the riverboat postman tickets 2023

The Riverboat Postman: Hawkesbury River Cruise Review

The Riverboat Postman was one of the most fun day trips I took from Sydney . It was just a little bit after a lot of the COVID restrictions had been lifted in New South Wales. I took two weeks off work and finally started doing the bits and bobs I wanted to explore in my new home that had been off-limits for over a year.

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So I recruited my housemate to come along with me on a Hawkesbury River cruise.

What is The Riverboat Postman?

There is a stretch of development along the Hawkesbury River just upstream of Brooklyn, New South Wales that isn’t accessible by any roads. These residents love living in the idyllic bush without trading access to the big city…as Sydney is just an hour away. They don’t have cars, but what they do have is boats. The only way in or out is up and down the waterway.

However, I assume just like the rest of us that these people also probably have online shopping addictions. They need their packages!

That’s where the Riverboat Postman comes in. Since 1910, the fabulous skippers have been delivering mail to these folks and in recent years, have begun bringing the public along to enjoy the scenery as well.

It’s a fun day out of local Aussie history , great food , friendly people, and of course, amazing scenery.

Getting to the Hawkesbury River

It was very easy to get to the starting point for the cruise.

Brooklyn Public Wharf, Dangar Rd Brooklyn, NSW, Australia 2083

If you take the train , you can see the boat from the platform. It’s maybe a three-minute stroll from Hawkesbury River train station down Dangar Road to the wharf.

If you drive, there is a small parking lot near the boat. Aim to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before your Hawkesbury river cruise, just in case there are any delays on the way. The residents need their mail, so the boat can’t wait for you.

When you book, you will get an email from the Riverboat Postman advising of the best trains to take from Sydney Central station, as well as north towards the Central Coast.

Highlights of the Riverboat Postman

Here is one of the friendly crew members delivering the mail! At some of the places, the boat hardly slowed down, so they really had to book it to get the mail dropped off and themselves back on the boat in time. It was really entertaining to see how fast they work. I don’t think I would be cut out for this job.

Some of the houses had their own mailbox and piece of land far away from everyone else. Other homes, like these, were clustered closer together and had a mailbox system you might see at an apartment complex.

The landscape on either side of the river was also gorgeous. The skipper was probably the funniest guy in Sydney, so the time on board flew by with fun facts about the area’s history … including scandals and the personal business of the locals. As a nosy person, I loved this part.

But really, the best bit was being on a boat named after me. 

What to bring along with you

You don’t need to bring any snacks along with you, as you get to eat on the boat. When we borded, the amazing crew of the Emily Melvey gave us a choice of coffee and tea, as well as homemade ANZAC biscuits.

These cookies were sent by wives and women ‘s groups to soldiers from Australia and New Zealand serving in World War I. They were popular because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the cookies wouldn’t spoil during long journeys. It was all very Australian and very delicious.

We also got a great lunch with a sandwich and salad. If you have any special dietary needs, just call ahead of time to let the staff know and they can sort you out.

Water is free, but there is also soda, beer , and wine available for purchase at the bar onboard.

My housemate and I were probably the youngest guests on the Riverboat Postman by about 50 years, which worked out well for us because all the pensioners were so kind. I think I walked away with some great advice for preparing for retirement, as well as a slice of cake because one of the ladies was celebrating her 80th birthday with some friends on board.

Just don’t forget a hat, some sunnies, and maybe a pair of binoculars if you’re a birder like my housemate. He saw a few species that he was very excited about.

Overall, this Hawkesbury River Cruise was one of my favorite day trips from Sydney. It was great value for money, easy to get to, and a lot of fun.

It runs every weekday except for public holidays. On Sundays, there is an alternative sightseeing cruise as there isn’t any mail. You can buy your tickets here .

Emily’s all over the place. She’s an expert on working holidays, studying abroad, and turning your #GapYear into a #GapLife. Learn how here .

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This looks so fun! My style of sightseeing, too!

Very laid back. You would love it!

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The Riverboat Postman

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THE RIVERBOAT POSTMAN (Brooklyn) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

The Riverboat Postman

Getting here.

We are in Brooklyn, so train is by far the easiest way to get to Brooklyn, and the trains which arrive from Newcastle at about 9.26am and from Sydney at 9.47am still allow plenty of time to get to the wharf. The station is called Hawkesbury River, and our train from Sydney Central station departs from Platform 12 at 8.45am.

If you are coming by car, there is usually enough parking at this time of the day. Parking in Brooklyn is free, some is timed parking (4 hours, which is more than enough as the cruise is just over 3 hours long) and some is untimed.

Take a cruise on the Hawkesbury Mail Boat, the famous Riverboat Postman, and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the lower Hawkesbury River as we deliver the mail and other essentials to the river-access-only settlements upriver from Brooklyn. We leave the wharf at 10am each weekday except public holidays, regardless of the weather – after all, ‘the mail must get through!

