Flying into Wellington on a clear day is a breathtaking introduction to New Zealand's capital city. Stretched along a glistening harbour and backdropped by tree-clad hills, the city is truly one of the most beautiful in the world.

Wellington is a city with a heart full of flavour and flair. Food, wine, nightlife, shopping and the performing arts intricately combine to make the city a cosmopolitan and vibrant destination - a stuffy capital city, it definitely is not!

Wellington is compact - the surrounding hills serve to concentrate the energy and buzz of the downtown, making for the ambience of a much larger metropolis.

Walking is often the best way of getting around. Venues, accommodation, shopping, restaurants and entertainment are all in close proximity to each other and often on the edge of the stunning harbour to enjoy magnificent views.

Shopping caters for all tastes and styles. Skip from high fashion to funk in a short stroll. Divided into four distinctive quarters, each with its own personality and flair; there's Lambton Quay if you're looking for luxury, Willis St for the more high-brow persona, Cuba St for something that little bit urban bohemian and Courtenay Place for sheer entertainment and culinary delights.

The city is recognised as providing an abundance of culture - theatre, art and music-makers and lovers alike, are drawn to the capital, especially during its bi-ennial New Zealand International Festival of Arts.

For a bit of history and fitness rolled into one, walk the self-guided Heritage Trail around the city, and if you're feeling particularly robust, walk up Mt Victoria for magnificent 360-degree views of the city.

Soak up the city's early beginnings with a wander through Thorndon, the country's oldest suburb, and marvel at the colonial architecture, or hunt treasures in the antique shops.

Nearby is one of the nation's landmarks, the 'Beehive', where the Government presides. Rumoured to have been sketched on a table napkin, the building is so named for obvious reasons. Take a tour through the majestically refurbished Parliament Buildings.

At night the city comes to life with the curtain lifting at five professional theatres in the city centre. There's plenty of choice to satisfy a wide range of other cultural palates, with Wellington the home of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Royal New Zealand Ballet, National Opera and City Gallery.

Two particularly stunning new features of the city are the Westpac Stadium, on the fringe of the CBD and where many of the nation's sporting events take place, and the museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (pr: 'Teh Pah-pah Tawng-ah-reh-wah'), the country's national museum. They are contrastingly different and excitingly unique for hosting events.

Wellington, a key component of the 'Centre Stage' of New Zealand, is close to the pleasures of the rest. The vineyards of Martinborough, a countryside drive north of the city, are matched by those of Nelson and Marlborough, at the northern tip of the South Island, a majestic and stunning ferry ride away through the Marlborough Sounds.

There is an abundance of luxury lodges and both sedate and exciting activities. It makes for a wonderful range of options for pre- and post-conferences and partners' trips.

Wellington is at the bottom of the North Island and the centre of New Zealand, making it a perfect base to explore the rest of the country. The city has its own international airport, with direct flights from Australia and is easily accessible by road, rail and sea. Check out the official website: www.WellingtonNZ.com for more about Wellington!