View of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge at morning sunrise.

Sending a Postcard from Australia: Postage, Duration & Stamps

From the Outback to the Sydney Opera House – here is how your greetings from the other side of the world get home safely and above all quickly.

"G'day mate!" Australia is the ultimate dream destination. Whether on a Work & Travel trip along the East Coast, diving at the Great Barrier Reef, or on a road trip through the Red Centre – the experiences in Down Under are unforgettable.

But anyone who wants to send a sign of life to family or friends over 16,000 kilometers away needs one thing above all: patience. The "Australia Post" is well-organized, but the journey halfway around the globe takes time. In addition, international postage costs have risen significantly in recent years. In this guide, we clarify what the current postage is, where you can find the distinctive red mailboxes, and how you can get your greetings from the beach to the living room at home often weeks faster.

Last updated: April 2026

The Postal System in Down Under

The Australia Post (AusPost) is omnipresent, but for international shipments, the sheer distance strikes mercilessly.
A classic red mailbox of Australia Post on the sidewalk.
Photo by pen_ash on Unsplash

The red boxes of the Australia Post

Mailboxes in Australia are usually found as pillars on the sidewalks. Remember: Red is for standard letters and international postcards ("Standard Post"). The yellow boxes are reserved for national express shipments.

16,000 kilometers as the crow flies

The biggest problem when shipping from Australia is pure physics. Even if the mail travels by plane (Air Mail), sorting, customs clearance, and onward transport in Europe take an extremely long time. A 3 to 4 week wait is the absolute rule.
The front of a classic Australian Newsagency shop.
Photo by Tim Malone

The Newsagencies

If the nearest post office is closed (opening hours are often strictly 9-5), you can try your luck in a local "newsagency". These kiosks sell newspapers, lottery tickets and fortunately often international stamps.

Phrasebook: Aussie Slang at the Post Office

In Australia, people naturally speak English, but the charming 'Aussie Slang' doesn\'t stop at the post office. Here's how to order your stamps like a local.
Hello! / How are you?

🇦🇺G'day! / How ya goin'?

🗣️G-day! / How ya go-in?

I need a stamp to Europe, please.

🇦🇺I need a stamp to Europe, please.

🗣️I need a stamp to Eu-rope, please.

Where is the nearest red post box?

🇦🇺Where is the nearest red post box?

🗣️Where is the near-est red post box?

No problem / You're welcome.

🇦🇺No worries!

🗣️No wor-ries!

Thanks / Bye!

🇦🇺Cheers, mate!

🗣️Cheers, mate!

How much is the postage from Australia to Europe?

Current prices for international letter shipping (International Letter). (As of: 2026)

Local Facts (Australia Post)

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Postcard (Souvenir Shop)approx. €1.00 - €2.00
Stamp (Int. Letter)approx. €1.80 - €2.10 (AusPost)
Total cost per cardapprox. €2.80 - €4.10
Effort on vacationFinding a post office or newsagency
Delivery time (Based on experience)Often 3 to 4 weeks

The Smart Alternative: SlickPostcard

Turn your Quokka selfie into a real postcard! Since we print and ship in Europe, your card is usually with your loved ones in 3-6days – instead of 4 weeks.

  • Use your own Quokka selfies or Outback pictures directly as a real postcard
  • Fixed price €3.49 incl. postage – no need to convert Australian Dollars
  • Printed & shipped from Europe: Your card skips the 16,000 km flight and arrives in a few days!
  • Full flexibility in the campervan: Just design and send it in the nearest Wi-Fi
📸

Own Photos or Professional Motifs?

Was the kangaroo too fast for the camera? On Unsplash you'll find breathtaking Australian motifs that you can use for your card for free. Check out our step-by-step guide for more details!

Directly to Image Search:magazin.postkarte_gestalten
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Inspiration: Greetings from the other side of the world

„G'day from Down Under! The kangaroos are cute, the spiders luckily small so far, and the Vegemite still takes getting used to. I'm doing fantastic!“
„Greetings from the other side of the world! The water glitters, the sand crunches, and I successfully learned how to stand on a surfboard (for exactly 3 seconds).“
„Work & Travel Update: I'm still alive! We spent hours admiring the red nothingness in the Outback today. Sending you sunny greetings from the campervan and missing German bread!“

Writer's block? Our AI formulates your perfect backpacker greeting!

Dein Text mit

Frequently Asked Questions about Postcards from Down Under

How long does a postcard from Australia to Europe take?

For international mail (Standard Air Mail) from Australia Post, you should expect 15 to 25 business days. If the card comes from the Outback or smaller towns, it can easily take up to 4 weeks to land in Europe.

Why is my postcard from Australia not arriving?

The journey from "Down Under" is literally halfway around the world. Standard airmail often takes 15-25 business days. During peak times (e.g. Christmas) or with address errors, it can unfortunately take even longer.

How much is a stamp from Australia to Europe?

The international postage (Rest of the World) is quite expensive with Australia Post. Currently, a stamp for a postcard costs about $3.00 to $3.50 Australian Dollars (about 1.80 € to 2.10 €).

Where can I buy stamps in Australia?

The best place to buy stamps is directly at the branches of "Australia Post" (often abbreviated as AusPost). Sometimes well-stocked newsagencies or souvenir shops also have them in stock.

Red or Yellow: Which mailbox do I have to use?

Australia Post has two colors for mailboxes. The red boxes are for regular mail (including international airmail). The yellow boxes are exclusively for Express Post. So always drop your international postcard in the red box!

Where can I find free photos of kangaroos or the Outback for my Australia greetings?

Often the perfect wildlife photo is blurry. On the internet, platforms like Unsplash offer millions of free, professional photos. Search terms like "Kangaroo", "Outback" or "Sydney Opera" deliver breathtaking results. In our guide for free motifs, we explain exactly how it works.