An expedition around New Zealand is aiming to save the historic Hillary's Hut in Antarctica.

The Antarctic Heritage Trust has organised the Expedition South fundraiser to raise $1 million for repairing the dilapidated building, set up by Sir Edmund Hilary in 1957.

Three Massey Ferguson tractors will be driven more than 2000 kilometres around New Zealand, in homage to a similar trip the explorer made across the icy continent.

One of the tractor driver's Al Fastier, said the hut is an important part of the country's history in the Antarctic.

"Not only was it the base where Sir Ed left on his famous adventure to the pole, but it was also the birth place of New Zealand's Antarctic science."

The hut was a forerunner to the present day New Zealand research facility at Scott Base.