Top 5 Countries to Visit This April and May from New Zealand: A Traveller’s Guide

By New Zealand Bharat News | April 01, 2025 | 08:18 PM NZDT

For New Zealanders, April and May 2025 signal autumn’s embrace—cooler days, golden foliage, and a quieter pace after summer’s bustle. It’s an ideal window to escape overseas, chasing mild weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant seasonal experiences. With 2.96 million Kiwi departures in the year to February 2024 (Infometrics, 2024), travel remains a national passion, and the shoulder seasons of April–May in the Northern Hemisphere offer uncrowded gems. This article provides background on Kiwi travel trends, lists the top five countries to visit from New Zealand this April and May, details activities and costs, offers a personal recommendation, and concludes with a summary of why these destinations shine.

Background Information

New Zealand’s love for travel is well-documented. In the year to February 2024, Australia topped Kiwi destinations with 1.1 million visits, followed by Fiji (204,000) and the USA (167,000), with Asia’s allure growing—nine of the top 20 spots (Infometrics, 2024). April and May, NZ’s autumn (17–21°C, NIWA, 2025), align with spring or early summer abroad, offering pleasant climates and shoulder-season savings. NZ’s 92% internet penetration (Stats NZ, 2024) and Air New Zealand’s extensive network—26 international routes (Air NZ, 2025)—make planning seamless. The NZD’s strength (0.60 USD, March 31, 2025) and visa-free access to 143 countries (VisaIndex, 2025) further ease outbound trips. Shoulder seasons abroad mean 20–30% lower costs and 40% fewer tourists (TourRadar, 2024), ideal for Kiwis seeking value and tranquility.

List of Countries and Things to Do

1. Japan

• Why Visit: Spring (March–May) brings cherry blossoms (sakura), mild weather (15–22°C, JMA, 2025), and fewer crowds post-peak bloom in early April.
• Things to Do:
  • Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami): Stroll Ueno Park (Tokyo) or Maruyama Park (Kyoto) for late blooms; picnics under sakura trees draw 2 million annually (JNTO, 2024).
  • Hike Mount Fuji: May’s clear skies and pre-summer quiet (10,000 climbers vs. 300,000 in July, Fuji City, 2024) suit day hikes to the fifth station (2,305 m).
  • Explore Kyoto’s Temples: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) or Fushimi Inari’s 10,000 gates; 30% fewer visitors than summer (Kyoto Tourism, 2025).
  • Sumo Tournament: The May Grand Tournament in Tokyo (May 11–25, 2025) offers tickets from $40 NZD (Japan Sumo Association, 2025).
• Details: Japan’s blend of tradition and modernity shines in spring. Hanami is free, temples charge $5–10 NZD entry, and Fuji hikes need sturdy shoes and layers (10°C at altitude).
• Approximate Costs: Flights (AKL–NRT, $1,200–1,600 NZD return, Air NZ, 2025), accommodation (hotels/hostels, $80–150 NZD/night), food/activities ($50–100 NZD/day). Total (7 days): $2,260–3,050 NZD/person.

2. Italy

• Why Visit: Spring (15–22°C, AccuWeather, 2025) offers blooming countryside, uncrowded cities, and pre-summer rates—40% cheaper than July (ENIT, 2024).
• Things to Do:
  • Rome’s Colosseum and Pantheon: Explore ancient ruins; April–May sees 25% fewer visitors (Italian Tourism, 2025). Entry: $25–30 NZD.
  • Tuscany Wine Tasting: Cycle or tour vineyards near Florence; tastings cost $20–50 NZD (Tuscany Tourism, 2025).
  • Cinque Terre Hikes: Walk the 11-km Sentiero Azzurro between five cliffside villages; May’s 18°C weather is ideal (Cinque Terre NP, 2024).
  • Venice Gondola Rides: Glide canals for $130 NZD/30 min; quieter spring avoids summer’s 50,000 daily tourists (Venice Tourism, 2024).
• Details: Italy’s history, cuisine, and landscapes thrive in spring. Museums need bookings; hiking requires $10 NZD/day permits.
• Approximate Costs: Flights (AKL–FCO via SIN, $2,000–2,500 NZD return), accommodation ($100–200 NZD/night), food/activities ($70–120 NZD/day). Total (7 days): $3,190–4,010 NZD/person.

3. Fiji

• Why Visit: April–May marks the dry season’s start (25–30°C, Fiji Met, 2025), with low humidity and 20% fewer visitors than July (Tourism Fiji, 2024).
• Things to Do:
  • Snorkel Coral Reefs: Dive the Yasawa Islands’ soft corals; trips cost $50–80 NZD (Fiji Dive, 2025).
  • Kayak Navua River: Paddle past waterfalls near Pacific Harbour; $100 NZD/day tours (Tourism Fiji, 2025).
  • Visit Sabeto Hot Springs: Relax in mud pools near Nadi; entry $20 NZD (Fiji Tourism, 2024).
  • Lovo Feast: Join a village meal (underground-cooked food); $30–40 NZD (Cultural Fiji, 2025).
• Details: Fiji’s 333 islands offer beaches and culture. Snorkeling needs gear ($20 NZD/day rental); hot springs are a 20-min drive from Nadi.
• Approximate Costs: Flights (AKL–NAN, $600–900 NZD return), accommodation (resorts/hostels, $60–150 NZD/night), food/activities ($40–80 NZD/day). Total (7 days): $1,320–2,010 NZD/person.

