A National Fund Raising Campaign to conserve the historic site of the most significant expedition in Australia's Antarctic history was announced by Senator Ian Campbell, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Australia's Antarctic Territory.

The campaign was announced today at the opening of Looking South: Amazing Antarctica, a photographic exhibition of images from the Antarctic on display at AAP's Sydney Office.

Senator Campbell said that this $2 million appeal to save Mawson's Huts would not be possible without the AAP Group who will co-ordinate the fund raising campaign.

"This will be the last opportunity to save these historic huts which should be kept as a memorial to Australia's Greatest Antarctic Explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson and those Australians who laid the foundations for Australia's presence in the Antarctic," Senator Campbell said.

"The Federal Government fully supports this initiative undertaken by the AAP Group which will involve co-operation with the Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Heritage Commision."

"The AAP Group has had a long history of involvement with Australia's Antarctic and deserve recognition for their commitment to this project which is of great importance to Australia's Antarctic Heritage."

"Southern Heritage Expeditions, a company based in Christchurch NZ which runs tours along the coast of Antarctica, also deserves recognition for its offer of transportation assistance, " Senator Campbell.

Sir Douglas built the main hut and several smaller huts in 1912 when he led the Australasian Expedition which landed a party of 18 at Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay.

The expedition remained at Cape Denison until December 1913 after exploring by sledge and ship more than 1100 kms of shoreline and penetrated 400 kms inland toward the south magnetic pole.