Long before geocaching built an entire community, mail was another way to discover the world and connect with others. Introduced in 1869 as a way of sending a simple message, postcards quickly evolved beyond their practical purpose to become the universal souvenir that brightens everyone's mailboxes.
Each postcard begins as a small piece of paper but once written, stamped and sent, it becomes something much larger… a bridge between two people. From carefully handwritten messages to the colourful images and stamps, postcards are little surprises that delight, inspire and connect us.
Geocaching, as do postcards, both unite humans through shared experiences and turn ordinary places into meaningful destinations. Whether you sign a log sheet or a postcard, you’re connecting with someone through the joy of discovery.
This year’s World Postcard Day theme, “Paper Bridges”, celebrates that metamorphosis of a paper object into a special form of connection that bridges the space between sender and recipient. It is a playful reminder that postcards do more than carry messages… they help bring us together.
The mailbox isn’t the only place to find something special in October. Earn the World Postcard Day 2026 souvenir by attending this event on the anniversary of the first postcard.
Date: Thursday 1st October 2026
Time: 5.00 – 5.45pm
Location: Market Square Rotunda (posted co-ordinates)
Group Photo: 5.30pm across the road from the park at The Old Wollongong Post & Telegraph Office (now the Illawarra Museum)
