Last year, we had a post on the blog about Reto’s Travel Mode experience in South Georgia, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean. You might have thought that that was definitely the southernmost post office in the world… but you’d be wrong! There’s a small post office hidden away even further south, processing over 70,000 pieces of mail every year — it’s Port Lockroy, in Antarctica!
Here’s a short video introducing the post office, its staff, and the many penguins that they share the space with:
Located on Goudier Island, off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Port Lockroy Post Office is visited by 18,000 people annually. Besides being a post office, it functions as a living museum, and the workers also double as scientists, observing the penguin population as part of the British Antarctic Survey. Tourists flock here to experience its rich history and, of course, send postcards from the southernmost post office in the world.
The post office and museum are maintained and operated by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), a charity organization committed to conserving historic buildings on the Antarctic Peninsula. The funds raised from the sale of souvenirs and postage fees go directly to supporting the conservation of six historical sites in the area.
But you don’t have to go all the way to Antarctica to send a postcard from there! Currently, the UKAHT is raising money for their conservation efforts by selling postcards that will be sent from Antarctica. Each postcard costs £20, and you can personalize it with your message. Orders are being accepted until October 5th.
If you’ve never received a postcard from the icy continent, now is your chance — or, you can also take the opportunity to surprise a friend with a special postcard from far away. You’ll be helping to preserve history and ensure that stories of Antarctic exploration, science, and resilience remain accessible to future generations. Who knows… one day, you might even be able to visit it yourself! 😊
PS: Their Paypal interface system is having the hiccups at the moment, but payments through credit or debit cards are working!
38 comments so far
!!!! interesting!
what a wonderful story, if I would be 50 years younger, I would certainly apply and do this .
I will certainly try to send myself such a great postcard!! and support them
I loved this story and tried to order a card several times but payment via PayPal or by credit card failed multiple times.
Such a fun opportunity. PayPal still didn’t work but credit card worked fine.
What a wonderful frozen story! #Kudos for the conservation efforts!
#HiddenPostalGem <3
A few years ago I heard about this post office and they had several postcards to choose from to have sent. I sent one to my children and nieces/nephews (and myself, of course). They were thrilled! I love penguins so it means even more to me to be able to donate to help preserve this spot. Love it!!!!
This was a great opportunity to send my mom a postcard from Antarctica! She loves Antarctica and penguins; thanks Postcrossing for amplifying this campaign :) PayPal didn't work, but CC worked for me.
How fun for the people involved and what great work they are doing. Thank you for sharing this opportunity with us to send a special card and support their mission :)
cc worked for me!
Hola quisiera saber como hacerlo para comprar una postal,,
Gracias
Hello, the idea is fascinating, but I don't know how I should do it to be able to buy several postcards, if someone can help me, thank you
Thanks as always for an interesting and enlightening post.
Adorei a ideia e tentei por diversas vezes efectuar a compra mas dá sempre uma anomalia no site.
WOW…..what a wonderful icy place! I would love to visit there, but I know I won’t be able to, so I ordered a postcard. I can’t wait to receive it!
Going to order one for me!!
Wow! What a cool story, many years ago my grandmother visited the post office there and sent herself a postcard from there, she also got me a patch with a penguin on it.
This was supposed to be a stop on our cruise to Antarctica but the weather did not permit us to go that day. I did manage to get to the Ushuaia post office but would have loved this! So close but so far!
I just came home from watching a movie "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019 film directed by Richard Linklater, starring Cate Blanchett which finally came to Japan) and surprised that they actually shot a short scene in this exact post office! I read the article and than saw the film, so I was struck with déjà vu. The movie itself was really good too <3
I sent and received mail, including circulated maxicards, from USAF Amundsen-Scott Base at the geographic South Pole.
For the cost of mailing from USA to anywhere in USA.
"The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is a United States scientific research station at the South Pole of the Earth. It is the southernmost point under the jurisdiction (not sovereignty) of the United States. The station is located on the high plateau of Antarctica at 9,301 feet (2,835 m) above sea level. It is administered by the Office of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation, specifically the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). It is named in honor of Norwegian Roald Amundsen and Briton Robert F. Scott, who led separate teams that raced to become the first to the pole in the early 1900s." -wikipedia
Thanks for letting us know about this, I have ordered both to help the cost of shoring up the Post Office and to get a postcard. Amazing! :)
Still not work payment :( anybody help me
I got one send from there from another postcrosser who arranged lots of swaps ahead of her cruise. It's really a special card in my collection :)
Great story. I ordered a postcard right away and added a donation. No problem with using my credit card.
Thanks for sharing this terrific event!
Want to received postcards from Antarctica or South Georgia Islands but I don't know what mode of payment I will do. Can someone help me to avail?
I will pay for it.
Thanks in advance for the positive response.
Cool story!
How cool for someone who absolutely relishes cold climate, the only thing that would have me pausing is the smell… :) I am extremely sensitive to all smells…love the post of this amazing adventure…
I've just ordered a postcard from here as I collect them and looking forward to adding this one to my collection 🙂!!
How fun! I just sent postcards to each of our three grandchildren! An excellent teachable postcard for them to enjoy with their parents! I wrote to each of them, "This is a postcard from the southernmost post office in the whole wide world! No matter where you go, far or near, you are always in my heart! I hope you like this postcard!" I have saved the link to share with them when they receive the postcard and let me know. So glad you wrote about this!
so cool!
Yes! The magazine I edit did a story about the postmaster at Port Lockroy: https://rethinkq.adp.com/working-at-the-penguin-post-office/
Have ordered mine. Present to myself, and its a good cause.
This is such an exciting post for the blog. The video about the crew and their penguin neighbors was fascinating. In the few months I have been with Postcrossing I have learned about so many things and gone down many rabbit holes, all sparked by postcards, profiles and the blog. The crazy thing is I just added penguins to my subject wish list on my profile in the past week or two and now this blog topic comes out. I will be ordering my penguin postcard tomorrow and the fact it's coming from Antarctica is so exciting. Thank you for highlighting an opportunity to support a great cause.
It is impossible to implement it from Belarus. Very unfair :(
Thank you for sharing this story and video.
I have contacted the organization to tell them that there are problems making the payment. The page keeps crashing. I think it's a server problem. From what I see, I'm not the only person who has had problems when making the payment. Still, I find the initiative interesting and very nice.
I know is really late but I contacted them regarding the payment and received this answer maybe will help for someone that want's to order
I contacted them on this email info@ukaht.org
"Good afternoon,
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems with ordering your Postcard from Antarctica. There appear to be some problems with the PayPal mechanism through WorldPay.
As a work around you are welcome to make a donation here for £20 https://shop.ukaht.org/products/donation/67054. Once you have made your donation, please let me know and send:
First and last name of recipient
Address to send card to
Message (300 characters maximum)
Your name to sign
I will then manually add your details to the orders.
Apologies for the inconvenience but I am keen that you don’t miss out.
Kind regards"
Personally didn't see the email as well till now since it was in my spam folder and I think I need to contact them on the email they send this answer ( it's another email ) . Since I'm not sure if I can share the email address will recommend you to contact them as well but getting an answer took 5 days for me . Hope that helps if not I'm sorry :(
What a nice story. Unfortunately I am too late to order a postcard. I am sorry about that. Best of luck over there 😊
How in the world did I miss this blog post?! I would have purchased! Next time I will stay on top of the blog posts. :-)
I managed to order a postcard;-) Was wondering how long it took to travel. Have any of you received yours yet?
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