Wellington - the cultural and culinary capital of New Zealand, is emerging rapidly as a short break destination for travelling Australians, with fine wining and dining, arts and culture, great nightlife, excellent shopping and touring opportunities

Wellington, New Zealand's cultural and culinary capital, has launched its first Australian television commercial, to highlight the many attractions which make the city the perfect short break destination.

The 15 second commercial was aired in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and invites Australians to cross the ditch and experience those things that Wellington is most famous for; a vibrant downtown area, a variety of entertainment, amazing food and wine experiences and a strong arts and cultural offering.

Wellington's conventions market is continuing to be a strong driver of visitation to the capital, according to the latest results in a regional visitor survey. The Regional Visitor Monitor (RVM) recently released its April to June 2006 results. A joint venture between the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism New Zealand and six regional tourism organisations (RTOs), the monitor aims to give seasonal 'snapshots' of visitors' experiences in the regions surveyed.

Melbourne has its iconic trams. Sydney has its monorail. But nothing can match the uniqueness of Wellington's historic Cable Car, which runs from Lambton Quay in the city centre to a spectacular hilltop lookout, where visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and harbour.

Wellington's events calendar is bursting with events and exhibitions that will blow any art lover's mind.  One of the world's most extraordinary art events, the annual Montana World of WearableArt Awards Show (WOW), will be staged in Wellington again from 21 September - 1 October.

Wellington Online in Oz

Australians wanting to visit Wellington now have an easy new resource to help them plan – an Aussie version of the popular Positively Wellington Tourism website.

Wellington's official tourism website, WellingtonNZ.com, now gives Australians targeted information about the city including holiday packages, itinerary suggestions and the capacity to book online.

Wellington Gears up to Host World's Biggest Rugby Festival

The Russians are coming. So are Sicily, Spain the USA and many, many more, including Australia, when Wellington hosts the world's biggest rugby festival later this year.

From 29 October to 5 November more than 4,000 rugby-mad people will descend on Wellington, the home of New Zealand rugby, for the 16th Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival.

For more details on the 2006 Air New Zealand World Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival, visit www.goldenoldiessports.com.

Constable
5/07/2006 - 8/10/2006
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
This breathtaking exhibition showcases the work of John Constable (1776–1837), one of the greatest English landscape painters.

Writers on Mondays
17/07/2006 - 2/10/2006
City Gallery Wellington 
Just over fifty poets, playwrights, novelists, non-fiction writers and filmmakers from New Zealand, Ireland and Australia will take part in this free series running on Mondays.

Montana World of WearableArt Awards Show (WOW)
21/09/2006 - 1/10/2006
The Events Centre 
The Montana World of WearableArt Awards Show is a non-stop spectacular!

Wellington Home and Garden Show
29/09/2006 - 1/10/2006
Westpac Stadium 
There's something for everyone at the Wellington Home and Garden Show.

Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival
29 Oct – 05 Nov 06
Various Wellington locations
Teams from around the world will gather as Wellington hosts the biggest rugby festival in the world.

For more great events in the Wellington region and Wairarapa, visit Wellington's official tourism website, WellingtonNZ.com