That's how it has been promoted to visitors and I have to say that after a flying visit there last month the city has a vibrancy and pulse about it that lives up to the catch cry. The Lord of the Rings has had a huge impact on the city - it is home to WETA studios and Peter Jackson and they are proud to claim them both as their own.

Wellington has always been considered New Zealands arts and cultural centre with events such as the biannual New Zealand Arts Festival which is hosted here, the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa and art galleries galore as well as a great range of eating, drinking and shopping experiences. If you happen to be in Wellington on a Saturday during the winter there are some great games of International rugby on at the Westpac Stadium.

Wellington is a great place to spend a few days exploring and recharging the batteries before you move onto the South Island or head North.

There is a wonderful range of accommodation on offer and I was able to visit some gorgeous properties including boutique hotels, bed and breakfast and a couple of properties which I considered to be really special - 298 Oriental Parade and The Gatehouse in Lowry Bay.

More details about Wellington.

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Australia News

Like a silver snake slithering through a rust-coloured desert, Australia's longest passenger train winds its way through the heart of the nation from the far south to the tropical north. The 47-hour journey gives travellers a moving snapshot of the unique Australian landscape, starting at the sparkling Southern Ocean, through ochre deserts and lush cattle country before arriving in Darwin. The three-quarter-mile train marks the fulfillment of a century-old dream for passenger trains to travel the length of Australia and finally became reality in February this year.

"The Ghan", is named after the pioneering Afghan camel riders who travelled this route carrying goods and communication to outback towns. Residents from towns and some of the nation's most remote communities along the track came out to watch the gleaming 45-carriage train as it roared past for the first time. Some waved flags. Two farmers held up a placard reading "At Last." The idea of a transcontinental railway was first mooted 100 years ago and it is 75 years since the first train travelled from Adelaide to Alice Springs in central Australia. But after years of economic and political debates, the dream of a south-to-north railway only just become reality when a $1 billion extension to Darwin was completed using a mix of private, state and national funding.

The track extension was billed as one of Australia's biggest infrastructure projects, involving 93 bridges, two million concrete sleepers and 146,000 tons of steel rail.

Around $A11 million worth of tickets were sold before the first train even departed such is the interest and romance inspired by great train journeys.

For further information and bookings see The Ghan.

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Pacific Island News

We have been researching some new resorts and honeymoon options for Tahiti and have added these to our website at Bora Bora Honeymoon and Tahiti Honeymoon.

Tahiti has long been a dream wedding and honeymoon destination and has a range of world class resorts and hotels to make the most of the stunning lagoons and mountain scenery. Check out the links above to see more - the photos are very enticing and lets face it, you don't need a honeymoon for an excuse to visit these beautiful locations!

For more information contact us..

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