The first Riverboat Postman started the run in 1910, and the tradition continues today with Hawkesbury Cruises, the current custodian of this fabulous day trip. Our skippers are locals who have lived in the area their whole lives – be entertained by the stories of the river whilst cruising in comfort up this spectacular waterway. Be assured that at least 95% of what they say is true…

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Riverboat Postman Cruise, Hawkesbury River Hidden Gem

Wondering what the Riverboat Postman Hawkesbury river cruises is like? When we found out about the Riverboat Postman Cruise , we couldn’t believe that firstly it’s a really cheap day out from Sydney via public transport and it’s a whole lot of fun too!

It’s not randomly called the Riverboat Postman Cruise. You actually go and watch the postman deliver the mail to all of the remote homes on a three hour cruise around the Hawkesbury River.

I’m sure everyone has driven over the Hawkesbury River Bridge at one time or another when driving up the coast from Sydney. It’s that moment when you cross over the bridge that you feel like you’ve completely left the city behind whilst looking over to those dreamy river vibes.

But, if you’ve always wanted to go on a Hawkesbury River cruise, we recommend going on the Riverboat Postman Cruise like we did!

When we found out about the long running tradition of the Riverboat Postman Cruise, we knew we had to check it out.

Australia Post has been delivering mail via a boat service to its remote residents on the Hawkesbury for more than 100 years. Since they opened it up to the public, you can join them at work whilst they deliver post around seven locations along the river.

We’re here to tell you all about it and how it’s become a local hidden gem. Best of all, this Hawkesbury River Cruise is an incredibly affordable day out of Sydney.

When we arrived at the ticket office we couldn’t believe how adorable it is. It’s the perfect little boat shed you could only dream of owning one yourself.

Here’s everything you need to know about doing the Riverboat Postman Cruise and what our personal highlights are too. 

30 Best Day Trips From Sydney You’ll Love 2024 Guide

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How to get to Riverboat Postman

A great thing about the Riverboat Postman Cruise is that they’ve wonderfully scheduled the timings alongside the trains so that everyone can experience the famous postman run.

The cruise lasts for three hours from 10-1pm and the train arrives into Hawkesbury River station from Sydney at 9:47am and leaves at 1:24pm. Did we mention the station is next door to the Riverboat Postman as well? This means you could bring the whole family along as there’s next to no walking involved.

If you’re driving, just head over to Dangar Road in Brooklyn which takes around 1 hour from Sydney to get to. There’s a lot of free parking in Brooklyn and most parking spots will have a four hour limit which is absolutely perfect for the cruise.

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What’s the route and how much does is cost.

For a great day out with your friends or family, the Riverboat Postman Cruise costs just $58 per adult,  $18 per child or a family ticket is $135 (2 adults, 2 kids).

Above you can see where the cruise takes you. You’ll head up past Dangar Island, underneath the Brooklyn Bridge and up to the mangroves in Marlow Creek.

What’s included in the River Boat Postman Cruise?

The highlights

We were also taken to the first ever warship in Australia, the HMAS Parramatta wreck which is pretty cool to see.

We definitely recommend booking the Riverboat Postman Cruise as it gets really busy that sometimes they take out three boats!

What if you want to go on a cruise on the weekend? You can go on a three hour cruise to the popular Seven islands of the Hawkesbury on a Sunday. It leaves a little later at 11am and you’ll get a local fish & chips on board for lunch 🙂

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Russia Maps Show 25% of Moscow Without Power Amid Winter Freeze 'Emergency'

R ussian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the nationalization of an ammunition plant in Moscow after a mechanical failure caused tens of thousands of Muscovites to lose heat and water amid freezing temperatures beginning last week.

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Other Russian media outlets reported that in Moscow, residents of Balashikha, Elektrostal, Solnechnogorsk, Dmitrov, Domodedovo, Troitsk, Taldom, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Krasnogorsk, Pushkino, Ramenskoye, Voskresensk, Losino-Petrovsky, and Selyatino are also without power.

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The Riverboat Postman - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Sights of Elektrostal, Moscow region

Table of contents:, history of the city, park of culture and leisure, historical and art museum, october cultural center, kristall ice palace, memorial complex, museum and exhibition complex.

2024 Author : Harold Hamphrey | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

In the Moscow region there is a small cozy town Elektrostal. Its sights for the most part have no historical value due to the fact that the city has a relatively small history. But for a visiting tourist or city dweller, they will be of interest. There is something to see, where to go to have an exciting leisure time.

Today the population of the city is 158 thousand people. Until the beginning of the 20th century there were several small workers' settlements here. After the opening of the electrometallurgical and equipment factories, the place began to be called the natural boundary of Calm. The construction of the railway made this settlement accessible, and workers and families flocked here to earn money. In 1925, the station was named Elektrostal, and the rapid increase in population allowed the village to receive the status of a city.

