QuickSnap celebrates 40 years by inviting Australians to find the Kombi Time Machine and travel like it’s 1986

Sydney 21st September 2026: What if you could travel like it was the 80s? Back when notifications weren’t buzzing, doomscrolling was non-existent, and when you went on holiday, you stayed in the moment.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the QuickSnap camera, FUJIFILM Australia has launched the QuickSnap Time Machine competition to take Aussies back to a time when they captured memories, not content. From today, clues will lead the public to the location of a retro Kombi, where they could win one of two getaways worth over $3,000 each, complete with accommodation, spending money and three QuickSnap cameras to document the adventure.

The QuickSnap Time Machine taps into a growing desire for slower, more authentic experiences. New research commissioned by FUJIFILM Australia reveals two-thirds (66%) of Australians believe smartphones have made it harder to be fully present and enjoy life’s everyday moments, while 6 in 10 (60%) believe holidays were more enjoyable before smartphones became part of everyday life.

The feeling is particularly strong among younger Australians. More than half of Gen Z (58%) say they feel pressure to photograph or share special moments rather than simply enjoy them, while 6 in 10 Millennials (61%) say they would enjoy travelling more if they swapped their smartphone for a film camera on a getaway.

Those lucky enough to find the Kombi will trade their smartphone (temporarily) for a QuickSnap camera and head off on a surprise escape where they can capture every moment the ‘old-fashioned’ way.

Mary Georgievski, General Manager - Photo Imaging, Recording Media & Industrial Products, FUJIFILM Australia, said: 

“We talk a lot about digital detoxes and ‘touching grass’, but almost 7 in 10 Australians believe people were happier in the 1980s, and three-quarters think life is more complicated today. There’s clearly something about the simplicity of that era that still resonates.

“For QuickSnap’s 40th anniversary, we wanted to bring a little of that feeling back – giving people the chance to put down their phone, embrace the spontaneity of not knowing how every photo will turn out, and simply enjoy the moment. Ultimately, it’s about creating experiences that bring people together and put a few more smiles into the world.”

Since launching in 1986, QuickSnap cameras have sold more than 1.7 billion cameras worldwide and have become one of the most recognisable products in photography. 40 years on, its unique appeal continues to resonate with a new generation seeking more authentic ways to capture life's moments.

Follow @fujifilmphotosaus from today for clues revealing the QuickSnap Time Machine’s location and your chance to score a surprise getaway.

The QuickSnap Black & White camera is available from December at participating retailers nationwide. Consumers can discover the wider range at JB HI-FI, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, and other participating leading retailers nationwide, from the everyday versatility of the original QuickSnap camera with built-in flash to the adventure-ready QuickSnap Waterproof camera, designed for use in and around water up to 10 metres deep.