What do you think?
Rate this book
Going Postal: The Ups and Downs of Travelling the World on a Postie Bike
'Eat, Pray, Love' meets 'The Long Way Round' in this inspiring adventure story about a man called Nathan, an Australia Post bike called Dot, and everything that happened when they chose the road less travelled.
When Nathan Millward learns that he has just twenty days to leave Australia before his visa expires, he has a choice to make: fly home to England on the return ticket he already has, or set off on the adventure of a lifetime riding a decommissioned Australia Post bike across the world. With encouragement from the girl who took him to Australia in the first place, Nathan hits the road. No time for planning or preparation, just go - with nothing more than the gear he can carry on the back of the bike - in a race across the Outback and on to Darwin to catch a cargo boat to East timor. From there it's on, riding the road to England at an average speed of sixty-five kilometres an hour, through jungles and over mountain passes, on mud roads and dirt highways. Will man and machine make it? And what happens with the girl? Going Postal has it all: foreign cultures, wrong turns, the kindness of strangers and the bittersweet trials of love. By turns funny, poignant and inspiring, it will have every reader asking themself: if you put your mind to it, what can you achieve?
When Nathan Millward learns that he has just twenty days to leave Australia before his visa expires, he has a choice to make: fly home to England on the return ticket he already has, or set off on the adventure of a lifetime riding a decommissioned Australia Post bike across the world. With encouragement from the girl who took him to Australia in the first place, Nathan hits the road. No time for planning or preparation, just go - with nothing more than the gear he can carry on the back of the bike - in a race across the Outback and on to Darwin to catch a cargo boat to East timor. From there it's on, riding the road to England at an average speed of sixty-five kilometres an hour, through jungles and over mountain passes, on mud roads and dirt highways. Will man and machine make it? And what happens with the girl? Going Postal has it all: foreign cultures, wrong turns, the kindness of strangers and the bittersweet trials of love. By turns funny, poignant and inspiring, it will have every reader asking themself: if you put your mind to it, what can you achieve?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
41 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 10, 2011
When I saw this book in the store and read the blurb I knew immediately that I had to read it. A guy travelling from Sydney to London on a decomissioned postie bike with only a couple of days of prep time? It sounded too crazy to not be good, and I was right.
Nathan Millward recounts his experiences (both the good and the bad) in great detail and with plenty of humor. He presents an honest review of his journey and the countries he travels through, reminding us that regardless of how badly a country may be painted by the media the people and the experiences are generally positive and you should not be so quick to generalize and jump to conclusions.
While Nathan may have been the one to ride across the world, the spotlight of the story really shines on Dorothy 'Dot' the motorbike. Through Nathan's words she comes alive and you'll feel for her when she struggles, and cheer for her when she beats the odds. It's clear he has a lot of love for that bike and a lot of the love rubs off onto the reader.
Going Postal is a fantastic road trip story of an adventure that I'm sure many of us would love to experience but lack the courage to undertake. For now though we can live vicariously through this book and have a good laugh a long the way.
Nathan Millward recounts his experiences (both the good and the bad) in great detail and with plenty of humor. He presents an honest review of his journey and the countries he travels through, reminding us that regardless of how badly a country may be painted by the media the people and the experiences are generally positive and you should not be so quick to generalize and jump to conclusions.
While Nathan may have been the one to ride across the world, the spotlight of the story really shines on Dorothy 'Dot' the motorbike. Through Nathan's words she comes alive and you'll feel for her when she struggles, and cheer for her when she beats the odds. It's clear he has a lot of love for that bike and a lot of the love rubs off onto the reader.
Going Postal is a fantastic road trip story of an adventure that I'm sure many of us would love to experience but lack the courage to undertake. For now though we can live vicariously through this book and have a good laugh a long the way.
September 18, 2012
Best travel book I ever read. Took me on a journey to places I'd never dream of going. The relationship between Nathan and Dot (the bike) was almost human.
