Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the spirit of Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson will be kept alive by a new marine research institute on Hobart's waterfront.
Ms Gillard has visited the site of the University of Tasmania's new facility, which is being built with $45 million of federal government funding.
The prime minister said her visit coincided with a ceremony at Commonwealth Bay in Antarctica to mark the 100th anniversary of Mawson's pioneering journey.
"It's a wonderful time to be investing more in our research capacity, investing in our connection with Antarctica, a history 100 years old but with a great future in front of it," Ms Gillard said.
Due for completion in 2014, the new Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies will be located close to the Australian Antarctic Division and the CSIRO's Marine and Atmospheric Research Laboratories.
Prime Minister Gillard also toured ageing CSIRO research ship the RV Southern Surveyor.
The government has also provided $120 million for a new ship, the RV Investigator, which is due to arrive in Hobart in June 2013.
Acting Tasmanian premier Bryan Green said the growing Antarctic sector was worth more than $182 million to the state's economy and employed around 840 people.
"We anticipate that in future years students and researchers from all around the world will be attracted to this centre of excellence," he said.
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