4. Croatia

• Why Visit: Spring (15–20°C, DHMZ, 2025) brings blooming Dalmatian coastlines, quiet medieval towns, and 30% lower costs than summer (Croatia Tourism, 2024).
• Things to Do:
  • Dubrovnik Old Town: Walk the 2-km city walls; $40 NZD entry, 50% fewer tourists (Dubrovnik Tourism, 2025).
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park: Hike 16 terraced lakes and waterfalls; $25 NZD entry (Plitvice NP, 2025).
  • Split’s Diocletian’s Palace: Explore Roman ruins; free entry, guided tours $20 NZD (Split Tourism, 2024).
  • Island Hopping: Ferry to Hvar or Korčula; $15–30 NZD/trip (Jadrolinija, 2025).
• Details: Croatia’s Adriatic charm peaks in spring. Plitvice trails (8 km) need 4–5 hours; ferries run hourly from Split.
• Approximate Costs: Flights (AKL–ZAG via DXB, $2,200–2,800 NZD return), accommodation ($80–160 NZD/night), food/activities ($50–100 NZD/day). Total (7 days): $3,010–3,860 NZD/person.

5. Peru

• Why Visit: May is the dry season’s onset (15–22°C, SENAMHI, 2025), perfect for Andean treks and 35% fewer crowds than June (PromPerú, 2024).
• Things to Do:
  • Machu Picchu Trek: Hike the 4-day Inca Trail (42 km); permits $150 NZD, booked via licensed operators (Mincetur, 2025).
  • Cusco’s Plaza de Armas: Wander colonial streets; free, with $20 NZD cathedral entry (Cusco Tourism, 2024).
  • Lake Titicaca: Boat to Uros floating islands; $40 NZD tours (PromPerú, 2025).
  • Lima Food Tour: Taste ceviche and pisco sours; $50–70 NZD (Lima Tourism, 2025).
• Details: Peru’s altitude (Machu Picchu, 2,430 m) demands acclimatization; treks require fitness and $20 NZD/day gear rental.
• Approximate Costs: Flights (AKL–LIM via LAX, $2,400–3,000 NZD return), accommodation ($60–120 NZD/night), food/activities ($40–100 NZD/day, plus trek). Total (7 days, with trek): $3,310–4,140 NZD/person.

Approximate Costs Recap

• Japan: $2,260–3,050 NZD
• Italy: $3,190–4,010 NZD
• Fiji: $1,320–2,010 NZD
• Croatia: $3,010–3,860 NZD
• Peru: $3,310–4,140 NZD
  Notes: Costs assume mid-range lodging, economy flights (booked 3–6 months ahead, Skyscanner, 2025), and daily expenses (food, transport, activities). Prices vary with exchange rates (NZD/USD 0.60, March 31, 2025) and booking timing.

Personal Recommendation

For Kiwis this April–May, Japan stands out. Its proximity (10-hour flight vs. 20+ to Europe or South America), visa-free entry, and springtime splendor align perfectly with NZ’s autumn escape ethos. Late cherry blossoms in Tokyo or Hokkaido (early May) offer a poetic contrast to NZ’s falling leaves, while Mount Fuji’s uncrowded trails mirror our own Tongariro Crossing—minus the jetlag of farther destinations. At $2,260–3,050 NZD for a week, it’s cost-competitive with Fiji but richer in cultural depth. The May sumo tournament adds a unique draw, blending sport and tradition in a way NZ’s rugby fans might appreciate. Japan’s safety (crime rate 0.3/100,000, UNODC, 2024) and English-friendly tourism (70% of Tokyo signage bilingual, JNTO, 2025) ease first-time travel from NZ.

Summary

April and May 2025 beckon New Zealanders abroad with Japan, Italy, Fiji, Croatia, and Peru topping the list, each leveraging spring or dry-season perks. Japan’s sakura and sumo ($2,260–3,050 NZD) offer cultural immersion; Italy’s ruins and vineyards ($3,190–4,010 NZD) blend history with leisure; Fiji’s reefs and feasts ($1,320–2,010 NZD) promise Pacific ease; Croatia’s coast and lakes ($3,010–3,860 NZD) deliver affordable Europe; and Peru’s Machu Picchu ($3,310–4,140 NZD) fuses adventure with antiquity. Rooted in NZ’s travel surge (2.96 million trips, Infometrics, 2024) and shoulder-season value (20–30% savings, TourRadar), these destinations cater to Kiwi wanderlust—92% online, flight-ready (Stats NZ, 2024). Japan earns my nod for its balance of cost, proximity, and wonder, but all five shine as New Zealand Bharat News charts escapes from autumn’s chill on April 01, 2025.