The hut, built in 1954, had been slept in by Sir Edmund Hillary and had previouslyhoused United States and New Zealand scientists at McMurdo Sound. It was acquired two years ago by local man and internationally renowned Antarctic historian Dr David Harrowfield, who said he was "thrilled" a permanent home had been found for the hut on the Oamaru waterfront.
Dr Harrowfield said the Waitaki District Council and Tourism Waitaki had supported him in bringing the hut to Oamaru, and that the hut should be open to the public in time for the centennial commemoration of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated polar expedition.
"The Scott 100 commemoration is the perfect opportunity to permanently instate the hut as an Antarctica educational facility for Oamaru locals and visitors.
"Following the Scott 100 commemoration in February 2013, the hut will become an integral part of a tour around the Oamaru Harbour area that can take in other features of interest concerning Antarctica."
Oamaru Scott 100 commemoration committee co-convener Bruce Albiston said the hut would become a "significant" point of interest for visitors to the town.
"It indicates the opportunity that we have to give Oamaru a special place that will identify the quite specific significance of the Scott expedition and its association with New Zealand."
Mr Albiston said the hut was a "wonderful gift" and would provide visitors with a "very real" experience of life in the Antarctic.
A week-long commemoration to mark Scott's 1913 expedition will take place in Oamaru on February 6. Further details of the centennial commemoration would be released to Culture and Heritage Minister Chris Finlayson on September 7, Mr Albiston said.
