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A Post Office in Antarctica

Home ยป Antarctica

Updated: January 17, 2021 by The Planet D

A Post Office in Antarctica

It seems that everyone is trying to lay claim to the continent of Antarctica. The British did it by opening a post office in the Antarctic. If there’s a government agency, they must have some right to it, right?

Chile: We were told that Chile sent a newlywed couple to conceive a child in Antarctica in 1978 to legitimize their claim to the continent.

Argentina: was not impressed by this event so they sent a pregnant woman to give birth to her child in Antarctica, thus being the first citizen of the seventh continent.

United Kingdom: So, what did the British do to make their claim stronger? They opened a post office.

The babies were already born, so a governmental body made sense to be the next natural progression.

History of the Post Office

post office antarctica post box

People swarm to Port Lockroy to send a postcard home to their loved ones and explore the museum which used to be an old British Outpost.

Known as the penguin post office, this post office became an historic monument in 1996.

Expedition ships stop at Port Lockroy regularly allowing passengers to send a postcard and buy a few souvenirs from the continent.

Museum at Port Lockroy

port lockroy antarctica

It is also a museum set up exactly as it was during early days of Antarctic researching at Port Lockroy.

sweatshirts post office

The base is now a historic site for people to explore and get a glimpse as to what life was like for researchers and whalers living in Antarctica during the 1940’s to the 1960’s.

kitchen antarctica

The kitchen was left as is, there are bunks and barracks and even the old radio room is intact.

Leftovers From Researchers

radio post office

The researchers kept their favourite movie stars and bombshells close to their hearts and painted their images on the walls.

skis post office

The post office and outpost is also home to a penguin colony who decided to join the researchers after they arrived.

penguin antarctica

Check out Quark Expeditions for planning your own Antarctic Expedition.

Read More

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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Categories: Antarctica

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Comments

  1. Paul Sheridan says

    December 13, 2018 at 7:18 pm

    Hi
    I work in the post office in Ireland and as a tradition we send christmas cards to other post offices around the world.
    Could you send me your address so we can send you one, but it might not get there before Christmas.

    Regards
    Paul Sheridan
    Registered Letters Office
    Dublin Mails Centre
    D12v4ac
    Ireland
    Ireland

    Reply
  2. Rex Tseng says

    November 28, 2018 at 7:17 am

    Hi,
    Please tell me the full address of the post office. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Charlotte says

      August 12, 2019 at 5:44 am

      As a summer project my daughter would love to send you a letter from Ethiopia! Is that possible? What is your address?

      Reply
  3. Jure says

    November 26, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    HI there! Im Jure from Slovenia ๐Ÿ˜€ MY wish is to send you my postcards package to you! ๐Ÿ˜€ I really want you to have it and of course send you some wishes from much more warmer place heh. I love to visit penguins some day :/

    Reply
  4. Coolmons Blog says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Didn’t know there was postal service in Antarctica, interesting.

    Reply
  5. Arti says

    July 3, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Never in my dreams did I think that there exists a post office in Antarctica!!!
    This is just amazing.

    Reply
    • debndave says

      July 16, 2012 at 4:02 am

      Me either. It’s such a fun thing. I guess back in the day, ships passing through would take mail home for researchers and eventually they must have thought, let’s make a proper post office for everyone!

      Reply
  6. Austin Boat Rentals says

    June 30, 2012 at 5:22 am

    Such a nice collection of photos.I really feel amazed after seeing this.

    Reply
  7. promotenav says

    June 16, 2012 at 3:31 am

    This is quite cool to know. Quite a wonderful experience…

    Reply
  8. Vi says

    June 14, 2012 at 9:19 am

    How much is for post stamp?

    Reply
  9. Simon P says

    June 12, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    Antarctica is the place I would most like to visit in the world! It’s such an interesting, creepy, lonely place. When I was at uni in Christchurch, New Zealand, I was tempted to take some science or geography papers that would actually have involved going on a trip to Antarctica – I wish I had now!

    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    June 2, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    How cool. I got a postcard from Antarctica earlier this year, and thought that postal stamp was just about the coolest thing ever.

    Reply
  11. Mary @ Green Global Travel says

    May 21, 2012 at 11:27 am

    Wonder if the penguins send mail out as well… Interesting post!

    Reply
  12. Jump into the Photo says

    May 19, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Good old British! How long were you there for?

    Reply
  13. Aurora says

    May 15, 2012 at 2:34 am

    already on my list of places to go! made it as far as Punta Arenas……I think Antarctica as part of a cruise would be nice

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Dombrowski says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:18 am

    How cool! Sometimes I mail myself postcards from the really fun post offices. Some of my favorites have been the northernmost post office in Svalbard and the Santa Claus Post Office in Rovaniemi, Finland!

    Reply
  15. Jeanie says

    May 12, 2012 at 12:15 am

    Nice sharing of photo..How I wish I could visit this place someday its a beautiful place to visit..

    Reply
  16. Roy Marvelous says

    May 11, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Oh I was hoping you’d say there were Antartica stamps ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  17. Kae Lani | A Travel Broad says

    May 11, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    A post office in Antarctica?! But of course! Where else would I mail my postcards from? Neat find, guys!

    Reply
  18. Damian Tysdal says

    May 11, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Fun to see this ‘space race’ to lay claim, and the museum actually looks very cool. Great photos as well.

    Reply
  19. John says

    May 11, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Beautiful photo! I hope I get to send a letter from there someday.

    Reply
  20. The Travel Tart says

    May 11, 2012 at 8:31 am

    So, did you post me a letter? ;P

    Reply

welcome

Hi weโ€™re Dave and Deb, a Canadian adventure couple who left our careers in the film industry 10 years ago to travel the world. Weโ€™ve been to 115 countries on all seven continents and were named one of the top travel influencers on earth by Forbes.

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