Hidden among dense bushland and blackberry thickets in the Southern Tablelands of NSW, this former post office was built around 1870 to serve the local community. Like many rural post offices of its time, it also functioned as the postmaster’s residence, standing as a vital hub for communication in the region.
Constructed primarily from vertical timber slabs, later additions were clad in weatherboards. Inside, layers of newspaper were pasted onto the walls to block out the winter drafts, a necessity in a region where temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
Even today, the original post slot remains visible on the front of the building, a reminder of its once essential role. The property also showcases intricate ornamental sheet metal work along the roofline and chimneys, reflecting the craftsmanship of its past occupants.
Operated by the same family for decades, the post office remained active until around 1945. As population numbers dwindled due to farm amalgamations and improved transport links to larger towns, demand for local postal services declined, leading to its closure.
For years after, the building continued to be used as a part-time residence. However, as maintenance became increasingly unfeasible, it was eventually abandoned. Now, nature has reclaimed much of the structure, with wombats burrowing beneath and time slowly wearing it away.
These images capture the post office in its final chapter, preserving the legacy of a building that once connected an isolated community to the wider world.
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