May 23, 2021
I was impressed with this personal account of Nathan Millward's epic journey. How he managed it with minimal planning and preparation should be an example to all of us who would like to undertake such an adventure but can always find a reason not to. And he has shown that it is what’s between your ears that make things happen rather than the machine you’re riding!
January 6, 2022
Excellent book, has given me serious wanderlust and an itch to get back on 2 wheels... even though there is snow out side
July 4, 2016
Reiseberichte ist kein Genre, das mich besonders anspricht. Doch was Nathan Millward mit "Going Postal" nacherzählt ist eine wunderbare und menschliche Geschichte über Sehnsucht und Überwindung. Auf seiner Reise hat Millward nicht nur unzählige kleine Abenteuer und Schreckmomente überstanden, sein Trip auf dem alten Postmotorrad von Sidney nach London ist eine Liebeserklärung an die Welt. Denn nicht nur merkt der Autor, dass die Menschen überall gutmütig und herzlich sind, sondern, dass unser Weltbild durch die Medien und politische Propaganda total verzerrt wird.
Sicherlich, um solch eine Reise zu unternehmen braucht man Mut, doch die Belohnung ist viel grösser als alle vorangehenden Ängste. Und auch das Buch macht Spass, der Schreibstil ist locker und geschickt werden Gedanken, Ereignisse und Fakten verwoben. Für alle weltoffenen ein tolles Erlebnis.
Sicherlich, um solch eine Reise zu unternehmen braucht man Mut, doch die Belohnung ist viel grösser als alle vorangehenden Ängste. Und auch das Buch macht Spass, der Schreibstil ist locker und geschickt werden Gedanken, Ereignisse und Fakten verwoben. Für alle weltoffenen ein tolles Erlebnis.
November 15, 2019
Worthy read
Caution the road may call you as you read this. My monkey is gearing up and preparing itself as I type this
Caution the road may call you as you read this. My monkey is gearing up and preparing itself as I type this
June 26, 2025
I think I’d be all right if the plane just exploded in midair; I could deal with that. No time to know it. But if the engines packed up and you had a minute of freefall as the plane careered towards the ground, I couldn’t think of anything worse. Sixty seconds to reflect on things, to question whether you’ve done enough, been enough, seen enough. Lived enough. I say that because what if the answer to that is ‘no’? Now it’s too late to do anything about it. What’s not been said never will be, what’s not been done never will be. Your time has come, and now it’s gone. Though I guess this is the fear of regret. Not just of flying.
==========
I found solace in my acceptance that you can never have done enough, been enough, seen enough. Lived enough. There will always be something to chase. And in a strange way, I found contentment in this, and also tears. I guess this was the reality of life.
==========
And one of the hardest things I’d learned was that no matter how fast or how hard you try and run, you’ll never escape those things you’re running from, because they’re there, every time you look in the God-damn mirror. And realising this was terrifying, because in that moment you have to accept that this, today, is how it will always be. And life is life, wherever you happen to be living it.
==========
I had the only planning you really need — to be certain that it’s something you have to do. Not want to do, because that’s not enough. I think there’s got to be the understanding that there is no other way out; this is your only option, and therefore you must do this or forever wonder, what if? It was this that prevented me from ever quitting, or turning back, despite at times the growing urge to do so. My advice for anyone wanting to ride across the world on a bike is to look around, see what you’re going to risk, and then ask yourself if it’s worth it, because once you’ve gone, you’ve gone.
==========
I found solace in my acceptance that you can never have done enough, been enough, seen enough. Lived enough. There will always be something to chase. And in a strange way, I found contentment in this, and also tears. I guess this was the reality of life.
==========
And one of the hardest things I’d learned was that no matter how fast or how hard you try and run, you’ll never escape those things you’re running from, because they’re there, every time you look in the God-damn mirror. And realising this was terrifying, because in that moment you have to accept that this, today, is how it will always be. And life is life, wherever you happen to be living it.
