Postal workers in a remote Antarctic location reveal what their job is REALLY like – from not having a toilet to dealing with smelly penguin poo on the way to work

Do you have what it takes to work in the southernmost post office in the world?

To give potential candidates a glimpse into life in Antarctica’s Port Lockroy, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust has uploaded a series of TikToks filmed at the remote post depot.

The charity is recruiting a new team of workers to travel to the remote site from November to March each year for the Antarctic summer, when ships pass through the region. However, the videos show that working there is not for the faint of heart.

Difficult tasks include constant snow removal, dealing with extreme weather conditions, and living with thousands of penguins who have particularly smelly guano, also known as penguin poop.

In a clip, former Port Lockroy recruit Clare Ballantyne reveals what she thought after arriving on the snow-covered island

There are thousands of penguins on the island and they have a particularly smelly guano or penguin poo

A location map showing where the external post office is located

In a question and answer session posted on the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust website, former Port Lockroy employees also reveal that living conditions on the small island are very basic: “No WiFi, no running water, very little communication, no private space not.”

There is also no flush toilet, rather a “very basic” bucket-style latrine that must be emptied daily.

While some TikToks show the harsh side of life in Port Lockroy, others highlight what a special and unique place it is.

In one clip, former Port Lockroy recruit Clare Ballantyne takes viewers on her morning commute.

She reveals that she doesn’t have to walk far from the lodge to the post office and that the views on her short walk are simply breathtaking.

Clare navigates rocky terrain and encounters penguins along the way. Thanks to the sunny weather, the surrounding water is glassy and calm, offering clear views of the snow-capped mountains beyond.

“The island looks particularly beautiful as fresh snow fell overnight,” Clare tells viewers.

She continues: “The penguins are pretty quiet this morning, with only a few chicks looking away.”

“Moulting Penguin Hill is as populated as ever. They are all getting ready to leave the bay in search of food.”

Another TikTok captures Clare’s reaction after arriving at the base for the first time.

As she exits one of the buildings, she exclaims, “Absolutely amazed… honestly it exceeded all my expectations.

“Not that I really knew what to expect…but the penguins are everywhere.”

While some TikToks show the harsh side of life in Port Lockroy, others highlight what a special and unique place it is

In the four months that the post office is open, more than 100,000 letters and postcards are sent

As new recruits land in Port Lockroy, a TikTok explains that the first task is to dig the buildings out of more than 4 meters of snow and create paths around the island.

The training required to work in Port Lockroy includes learning remote first aid and a lecture from a “penguinologist”.

As new recruits land in Port Lockroy, a TikTok explains that the first task is to dig the buildings out of more than 4 meters of snow and create paths around the island.

Depending on weather conditions, it can sometimes take more than a week.

The Port Lockroy post office is on Goudier Island, which is about the size of a football field.

The site was originally the first permanent British base in Antarctica during the Second World War, established so that Britain could make a territorial claim.

Postage stamps are a legal form of currency, so the secret base was operated partly as a post office to bolster claims of sovereignty over the continent, emphasizing that the British had established a genuine piece of official territory there.

Port Lockroy, or “Base A” as it was originally called, closed in 1962 when Britain established larger and more modern bases on the mainland.

However, following a conservation survey in 1994, Port Lockroy was recognized for its historical significance and converted into a working post office, gift shop and museum by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.

More than 3,000 historical artifacts were recovered, including unopened cans of corned beef and mashed potatoes.

Today, five postal workers and a team of carpenters are deployed to work on the island every summer season.

The vacancies are advertised publicly and a new team is planned soon.

In the four months that the post office is open, more than 100,000 letters and postcards are sent.

The mail is taken by ship to the Falkland Islands, where it is loaded onto a military aircraft and flown to the UK. Once the mail arrives, it goes back into the UK postal system.

There is no internet, but there is a satellite phone that you can use to call home occasionally.

Employees get a day off every two weeks, but when they have free time, they can’t actually go anywhere.

Before staff arrive for the season, food supplies are sent by ship to Port Lockroy, with several boxes of chocolates raffled off. Most goods are available canned or dried.

The new team will spend five months on the island, spending Christmas together and looking after the charity’s flagship charity.

Training for the trip includes learning remote first aid and a lecture from a “penguinologist.”