The Old Post Office was constructed in 1897, and dominates the village of Howlong.  For over a hundred years, it has operated as the postmaster’s residence and post office, until 2006 when it was converted to a luxury bed and breakfast, carefully designed to create a harmonious, luxurious and romantic ambience, while still retaining a classical, traditional elegance.

Between 1835 and 1838 mail from Melbourne to Sydney was carried by sea to Launceston, thence overland to Hobart, and when opportunity offered, to Sydney by sea.  There was a good service from Melbourne to Launceston, but the service from Hobart to Sydney depended on overseas vessels which were very irregular.

Joseph Hawdon was a grazier and farmer who had large interests in Port Phillip (Melbourne) and New South Wales and naturally desired a more rapid and surer means of communication.  He secured the first contract to deliver mail overland from Melbourne to Yass, and thence on to Sydney.  The first Post Office at Howlong was opened in June 1860, and for the next 36 years, the post office was operated in various stores in Howlong, depending on who held the contract – at one stage it was located at the local hotel!

Early in 1897, the Works Department submitted a sketch plan of a proposed new post office to be built on “half an acre at the corner  of Sturt and Hawkins Strets with frontage of 2 chains 50 links to Sturt Street and 2 chains to Hawkins Street Government Reserve”.  The tender was let to T L Mitchell for 1343 pounds.

The first official Postmaster, Mr Joseph McKay took possession of the new office on 28 February 1898.  On the same day, he reported that he was “connected satisfactorily to the morse”!