==========
I had the only planning you really need — to be certain that it’s something you have to do. Not want to do, because that’s not enough. I think there’s got to be the understanding that there is no other way out; this is your only option, and therefore you must do this or forever wonder, what if? It was this that prevented me from ever quitting, or turning back, despite at times the growing urge to do so. My advice for anyone wanting to ride across the world on a bike is to look around, see what you’re going to risk, and then ask yourself if it’s worth it, because once you’ve gone, you’ve gone.
May 25, 2020
I read a reasonable number of books from usual suspects like Paul Theroux, Norman Lewis and Bill Bryson - recently a lot of young adventure travellers have started publishing books of their travels to help keep the show on the road - some mediocre & some OK.
This book stands out for me - Nathan is not a professional author, although his writing is well above average - and this clearly honest and heartfelt recount of his remarkable mental and physical journey made it my travel book of the year.
The word “real” crops up too often - it’s spot on here, the combination of emotion, personal psychology, grindingly hard relentless travel and real adventure make this a book that deserves to be known worldwide - I’m in my sixties but I gained some valuable insights here.
Nathan is an entertaining, tough and pragmatic midlander with a complex and sensitive soul wrapped up in a sometimes seemingly gruff exterior - I’ve met him a few times now at adventure events and his “stream of consciousness” presentations are some of the best.
This book stands out for me - Nathan is not a professional author, although his writing is well above average - and this clearly honest and heartfelt recount of his remarkable mental and physical journey made it my travel book of the year.
The word “real” crops up too often - it’s spot on here, the combination of emotion, personal psychology, grindingly hard relentless travel and real adventure make this a book that deserves to be known worldwide - I’m in my sixties but I gained some valuable insights here.
Nathan is an entertaining, tough and pragmatic midlander with a complex and sensitive soul wrapped up in a sometimes seemingly gruff exterior - I’ve met him a few times now at adventure events and his “stream of consciousness” presentations are some of the best.
July 15, 2020
Nathan Millard's story of his insane adventure, riding from Sydney Australia to London England is a delight. What makes this story incredible is that he did it on a Honda C90, delivery moped/motorcycle with little plans and little equipment. What makes the book a great read is his simple and straight forward writing style. There is little that seems to be left out.
The journey itself is story enough, but his description of the characters that he meets simply take the reader into the journey itself. You can almost feel the numbing cold and wet, the idiocy of some of the antics and necessary actions that Millard was forced to take.
This is a book for those young people that do not dare take a chance. Take Millard's lead. You only live once. And for those older folks, such as myself, who have had some experience in motorcycle touring, be ready to shake your head in disbelief as this foolish adventurer takes the world by the horns and does it with a smile, sometimes forced, on his face.
Kudos Mr. Millward!
The journey itself is story enough, but his description of the characters that he meets simply take the reader into the journey itself. You can almost feel the numbing cold and wet, the idiocy of some of the antics and necessary actions that Millard was forced to take.
This is a book for those young people that do not dare take a chance. Take Millard's lead. You only live once. And for those older folks, such as myself, who have had some experience in motorcycle touring, be ready to shake your head in disbelief as this foolish adventurer takes the world by the horns and does it with a smile, sometimes forced, on his face.
Kudos Mr. Millward!
June 3, 2024
Although there is nothing to stop applauding and admiring Nathan’s courage of traveling across 18 countries and for his endurance for completing it, author writing should have been more versatile and dynamic appreciating places he was in.
Traveling is a process of learning, process of appreciating the differences that makes this world unique. While he was complaining on social media many places starting from East Timor, India, Pakistan, Nepal. Author should have written why it makes them to act like that. You can’t expect London Underground everywhere or Macdonald everywhere. Author had an opportunity to learn of so many things culture, history, food, costume of places but his only focus of completing a journey may have been a hinder on this myopic vision of his but i wouldn’t blame him for it.
