A 460-kilometre round trip to pick up mail and grab fresh produce is the reality for some living on remote cattle stations in South Australia's outback. One intrepid mailman is continuing a decades-old delivery route to keep isolated South Australians well-connected and supplied.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Not many posties drive more than 600 kilometres in a day, but for Outback mailman Bruce Ross,
00:08it's what drew him back to the bush.
00:11The last adventure before I get too old for anything.
00:14Twice a week, he drives along dirt tracks to deliver mail, fresh produce and packages
00:19to remote cattle stations and roadhouses.
00:24For the folks living on Nilpina Station, it saves them a long drive to the post office
00:29and supermarket.
00:30Coober Pedy's the nearest large town, but it's 70 kilometres to William Creek and then
00:37160 over, so that's 230 kilometres one way.
00:41The iconic pink roadhouse at Ootnadatta is part of the Outback mail run, along with the
00:46William Creek Hotel where Bruce was the publican for three years.
00:50I cannot describe to you how invaluable Amazon and Bruce himself is. We would be lost without him.
00:57The relationship formed with customers is a key part of the service.
01:02I guess apart from delivering the mail and other supplies, you have that lifeline, that
01:07connection to the outside world for the station people.
01:11Here in the Outback, the mail run is so much more than just a postal delivery service.
01:15The mailman is also a friend who checks in on his mates at remote cattle stations. He's
01:20also not afraid to muck in and help out.
01:22At Nilpina Station, Bruce heads out with station matriarch Helen Williams, helping
01:27to feed the youngsters and passing along the latest news.
01:31It's good. They become sort of part of your family really.
01:34A long distance lifeline for those living in this harsh, remote country.