WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

An online game that makes good use of Wellington’s much-heralded elements is no wind up.

Positively Wellington Tourism has launched an Escape to Wellington game, developed by Sydney company 3RDSENSE, as part of its marketing work in Australia and has now extended the prize offers to local shores.

Chief Executive David Perks says Escape to Wellington – which sees users navigate a hot air balloon through the coolest little capital in the world - was developed as a fun and new way to convey the capital’s compact geography and variety of experiences to Australians, as well as build e-news sign ups, facebook fans and web visitation from across the ditch.

“Escape to Wellington was developed as an Australian marketing initiative so reflects the patchwork creative and message of the There’s No Place Like Wellington campaign. However we liked it so much, we thought we’d make it available to New Zealanders too and have added a new prize component accordingly,” Mr Perks says.

The game comprises three levels, each highlighting different experiences visitors to Wellington and its neighbouring regions can have. Users can Explore Wellington City, Visit Wellington’s Wine Regions or Take to the Water from Wellington. People who play the game can choose to play one, two or all three levels. To play, you navigate a hot air balloon through each level earning 'stars' based on how quickly you complete the level and how many objects you collect along the way. Each star is an entry into a competition to win a trip to Wellington (the Australia prize has a Marlborough add-on).

“The objects you can collect range from coffee, gifts and shopping as you steer past icons like the Cable Car and Te Papa,” says Mr Perks. “You can also float through Wellington’s neighbouring vineyards collecting boutique wine and gourmet cheese, or another level sees you cruise out of Wellington Harbour into the Marlborough Sounds spotting dolphins and seals along the way - but you’ve got to watch out for the rocks.”

:: Play Escape to Wellington now at WellingtonNZ.com/game and enter for your chance to win a trip to Wellington including: return flights for two to Wellington from within New Zealand with Air New Zealand, two nights’ accommodation at the Ibis Wellington, a $150 dining voucher from Logan Brown and tickets for Wellington Cable Car, Carter Observatory and ZEALANDIA. Full details and terms online at WellingtonNZ.com/game. Entries close at 12noon NZT on Monday 24 October.