Port Lockroy

Port Lockroy is a natural harbor of Wince Island in Antarctica, and its eponymous base located on tiny Goudier Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent. Discovered only in 1904, the island was once used for whaling and later as a British military base. In the 1990s the base was renovated and turned into a museum and gift shop, the proceeds of which go to help conserve both Port Lockroy and other historic sites around Antarctica.

The base also conducts important research, including monitoring the effects of human visitors to the continent. Scientists use the data obtained to further regulate both the numbers of ships and people allowed to visit, thereby ensuring the longtime conservation of one of the most pristine natural wonders in the world. By far the most popular attraction at the base is the Post Office that mails around 70,000 post cards a year to more than 100 countries. Mail takes about 2-4 weeks to arrive depending on the location; not bad for mail service from the bottom of the world.