Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Australia & New Zealand cruises in April
Poplars and willows turn gold in Central Otago and around Christchurch, and the air turns crisp. Easter and Anzac Day, with dawn services on April 25, fall in this period. The last trans-Tasman voyages of the season depart as ships reposition to Asia or Alaska, and New Zealand highs slip into the 60s °F.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 69°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in April: Good time to go
Poplars and willows turn gold in Central Otago and around Christchurch, and the air turns crisp. Easter and Anzac Day, with dawn services on April 25, fall in this period. The last trans-Tasman voyages of the season depart as ships reposition to Asia or Alaska, and New Zealand highs slip into the 60s °F.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, April brings average highs around 69°F (21°C) and lows near 60°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane
- Average high / low
- 69°F / 60°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.1 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights between Sydney and Auckland; 3- to 10-night coastal cruises from Australia
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How April compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand weather in April
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7625 | 7624 | 7423 | 6921 | 6518 | 6116 | 6016 | 6116 | 6418 | 6720 | 7122 | 7423 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6518 | 6518 | 6317 | 6015 | 5613 | 5312 | 5111 | 5111 | 5312 | 5613 | 5915 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.0101 | 3.897 | 3.998 | 3.179 | 3.077 | 3.179 | 3.486 | 2.871 | 2.769 | 2.872 | 2.871 | 3.588 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
April weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 72°F | 64°F | 3.1 in | 11 h |
| Auckland | 69°F | 59°F | 3.7 in | 11 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 61°F | 51°F | 7.6 in | 11 h |
| Melbourne | 69°F | 54°F | 2.7 in | 11 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 64°F | 51°F | 1.7 in | 11 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 68°F | 60°F | 4.3 in | 11 h |
| Bay of Islands | 69°F | 65°F | 3.5 in | 11 h |
| Wellington | 62°F | 56°F | 3.3 in | 11 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 58°F | 51°F | 1.8 in | 11 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 59°F | 54°F | 2.2 in | 11 h |
| Cairns | 84°F | 74°F | 5.7 in | 12 h |
| Brisbane | 78°F | 67°F | 2.4 in | 12 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 82°F | 74°F | 3.3 in | 12 h |
| Napier | 68°F | 55°F | 2.6 in | 11 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in April
Australia & New Zealand in April: FAQs
Is April a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
Yes, it's a good month. Poplars and willows turn gold in Central Otago and around Christchurch, and the air turns crisp. Easter and Anzac Day, with dawn services on April 25, fall in this period. The last trans-Tasman voyages of the season depart as ships reposition to Asia or Alaska, and New Zealand highs slip into the 60s °F.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in April?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, April brings average highs around 69°F (21°C) and lows near 60°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in April?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in April?
April is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.