The first postal service in the Hundred of Maitland was offered from the house of Mr Richard O'Grady. O'Grady lived near the well that was the main local water supply, and was therefore a natural meeting place for the people of surrounding properties.

In 1873, once the town of Maitland was established, the post office was run out of the general store. When telegraphic services commenced in the town in 1876, the need for a separate post office and telegraph station was realised, and one was soon built on the corners of Elizabeth and Robert Streets, opening in 1879.

Growth and prosperity throughout the region in the early years of the 20th century led to a need for better postal services. One contributor to the Maitland Watch labelled the postal arrangement of the town, 'a standing disgrace,' and added that the people of Maitland were, 'sick and tired of antiquated methods'. By 1912 this dissatisfaction led to the announcement of a new Post Office, which was built at 31 Robert Street, and opened in May 1914.

That building, as depicted here in 1932, is still home to the Maitland branch of Australia Post .