Festival Worker Takes on Unique Role as Antarctic Postmaster

George Clarke will spend five months at Port Lockroy, running the tiny post office while living alongside a Gentoo penguin colony, embracing the isolation and new experiences that come with life in Antarctica.

A Bristol man, George Clarke, is set to embark on an extraordinary journey as he takes on the role of postmaster at the world’s most southerly post office located in Antarctica. Clarke, 34, who typically works in music festivals, will leave behind his usual surroundings to manage the post office on Goudier Island, which is home to a museum and a Gentoo penguin colony.

Despite having no prior experience in the postal service, Clarke is excited about the opportunity. He was drawn to the role after reading an article about last year’s postmaster and decided to give it a shot. In preparation for the position, the recruitment process included an assortment of challenges, such as assembling a tent while blindfolded and wearing oven mitts.

Clarke will be accompanying a team of four individuals, including wildlife monitors and managers, as they work together to run the post office and museum. Their communal living arrangement will take place in a Nissen hut where they will have limited access to modern luxuries, despite the availability of internet. "We want to fully embrace the remote environment, so we plan to minimize our screen time," he shared.

In addition to managing mail that arrives via passing cruise ships, Clarke looks forward to engaging in artistic pursuits, reading, and enjoying the breathtaking Antarctic landscape. The team will soon travel from the UK to Argentina and then set sail through the notoriously turbulent Drake Passage to reach their destination. With five months of near-constant daylight ahead, Clarke remains optimistic and open-minded about the unique experiences that await him in Antarctica.