The 2015 NZIMRT-AIR Scientific Meeting is being hosted in Wellington, New Zealand.

Famous for a vibrant creative culture fuelled by great food, wine, craft beer and coffee, Wellington is a cosmopolitan city with an energetic personality. Nestled between the fertile rural heartland of New Zealand’s North Island, and the bountiful waters of Cook Strait, this harbour city is the country’s capital.

An easily walkable downtown leads to a waterfront precinct dotted with parks, cafes and weekend markets. Threaded with 425 hectares of bush-clad town belt and a bordered by a coast of long, sandy beaches and rugged shorelines, the city sits lightly on the landscape. In Wellington people live and work close to nature. Download a map of the city here.

Fresh, locally sourced produce from land and sea is well served by Wellington’s many restaurants. Global influences from a diverse population, plus a competitive restaurant scene have made Wellington into a world-class culinary destination. At the centre of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, the perfect local match to any dish is easily found.

Internationally recognised for roasting and presentation, Wellington serves some of the best coffee on the planet.  And, in recent years, the craft beer revolution has caught the city’s imagination, with experimental micro-breweries and specialist bars springing up all over.

From classical institutions to major contemporary cultural events, Wellington is a hub for artistic expression. Museums, theatres, public sculpture and poetry are woven into the urban landscape, creating an environment of discovery and storytelling. 

Are you a die-hard LOTR fan, or interested in making the Middle-earth journey? We're happy to recommend Flat Earth New Zealand Experiences with tours of all the Middle-earth film locations! Email conferences@air.asn.au to register your interest. We are looking at half or full day tours on Thursday 23 July and will get a great price for groups of 20 or more! 

If you're into the outdoors, action-packed adventure activities like mountain-biking and sea-water kayaking can be found in Wellington and beyond, as well as beautiful walks around the harbour and surrounding hills. The mostly off-road 23 Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail introduce both recreational cyclists and passionate mountain bikers to nature, national parks and constantly-changing scenery. If your interests lie on the golf course, you can't miss Kauri Cliffs and Jack’s Point which have been designed to make the most of the natural terrain and to show off the best scenery.

Don't miss these highlights

• Visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Interactive exhibits and technology tell New Zealand’s stories in history in captivating ways.
• Stop for a coffee, a cocktail or a bite to eat. With over 300 cafes, bars and restaurants in Wellington, it is known as the culinary capital of New Zealand.
• Take a short drive to the top of Mount Victoria for a panoramic view of this gorgeous city.
• Ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car to the top for stunning views over the city before discovering New Zealand's stories of the stars at Carter Observatory. Wander back to the city through the Botanic Gardens.
• Wellington offers great shopping, from famous New Zealand designers like Karen Walker and Zambesi, to successful local designers like Mandatory, Starfish and Andrea Moore.
• Explore Middle Earth with a tour around the Wellington sites used during filming the Lord of the Rings movies. Follow up with a visit to Weta Cave - a mini museum that houses memorabilia and props from movies such as King Kong, Lord of the Rings, Avatar and Tintin.
• For wildlife enthusiasts, visit ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, home to the iconic kiwi and other endangered NZ wildlife, only ten minutes from downtown. Or explore the rugged south coast by safari and see New Zealand fur seals.
• Journey an hour and a half over the hills to the wine village of Martinborough. Explore over 30 boutique wineries in the region by bicycle or join an organised wine tour. For a shopping fix, head down the road to Greytown, a town planned in the Victorian era. Allow time to wander, browse the antique stores, take in the atmosphere and chic shopping.

Planning a longer stay?

Make the most of your visit across the ditch with these ready-to-go itineraries from Tourism New Zealand! Why not download the official Essential New Zealand travel guide app, available at the App Store or Google Play.