brooklyn wharf just beside the Hawkesbury River Railway Station. It does not run on Public Holidays. Connecting trains leave Central at 8:15am, Hornsby at 8:51am and Gosford at 8:23am. Bookings are recommended.
The operators of the Riverboat Postman cruise also run the Dangar Island and Wobby Beach Ferry service and two daily Coffee Cruises. These cruises depart Sundays at 11am and 1:30pm, and cruise towards the mouth of the Hawkesbury River while enjoying a complimentary morning or afternoon tea. Bookings are recommended.

Footnote: The Hawkesbury River was used to send fresh food on boats to the developing city of Sydney. Newcastle was settled at the mouth of the Hunter River in 1797 to exploit the rich coal seams found there. In the 19th century, Morpeth, about 30 km up the Hunter River, became a major port. As the Hunter Valley developed, ‘60 Miler’ coastal ships transported coal and produce down the coast to Sydney. Timber getters shipped out valuable cedar using a number of rivers along the New South Wales coast, including the Shoalhaven south of Sydney.