Obviously, how you get here depends on where you’re coming from! There are a number of bus services that travel from Christchurch, Central Otago and Southland or South Otago. We collect everyone travelling by bus, at the terminal.

Some students travel in their own cars – please contact us beforehand about parking for the week. Many families drop their young people off and pick up again afterwards, and we include a handy map in the handbook for those students who are taking part in Hands-On Science.

If you are flying, internet bookings can be cheaper, but be aware that Hands-On Science is usually over-subscribed and we cannot accept everyone who applies to come. So be careful about booking non-refundable flights.

Orbit Travel in Dunedin is offering to arrange air travel bookings for students from all centres. For fare and flight details please contact Kylie Sutherland at 0800 321 747 or email kylies@orbit.co.nz. The benefit of this is that Orbit will book a flight when a student registers for Hands-On Science, but the booking is only confirmed and paid for if/when the student is accepted in November. This allows students to get better prices for their bookings, without the risk of being left with unwanted bookings on their hands. If you would like to take advantage of this offer please fill in the flight booking section of the registration form.

Once you have been accepted for HoS 2012, Orbit Travel will contact you wtih flight details and costs. please note payment will be required at that time in order to confirm your booking. Travel insurance is available to cover cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

All students (including those from Dunedin) are required to complete a travel form outlining their arrival and departure details. This form will be sent to students together with the acceptance letter. This enables us to collect everyone arriving on buses and planes, and to have a rough idea when to expect those of you arriving by car.

Hands-On Science commences with registration from 2.30 pm on Sunday and finishes at 1.00 pm after lunch on Friday. Having said that, if your flight gets you to Dunedin earlier than 2.30 we will pick you up and get you settled in to Arana, even give you lunch … that’s just the kind of people we are…

Transport to and from the airport and bus terminals is free; it’s all part of our friendly service!