• Domestically, Kiwis are embracing nature breaks and easy city escapes 

AUCKLAND, March 18, 2026 – Today, Expedia^® revealed the most popular and trending domestic destinations with last-minute tips for booking an Easter getaway. 

Expedia’s domestic Easter travel insights 

Kiwis are leaning into a mix of city escapes and simple, nature‑focused getaways this Easter, with Wellington (+285%), Hawke’s Bay (+110%), Rotorua (+65%) emerging as the trending domestic picks. Other short-break destinations like Queenstown, Taupo, and Far North (+55%) boost the remainder of the list.  

“April is a peak travel period, but there’s still time to lock in a last-minute getaway deal” said Haley Purdon, Director of Expedia New Zealand. “Remaining flexible with both destination and timing is your biggest advantage. For example, mid‑April is forecasted to be up to 40% less busy than the week of Easter, with potential savings of up to 15% on accommodation.” 

Expedia’s most popular and trending domestic destinations 

Expedia’s tips for booking a last-minute domestic getaway this April: 

• Mid-April is the best time to travel³: Should you have the flexibility, plan your trip for 13 -19 April when there’s less crowds and it’s better value for money. This week is predicted to be 40% less busy, and travellers can save up to 15% on accommodation, compared to Easter week (30 March – 5 April).  

• Start your Easter long weekend travel on Thursday ³: If you are travelling over the long weekend, choose Thursday (2 April) instead of Good Friday (3 April) as it’s predicted to be 50% less busy, and travellers can save up to 8% on accommodation. 

• It’s not too late to escape: Easter is shaping up to be a busy period, but destinations such as Auckland, Dunedin, and Hawke’s Bay still have good availability and value with average accommodation rates under $250 per night. 

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FAQ

Q1: What are the most popular destinations for Easter 2026? 
A1: Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and Rotoura are the most popular domestic destinations this Easter. 

Q2: When is the cheapest time to travel this Easter? 
A2: Mid‑April (13–19 April) is the cheapest  

Q3: When is the best time to travel to avoid the crowds this Easter long weekend? 

A3: Thursday (2 April) is the least busy day to travel 

Q4: Which destinations are likely to offer the best availability and value? 
A4: Auckland, Dunedin, and Hawke’s Bay still offer availability and value over the Easter long weekend 

Data disclaimers: 

¹ Based on an analysis of domestic accommodation demand on Expedia.co.nz for travel between 30 March 2026 and 12 April 2026 

² Based on an analysis of domestic accommodation demand on Expedia.co.nz for travel between 30 March 2026 and 12 April 2026, compared to the same period the previous year 

³ Predicted best value and busiest times are based on an analysis of booked domestic data on Expedia.co.nz for travel between 1 April 2025 to 30 April 2025