April is quietly one of the best months in the New Zealand calendar. The summer crowds have gone away, the heat has softened, and the country slowly embraces the deep golden and amber hues of autumn. There’s a certain unhurried charm to it, and somewhere in the middle of it all sits the long ANZAC weekend that lands exactly at the right moment, in the right season. The only big question is where to spend it.
The predictable answer — Queenstown, the Coromandel, anywhere with a hot pool — will probably also see you end up spending your long weekend in bumper-to-bumper traffic on State Highway. So, this year, forget the usual suspects. Instead, opt for somewhere quieter, slower, and breathtakingly beautiful. We’ve rounded up our top three destinations.
WAIRARAPA
Wine, wild coastline, and some of the darkest skies in NZ
Pinot noir, seal colonies, and the darkest skies in the North Island; there’s all this and so much more to fall in love with Wairarapa. A mere two hours from Wellington, the Wairarapa is completely removed from the speed of the capital city and embraces a much slower pace. In April, the cellar doors are still open (and less crowded), and the air is cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to sit outside with a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a cheese board that turns a regular afternoon into something more intentional.
Martinborough: the perfect long wine weekend
The beating heart of the Wairarapa, with vineyards producing some of New Zealand’s finest pinot noir. Summer draws the crowd; April, not so much. Te Kairanga, Palliser Estate, Poppies, and Martinborough Vineyard are all within easy cycling distance, so hire a bike from the town centre and spend the afternoon moving between vineyards.
Why Cape Palliser is worth the drive
An hour south of Martinborough, the road to Cape Palliser is dramatically scenic, and at the end of it lies a lighthouse: 258 steps to reach the top for your perfect Instagrammable moment. At the base, it’s home to the largest seal colony in the North Island, sprawled across the rocks and completely indifferent to your presence.
Dark skies: the best stargazing in the North Island
Wairarapa is home to one of New Zealand’s designated Dark Sky Reserves, and April’s crisp, clear autumn nights are perfect for some of the best stargazing experiences. Find a bach, step outside after dinner with a hot cup of cocoa, and look up to see the dance of a million stars.
Where to stay: Find a bach in Wellington-Wairarapa
AKAROA
Dolphins, French charm, and a quieter pace of life
The charming village of Akaroa feels like a world away, especially in autumn, as the town settles into a slower rhythm.
Tucked in the Banks Peninsula, this quaint town with its French heritage has a distinctly European feel with its colonial cottages and boutique cafes and bistros. With golden leaves lining the streets in autumn, there’s a soft, romantic charm to every corner.
Where to see Hector’s dolphins
Akaroa is home to the rare Hector’s dolphin — the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, and a local taonga (treasure). Book one of the harbour cruises with Akaroa Dolphins and spend a morning on the water, watching these small, curious creatures move through the harbour. It is, without question, one of the more quietly extraordinary things you can do in New Zealand.
A walk through NZ’s French-inspired village
Wander through the heart of Akaroa and you’ll find cute cottages, tucked-away galleries, and cafes that invite you to spend long afternoons under a canopy of amber leaves. For a town this size, Akaroa carries a remarkable history, so stop by the Akaroa Museum to explore the layered story of the region.
Where to stay: Find your next bach at Akaroa
HAWKE’S BAY
Art deco and the perfect excuse to open a bottle of sav
If the Wairarapa is intimate and Akaroa is romantic, Hawke’s Bay is the one that surprises you. You arrive for its famous wines but leave talking about the art, the food, and the drive. Late April sits at the beautiful end of harvest season, and similar to Wairarapa, its laid-back vibe is perfect to spend a long weekend.
Explore Napier’s Art Deco streets like a local
Napier was almost entirely destroyed in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake and rebuilt in the architectural style of the moment: Art Deco. The result is that now the region is home to one of the finest collections of Art Deco architecture in the world.
Spend your mornings with a leisurely stroll in the city centre, armed with a self-guided map (the Sea Walls collection of magnificent murals is a must-visit). Between the many fine wineries, fabulous restaurants and bars, good coffees, and boutique shops, a long weekend there barely scratches the surface and leaves you coming back for more.
Meet the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers
The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers is one of the world’s largest and most accessible gannet colonies, and late April is one of the last chances of the season to see the colony before the birds head north.
Ganet Safaris Overland has daily tours at 9:30am and 1:30pm from September to April. Their fleet of 4×4 takes you through the pristine coastline, working farm, and native bush before you reach the top of the gannet colony, where you will encounter 20,000 gannets.
Where to stay: Find your accommodation in Hawke’s Bay