At times book is monotonous with descriptions on Mandy, Dot and his monologues rather it would have been more colorful had he just open his eyes from a different perspective to assimilate what was happening around him.
Traveling is a process of learning, process of appreciating the differences that makes this world unique. While he was complaining on social media many places starting from East Timor, India, Pakistan, Nepal. Author should have written why it makes them to act like that. You can’t expect London Underground everywhere or Macdonald everywhere. Author had an opportunity to learn of so many things culture, history, food, costume of places but his only focus of completing a journey may have been a hinder on this myopic vision of his but i wouldn’t blame him for it.
At times book is monotonous with descriptions on Mandy, Dot and his monologues rather it would have been more colorful had he just open his eyes from a different perspective to assimilate what was happening around him.
February 7, 2021
Incredible journey of discovery
I love adventure.. as a philosopher..i sometimes think that i love these diet of things because i can't really do them myself.. but life is a journey! I am also a Motorcyclist. I love small bikes and my favorite over the years was one not so different from Dorothy. (A 125cc Honda) that was reliable transportation for me for 20 years.
I think that travel that lets people see and experience the places they visit, is a wonderful thing.. but like a Hobbit..i am awfully stuck im my comfort. In Terry Pratchetts Disc world.. an ancient "hero" is asked what is the best thing in life. His fellow heroes make extravagant claims like "seeing your enemies defeated!" While Cohen says, "soft toilet paper".
But i love adventures..and i can go on lots of them.. multiple times, and stay in my warm bed, never fight anxiety and my wife makes great meals! Love Nathan's books! Read them.. they are full of "interesting times! "
I love adventure.. as a philosopher..i sometimes think that i love these diet of things because i can't really do them myself.. but life is a journey! I am also a Motorcyclist. I love small bikes and my favorite over the years was one not so different from Dorothy. (A 125cc Honda) that was reliable transportation for me for 20 years.
I think that travel that lets people see and experience the places they visit, is a wonderful thing.. but like a Hobbit..i am awfully stuck im my comfort. In Terry Pratchetts Disc world.. an ancient "hero" is asked what is the best thing in life. His fellow heroes make extravagant claims like "seeing your enemies defeated!" While Cohen says, "soft toilet paper".
But i love adventures..and i can go on lots of them.. multiple times, and stay in my warm bed, never fight anxiety and my wife makes great meals! Love Nathan's books! Read them.. they are full of "interesting times! "
January 9, 2018
Inspiring
Quite an achievement to travel all that distance on a small single cylinder motorbike. The writing kept my imagination all the way through the book, I can't say there was any point that I wanted to get read quickly. Comparing to some travel books there isn't a lot of long detailed descriptions of the places but there's enough to get an image in your minds eye. The author writes about his thoughts and frame of mind at each stage of the trip, it does let you see how much time you can spend thinking as the miles roll past. Maybe not half way around the world but it does inspire me to make a long solo camping trip on a small motorbike.
Quite an achievement to travel all that distance on a small single cylinder motorbike. The writing kept my imagination all the way through the book, I can't say there was any point that I wanted to get read quickly. Comparing to some travel books there isn't a lot of long detailed descriptions of the places but there's enough to get an image in your minds eye. The author writes about his thoughts and frame of mind at each stage of the trip, it does let you see how much time you can spend thinking as the miles roll past. Maybe not half way around the world but it does inspire me to make a long solo camping trip on a small motorbike.
June 3, 2020
Raw and open hearted
The first time I heard of this guy and his daring adventure .. I thought what most people on hearing about this would think - a 105 cc 2 wheeler ! Seriously man ... Either you're too stupid or damn gutsy. Jokes apart, what a read. There were so many places where I could place myself standing ... The Steppes, in East Timor, in China, the outback, back in England. Really gripping. I am sure by now that the reason why you wrote this book wasn't to just 'write a book'. It was much more intense, everything laid bare ... The way it was. And that my friend takes a heart - hats off and take care.