The founder of the city is a prominent Russian industrialist Nikolai Vtorov. It was he who opened the plant here, creating, in fact, a city-forming enterprise that is still operating. In Soviet times, it was a closed facility, and it was not easy to get to work here.

Today Elektrostal is a promising industrial city with a great future and a heroic past. It bears the proud name "City of Military and Labor Glory".

You can learn about the sights of Elektrostal with descriptions and photos here. There are places for walking, outdoor activities and cultural development.

Those who come to the city by train are met by a monument to the metallurgist. It was installed in November 2017 for the 100th anniversary of the Elektrostal plant. The attraction is made in the style of constructivism. The monument quickly won the love of the townspeople, because this city is supported by ordinary workers.

Elektrost altsy and the founding father of the plant, Nikolai Vtorov, are honored. In 2002, a monument was opened in honor of him, which became a landmark of the city of Elektrostal. The bronze sculpture is installed on the site where once stood a monument to the leader of the world proletariat, V. I. Lenin. Times change, characters change. Today, the plant, founded a century ago, is the largest in Russia. Vtorov himself, whose fortune was estimated at 60 million rubles in gold, according to Forbes magazine, was the owner of the largest capital at the beginning of the century. He was a banker, an industrialist, an entrepreneur, a man of action.

The monument was erected byinitiative of the townspeople who wished to perpetuate the monument to the great man.

One of the popular places for spending weekends and evenings among citizens and guests of the city is the Park of Culture and Leisure. Here you can ride attractions for children and adults, play slot machines, rollerblade or bike. The park is divided into two zones. Fans of unhurried walks in the fresh air make a promenade on the Quiet Alley, and those who prefer outdoor activities flock to the Entertainment Alley. The park has a summer stage, where concerts and cafes are regularly held.

Until 1999, there was no central museum among the attractions of Elektrostal in the Moscow Region. The expositions were exhibited in schools, the house of culture, in factory museums. The city was closed, so there was no large influx of tourists and visitors. The appearance of the historical and art museum made it possible for residents and guests of the city to learn a lot of useful information about their native land, the formation of the production process, and the difficult years of the war. The exposition consists of paintings by local artists, historical artifacts, household items, documents, books and much more. The collection is updated regularly. It also hosts outdoor exhibitions, which are always popular with the townspeople.

One of the main attractions of Elektrostal, the photo of which is available to almost every resident or visitor, is the Main Alley. On herpassers-by like to stroll along shady paths, townspeople rest by the fountain after a hard shift at the plant. Flower beds are the decoration of the alley. In 2006, a flower festival was held here for the first time, which has become traditional. Each enterprise of the city and private individuals give residents a real composition of fresh flowers, which pleases with bright colors all summer long. A riot of colors, aromas and a flight of fantasy reigns here. Walking through the park, you can see Snow White with a basket, a bright well, a multi-tiered cake made from fresh flowers, hearts of lovers or a fabulous house. It is almost impossible not to take a photo against the background of these compositions.

There is a cultural center in the city. It hosts performances by local creative teams and visiting stars, performances and circus performances.

In 1971, the ice palace "Crystal" was opened in the city. Almost immediately, a children's and youth hockey team was organized, which gained sports fame. This is the home sports arena for the Elektrostal hockey team. Matches of different levels are held on the ice.

There are sections for children who go in for hockey or figure skating. Citizens come here with their families to cheer for their favorite team or go ice skating.

Elektrostal is a city with a heroic past. During the war years, more than 12 thousand citizens came to the recruiting station and went to the front to defend their homeland. Almost 4 thousand of them did not return from the battle. To these heroesdedicated to the memorial complex with the inextinguishable Eternal Flame, opened in 1968

But the electricians took part in the war in Afghanistan and Chechnya. By decision of the city authorities, their memory is also immortalized in the memorial complex.

It has become a good tradition for newlyweds to lay flowers at this monument.

In 1999, a museum and exhibition complex was opened in the city, where, in addition to the exhibition hall, there are numerous circles for children, classes for young people, and a creative workshop. Various festivals, exhibitions, city holidays and other events are held within the walls and on the territory of the complex, which attract many spectators.

Listing the sights of Elektrostal, it is impossible not to mention the temples. There are several of them in the city: the church of St. John of Kronstadt, St. Andrew's Church, the hospital church of St. Panteleimon. Another new church is being built. In appearance, the temples look ancient, monumental, in the Novgorod style. But they were all built at the end of the 20th century.

Let there be no ancient artifacts among the sights of Elektrostal. But on the other hand, all of them are connected with the history of the city, with everyday work and military exploits of ordinary residents.

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