Antarctic rescue team arrives

Australia's ice breaker vessel the Aurora Australis has arrived in Antarctica to collect a seriously ill expeditioner.

The ill man will be taken aboard, while the ship's fuel tank will be topped up at Davis station over the next 48 hours.

The Australian Antarctic Division's Operations Manager Robb Clifton said he hopes the ship can begin its journey back to Hobart on Monday.

Favourable weather conditions are forecast, which would allow the ship to depart.

Aurora Australis will take about two weeks to reach the Tasmanian capital.

The expeditioner remains in a stable condition and is receiving ongoing treatment for his undisclosed illness from the station doctor.

The man arrived in Antarctica in November and had been due to spend the winter at the base.