Where to go in April

Uluru and the Red Centre, Australia

One of Australia’s most spectacular sights, Uluru is a bucket list regular. Tradition peak season for tourists to Uluru is May to September, with an added spike over school holidays in July and August. This is the winter period, when the desert heat mellows out and trekking around Uluru is much easier to manage without melting.

However, Australia’s Outback is a land of real extremes. While it might still be hot and dry by day, the Outback can dip to below freezing on winter nights – sometimes as far as -10 degrees in July!

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So, if you’re planning on stargazing or sitting out for a unique ‘Sounds of Silence Dinner’ (which we highly recommend!), April is a winner. The searing heat of the summer has already subsided, hotel rates haven’t switched over to peak season and it’s still possible to eat al fresco in the evenings. Perfect.  

There are dozens of ways to experience the wonder of Uluru - whether you're after a self-drive adventure or a luxury glamping retreat. For more, read our recent blog post about getting the best out of Uluru.

Sri Lanka

When it comes to weather, it’s hard to get Sri Lanka 100% right. It’s always sunny somewhere, but it’s never sunny everywhere. The south-western monsoon runs from May to September in the south-west while the northeastern monsoon hits the north from October to January and a cheeky inter-monsoon period sweeps across the island from October to mid-November.

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April is as close to perfection as it comes when planning a trip to Sri Lanka, with decent weather practically across the board. The beaches to the East and the West are both still bright with sunshine, the Cultural Triangle will be dry and, while the rolling tea highlands of Kandy might see a little rain, the monsoon is far from full pelt.

If you’re planning a cross-island adventure, combining culture and action with a beach break, April is your man.

The Deep South, USA

Forget Paris, it’s all about Texas in springtime! The Deep South is quickly becoming an ‘it’ destination – especially for foodies and music fans – and April is a perfect time to plan a road trip. Feast on Texan barbecue in Austin, sip frozen margaritas in Dallas and dive into dishes of steaming seafood gumbo in New Orleans.

As you drive through the countryside, you’ll see spring in full bloom, with fields of famous Texan bluebonnets (the state flower) all around you.

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Summer is a sweltering affair round these parts, so if you travel in April, you’ll beat both the heat and the crowds. Even better, you can time your trip to coincide with New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which takes place in late April every year.

Alternatively, take the road less travelled with a trip through South Carolina and Georgia, or follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to Nashville and hang out in the honky-tonk bars. Spring is brilliant throughout all of these States, so it’s a savvy time to hop the pond.

Peninsular Malaysia

Dodging monsoon season in South East Asia is a bit of a minefield, but if you’re after some April sun, make a beeline for Peninsular Malaysia. While various parts of Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia will be bucketing it down, both the East and West Coasts of Peninsular Malaysia will be sunny, making a lovely monsoon loophole.

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To the West, you can stretch out on the sandy beaches of Langkawi and explore the foodie hotspot of Penang. To the East, you can hop between the tropical Perhentian Islands, swimming in clear water, snorkelling until sunset, feasting on fresh seafood and soaking up the sunshine.

Whether you stick to one coast or combine both into a longer Malaysia holiday, it will be a knockout trip with a reasonable price tag to boot!  

The Galapagos Islands

Packed with some of the most incredible wildlife on the planet, the Galapagos Islands are astounding at any time of year. However, we think April is a brilliant time to set sail in these islands, with calm seas, good underwater visibility and warmer water. If you’re planning to snorkel or dive, you won’t do better than April. It’s also quiet season for tourists, driving prices down and making it easier to find bargains on cruises and island-hopping tours.

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While April is technically part of the ‘warm and wet’ season, the bulk of the rain has already passed and there will be bags of bright sunshine between showers. Not only that, but springtime spells romance in the animal kingdom, so you’ll see breeding a-plenty!

It’s hatching season on the beaches for both the giant tortoises and green turtles, while the albatross begin their courtship rituals on Espanola Island. If wildlife spotting is your main priority, April is a brilliant bet.

Inspired to plan an April adventure?

Our travel consultants have travelled far and wide, so wherever you decide to go - we've been there! To get the ball rolling, you can phone us on 1273 320 580, send an email or request a call back via the website. After that, we'll get straight to work on finding you a brilliant April break.