The first time I heard of this guy and his daring adventure .. I thought what most people on hearing about this would think - a 105 cc 2 wheeler ! Seriously man ... Either you're too stupid or damn gutsy. Jokes apart, what a read. There were so many places where I could place myself standing ... The Steppes, in East Timor, in China, the outback, back in England. Really gripping. I am sure by now that the reason why you wrote this book wasn't to just 'write a book'. It was much more intense, everything laid bare ... The way it was. And that my friend takes a heart - hats off and take care.
January 16, 2026
My brother-in-law lent me this and to be fair, I wasn't really very motivated to read it. I had read a few motorcycle adventrue type books and had had enough. But I was "in-between" books and thought - why not? What a lovely, gentle read. A true adventure with no plan and no backup and no decent clothes (I could go on). Crazy. My only criticism is that the last few countries were bit rushed. But, I imagine that was how the journey would have felt like too. I could think of a better ending, but won't spoil it ;-)
February 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, and admire greatly the authors courage in completing the trip with so little forthought and planning. It makes you realise how our lives are governed by preconceived perceptions and external influences. I hope Nathan finds the contentment he obviously seeks. Well written buddy...I have the bikes to make the trip, but not the courage (as with most people) , however I am blessed with the contentment.
August 4, 2020
Watched a video on YouTube of Nathan doing the trip then found this book. It’s written so well, such an easy read and flows along. You feel like you’re there sometimes and it tells the good and the bad. A real true portrayal of everything he experiences and goes through. Really enjoyed it. Makes me wanna do the trip!
March 3, 2025
This was a funny, light read. It was about the journey, not the places he rode through, or necessarily the people he met in those places. He was not a tourist, rather a traveller. I liked it very much because he didn’t philosophise much, didn’t take himself too seriously, was not arrogant about entitlement, and had a relationship with Dot, his bike that was almost human!
January 19, 2020
Entertaining, funny and so very honest (to both his inside monologue and to us the reader and our possible perceptions on the world.) Going on my 'to read again' shelf.
I might also add that in the flesh he's just as lovely and funny as he is in the book :-)
I might also add that in the flesh he's just as lovely and funny as he is in the book :-)
May 26, 2024
Great read. You find yourself immersed in his travels and troubles, so much so that at times you want to shake him and tell him to enjoy the trip more. Amazing that he was able to accomplish this trip with such little preparation. Definitely gives you the urge to drop everything and disappear around the world (not always a good thing :-) )
June 15, 2024
An amazing adventure across many different landscapes and territories for intrepid traveller Nathan Millward. I enjoyed reading this true account of the challenges and joys he encountered and experienced.
March 7, 2019
Really good read from an honest traveller
I enjoyed the journey, even though at time I did get lost in waffle. You have to admire Nathan's guts though. Well done
I enjoyed the journey, even though at time I did get lost in waffle. You have to admire Nathan's guts though. Well done
June 22, 2020
Fantastic little book about a travel across vast places across the world as well as within. A must-read for motorcycle and travel enthusiasts alike,
June 19, 2021
Very enjoyable travel writing. Great lockdown companion!
July 8, 2014
I bought this book for my partner as he enjoys reading motorbike/travel books. So when I needed to read a non-fiction book for the fun reading challenge we are doing at work, I decided to give this one a go instead of biography, of which I have many sat unread on my book shelf.
This book is the story of Nathan Millward who learns he can't stay in Australia and only has 20 days before his visa expires and he has to return to the UK. Instead of flying home he decides to ride home on his postal bike with only two days of 'planning' as he's only got 16 days to get across Australia to Darwin to put his bike on a boat for East Timor. From there he heads across land through 16 countries taking around 9 months before he reaches home.
