By Bec Milligan.
Easter is one of the best times of year to get away on a well-deserved break, whether you’re planning a family trip, a romantic getaway with your partner or a solo adventure.
The long weekend gives you a natural reason to switch off, and with the right Easter holiday destination, even four days (or two weeks if you’ve maximised your annual leave) can feel like a proper reset.
The hardest part? Choosing where to go.
Luckily, 1Cover has done the hard work for you and listed the best Easter holiday destinations below.
Easter will take place in April this year, with Good Friday falling on April 3, 2026 and Easter Monday falling on April 6, 2026, both of which are public holidays.
Whether you’ve got just those four days off or you’ve used some annual leave for a bigger break, you can visit some amazing places – both domestically and internationally.
Read on for our top picks.
The Bay of Islands is one of those places that genuinely earns its reputation. Just a three-hour drive north of Auckland (or a short flight), the region encompasses 144 islands, golden beaches and some of New Zealand's most significant cultural and historical sites – including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the founding document of Aotearoa was signed in 1840.
Easter is a fantastic time to visit as the water is still warm enough to swim, the crowds have thinned out from peak summer, and the long weekend lends itself perfectly to getting out on the water. Boat cruises, kayaking, snorkelling and sailing are all on the table, and the nearby charming town of Russell is worth a wander on its own.
Queenstown is hard to beat at any time of year, but Easter is genuinely one of the best times to visit. Early April sits right in the heart of autumn in the South Island, and the colours around Queenstown and nearby Arrowtown are spectacular: golden oaks, fiery reds and crisp, clear mornings that make everything look like a painting.
If you're after adventure, the usual suspects are all there: bungy jumping, jet boating on the Shotover River and hiking through dramatic landscapes. If you'd rather take it slower, the Central Otago wine region is in the middle of its autumn harvest, which makes vineyard visits particularly good value.
Waiheke Island is one of the great New Zealand day trips (or better yet, a long weekend escape) and Easter falls right at the tail end of its best season. Just a 35-minute ferry from downtown Auckland, the island is home to over 30 boutique wineries, white sand beaches and enough good restaurants to fill several days without repeating yourself.
Oneroa Beach is beautiful, the ziplining through native forest is a great shout for families, and the Waiheke Walking Festival runs from late March right through to early April 2026; so the timing couldn't be better for getting outside and exploring the island on foot.
Australia is just a quick flight away and there’s no better place at Easter time than Byron Bay. The town comes alive with the world-famous Bluesfest running over the long weekend, drawing massive international acts; this year, Earth, Wind & Fire and the Counting Crows are a part of the lineup. But even if music festivals aren’t your thing, Byron delivers.
The beaches are stunning, the food scene is genuinely excellent, and the hinterland villages (like Bangalow and Mullumbimby) are worth a wander if you need to escape the crowds. Just book accommodation well in advance – Byron is one of the most popular Easter holiday destinations in the country and hotels, motels, and Airbnbs fill up extremely quickly.
Few destinations are as well-loved by Kiwis as Bali, and for good reason. A short flight from most major NZ cities, Bali offers a staggering amount of choice depending on your travel style.
Seminyak and Canggu are ideal if you want beach clubs, great coffee, and a lively social scene. Ubud is the spot if you’re after rice terraces, yoga retreats and some genuine cultural immersion. And for something quieter, the Bukit Peninsula or the island of Nusa Penida will absolutely blow your mind with their stunning views.
Plus, April is one of the better months to visit Bali as the rainy season starts to ease but it’s not yet peak tourist season.
Easter is a great time to visit Japan! Early April sits right at the tail end of cherry blossom season, so prepare to walk under beautiful clouds of pink blooms if you head to Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
And if you’re heading to Japan for a family trip, there’s plenty to keep the kids busy. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are world-class, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is home to Super Nintendo World: a fully immersive Mario-themed zone that genuinely lives up to the hype. There’s also the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo for any Harry Potter fans in the family.
The United States was one of the most popular destiantions Kiwis travelled to during the 2025 Easter holidays. And we understand why.
New York in spring is genuinely magical – Central Park is oh, so green and lush. And there’s an almost endless amount to do across the five boroughs, whether you're into art, food, Broadway, baseball or architecture.
San Francisco is another great place to visit in April. Between the Golden Gate Bridge, the clam chowder bowls at Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz and The Painted Ladies (we see you ‘Full House’ fans), you’ll never be short of something to do.
Pro tip: No matter where you’re heading this Easter, book early. The Easter long weekend is one of the busiest travel periods in the Australian calendar, and accommodation, flights and car hire all book out fast! Travel insurance is also essential – make sure you’re covered before you jet off.
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