Grand quest to find Australia’s 10 quirkiest letterboxes

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
hero media
Guest blogger Jacqui Kennedy is an adventurous soul who for the past year has been riding a ‘postie bike’ 25,000 kilometres around Australia. Here she shares her favourite experiences on the road  – and her love of the iconic Australian letterboxes…

Having spent many years touring on scooters to unlikely places, including the Swiss Alps, people kept telling me to “get a real bike" – so I did.

 

I bought a CT110 ‘Postie Bike’ and called him Mo – top speed 80km/h when unloaded but as I’ve never subscribed to the less-is-best method of packing, he is an underpowered, overloaded little beast which steers like a washing machine. Did I mention that I like a challenge?

 

I like pushing the envelope and ‘tilting at windmills’. I like to encourage people to exit their comfort zones and not become the victim of media and marketing propaganda. You don’t need a big bike and a lot of money to have an awesome adventure.

 

I am an adventure travel junkie. I have been feeding my habit by taking Mo 25,000km on a wonky kind of figure 8 from New South Wales, through Victoria, around Tasmania, up South Australia through the Red Centre to Northern Territory and then down the west coast of Western Australia. I am now half way round with the Nullarbor and Queensland calling. Another year on the road should complete the journey.

 

Mo has a mischievous nature – he gate-crashed a wedding at the Big Lobster; he’s done a lap of the Mount Panorama race circuit; he got his butt kicked by Mother Nature on the Oodnadatta Track, where we were stranded for 6 days; he blushed with embarrassment when I went naked at the Pinnacles and scared the Japanese tourists; and he upstaged Will and Kate at the Big Rock.

 

The beauty about a slow lap around the Great Aussie Block is that you get to stop and see more than just the endless ribbons of bitumen. The country is littered with unusual signs, funny statues, weird landmarks and of course Big Things.

 

Most of all though, I like spotting weird and wonderful letterboxes. I love that, without any intention of personal gain, people will spend the time and energy to create something extraordinary out of an everyday object and that they would rarely receive the kudos or see the smiles they bring. They do it “just because" and that’s delightful.

 

These are the type of people who embrace life; who have interesting stories to tell; who invite you home to share their lives; who infect you with a spirit of mischief. These are my people.

Jacqui’s top 10 letterboxes

1. The Piranha: Denmark WA. This one is my favourite because of the work that went into the design. It would make it difficult to deliver bills.

 

2. Eiffel Tower: Perth WA. This was part of an elaborate farming property entrance with an Eiffel Tower on each side of the gate which read “Beware of the Owner"

 

3. Gnome House: Mt Buller, Vic. In the base of a tree on the side of the road up to Mt Buller lives a little gnome family with a little gnome letterbox. We left our calling card.

 

4. Mini House: Penguin Rd, Tasmania. A letterbox built in the same style as the house.

 

5. The Still: Wilmot Tasmania. About 50 elaborate letterboxes adorn the roadside into and out of Wilmot as a tourist drawcard. The whole town seems to compete for the funkiest box.

 

6. The Spider: Wisemans Ferry NSW. Never mind the spider on the dunny seat

 

7. Pork Plane: Deloraine, Tasmania. Pigs might fly on this letterbox.

 

8. Ned Lives: Spencer, NSW. Such is Life – Ned Kelly features quite frequently all over Australia. I have at least 6 in my collection.

 

9. Colours by numbers: Sprent, Tasmania. This group of boxes hints of a tightknit community in the mountains near Forth. Each box has the lot number – except the purple box, which simply says “Justin Case".

 

10. The Embassy: Canberra, ACT. This might just be the most important letterbox – outside the Aboriginal Embassy on the lawns opposite old Parliament House.

 

You can keep up with Jacqui at her blog Postie Notes .

Australian Traveller
See all articles
Lake Burley Griffin
Australia

12 summer weekends away across Australia to plan now

The weather is heating up, the days are getting longer, and the break we are all looking forward to is nearing closer. Here, 12 different ways to spend your summer weekends, from beach breaks to city stays.

Read more
26 incredible ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve
Australia

26 incredible ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve

Still don't have plans for New Year's Eve? Here are 26 ways to welcome 2026.

Read more
cold moon december
Australia

Friday’s Cold Moon is your last chance to see a supermoon in 2025 

On 5 December, a spectacular 'Cold Moon' will close out this year’s supermoon trilogy with a bang.

Read more
the ghan flinders ranges
Australia

Australia’s most iconic train journey is changing in 2027

The Ghan is extending its long-loved northbound journey with a spectacular new stop.

Read more
hero media

The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

    Jocelyn PrideBy Jocelyn Pride
    Continue
    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

    food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

    the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

    pizza at Theatre Royal
    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

    Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.