I have to admit while reading this book my heart was in my mouth and it had me on the edge of my seat, and a tear in my eye when I finished it. Good on anyone that undertakes a journey like that, of which during Nathan's travels he met many such people. You my say/think they were a little mad for undertaking a journey through countries like India, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand etc when there's so much unrest, but these people are certainly brave and courageous. Whether you are a motorbike fan or not this book is an excellent read and one you won't be able to put down.
This book is the story of Nathan Millward who learns he can't stay in Australia and only has 20 days before his visa expires and he has to return to the UK. Instead of flying home he decides to ride home on his postal bike with only two days of 'planning' as he's only got 16 days to get across Australia to Darwin to put his bike on a boat for East Timor. From there he heads across land through 16 countries taking around 9 months before he reaches home.
I have to admit while reading this book my heart was in my mouth and it had me on the edge of my seat, and a tear in my eye when I finished it. Good on anyone that undertakes a journey like that, of which during Nathan's travels he met many such people. You my say/think they were a little mad for undertaking a journey through countries like India, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand etc when there's so much unrest, but these people are certainly brave and courageous. Whether you are a motorbike fan or not this book is an excellent read and one you won't be able to put down.
August 8, 2013
In this case Going Postal isn't a Terry Pratchet novel or a killing spree!
A Bookcrossing friend of mine sent me this for the Postal Reading challenge, she didn't mention that Nathan buys his postie bike from my home town!
Nathan decides, when his visa runs out, that he will ride a postie bike home to England. 9 months and 18 countries!
Nathan has a website thepostman with a map of the route he took and pictures etc.
I loved reading about all the different places, but thought the last part of the book was a bit rushed, there was not as much writing about Europe as there was about Nepal and India.
A Bookcrossing friend of mine sent me this for the Postal Reading challenge, she didn't mention that Nathan buys his postie bike from my home town!
Nathan decides, when his visa runs out, that he will ride a postie bike home to England. 9 months and 18 countries!
Nathan has a website thepostman with a map of the route he took and pictures etc.
I loved reading about all the different places, but thought the last part of the book was a bit rushed, there was not as much writing about Europe as there was about Nepal and India.
September 18, 2015
I rarely give a book 5 stars but this one deserves it. I have read many, many books on motorcycle adventure travel and this is among the best. At first I was wary of reading another travel book by a British author because, for some reason, they often feel compelled to insert their political views and disparage other cultures. Mr. Millward does not do this. He appreciates cultures foreign to him. This is a wonderful tale of travel on an improbable machine through improbable places. Great read.
November 20, 2015
An amazing book that I felt like I lived every step of the way through Nathan's journey. The detail included was amazing and it gave me a sense that I was riding on the back of his decommissioned Australia Post motorcycle experiencing everything with him. It's a shame that he wasn't able to see more of the sights, but when your visa is expiring, you certainly need to get out of the country before getting into serious trouble. The maps throughout the book were very helpful and it gave a sense of direction to the book.
May 22, 2016
Great book, one of the best travel books I've read. Met the author in March 2016 and bought the book. We had a brief discussion about riding motorbikes in the Himalayas...the Manali to Leh road in particular. Didn't know anything about Nathan's book/journey at that time, which is a pity as I would have enjoyed a longer chat about our shared experiences! Never mind, buy the book. Well written and a good read be sides. Well done Nathan!!
May 28, 2017
I absolutely loved this book; it is a truly exciting story, and I was genuinely surprised how well written it was, given that this is the author's first. Absolutely recommended for fans of books like Mondo Enduro and The Long Way Round. Although I don't think you really have to have an interest in motorcycles or motorcycle travel to enjoy the people, places and experiences that the author describes. This is a book I'll be recommending to all sorts of people.
March 27, 2012
As a postie bike rider & lover this was an inspiring, entertaining, and heart-warming book to read. Not the most stunningly written or super exciting (though it has its moments!) this is an endearing tale of a likeable guy and his little CT110 doing the undoable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews