'The new Kangaroo Valley’: Former Araluen post office draws curious Sydneysiders

With a meandering main street dotted with the occasional historic home and empty paddocks, little Araluen, NSW – population 200 – could be one of rural Australia’s sleepiest towns.

But it wasn’t always like this.

Araluen was once the site of the richest alluvial gold deposits in NSW: a bustling town of around 4,000 — so big it was divided into six distinct ‘suburbs’. In 1870, Araluen was four times the size of neighbouring towns Braidwood and Majors Creek, and home to 20 pubs, 20 butcher shops, general stores, bakers, shoemakers, blacksmiths and other merchants.

It was a heady mix of Australian and international families, with many men coming via the California gold fields to work in the Araluen gold mine.

The Araluen post office, located at 5929 Main Road, was the heart of the Araluen mail service and also a bank. By the late 1800s, hundreds of locals streamed through the building daily, sending news of babies and marriages to relatives across the world and cashing cheques.

The post office operated for more than a century until its closure in 1977.

Today, the once-bustling mail rooms and post master’s residence is a stunning four-bedroom, two-bathroom historic home, and it’s on the market.

Located 20 minutes from Braidwood and 90 minutes from Canberra, the original 1867 structure has been restored to its former glory with 12-foot ceilings and polished hardwood floors. The home still boasts the wood and etched glass "Post and Telegraph Office" and "Money Order and Govt Saving Bank" doors on the front verandah, together with the mailbox opening into the original “collection bin”.

But with an ensuite, in-ground pool and air conditioning, its features read more like those of a modern home.

Sales agent Denver Shoemark says the old post office is drawing interest from buyers across NSW, especially Sydney.

“A lot of the market down here are Sydney people – and Araluen’s a bit like the Kangaroo Valley of the district,” Denver says.

“It's a warmer climate than Braidwood, it's only 150m above sea level.

“There are a lot more people who are semi-retired making the move to the valley because they don't need to travel every day, and they want to be surrounded by mountains.

“It feels like you’re in Montana down here.”

While the house itself is special, the Araluen lifestyle is even more so.

“I call it the Jamie Oliver lifestyle,” Denver says.

“Think fresh produce, your own chooks, and living independently.

“You're on two acres of fully established garden with a veggie patch and big established trees, with uninterrupted views of the mountains front and back.

“It’s very special.”

The old post office at 5929 Main Road Araluen, Braidwood, is for sale for $989,000 — $1,050,000.

View the full listing.