Royal tour routes confirmed

It's time to get your flags at the ready, as the route maps for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's New Zealand tour have been revealed today.

Avid royal-watchers will be able to line the streets of the cities and towns the royal couple will visit on their first tour since the birth of their son Prince George.

Images highlighting the best vantage points to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Catherine have been released and are being tweeted by Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

When the couple touch down on Kiwi soil on Monday, April 7 and make their way from Wellington Airport to Government House, the footpath around the bays is expected to be lined with spectators, and is considered the top spot of the day.

They will then spend a couple of days by themselves to recover from the journey and enjoy some private time, before their duties commence in Blenheim with a wreath-laying ceremony, a public walk through Seymour Square and a flying day at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre with Sir Peter Jackson.

Next it's on to Auckland on Friday, April 11, where the prime location will be watching the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge compete in a match sailing race on former Team NZ yachts, after they take a public drive down Beaumont St and Jellicoe St to reach the Emirates Team NZ base.

On Saturday, April 12 the royal couple will visit Hamilton and Cambridge, taking in Pacific Aerospace, as well as opening the Avantidome. The best spot will be during their public walk and drive in Cambridge.

Then it's south on Sunday, April 13, as William and Catherine fly to Dunedin before travelling to Queenstown.

Free tickets are available to attend the Regal Rippa Rugby Day at Forsyth Barr Stadium, where the pair will be a part of the coaching teams for the finals alongside All Black stars Richie McCaw and Aaron Smith.

In Queenstown the best location to snap a photo will be in the park area just outside Amisfield Winery and in Milbrook Park on their way to the Shotover Jet.

A public walk through Christchurch's Latimer Square will be the best chance Cantabrians will have of seeing the pair up close, as they meet young cricketers ahead of the Cricket World Cup.

It's back to Wellington on April 16, as the couple prepare to fly to Sydney. Royal fans will be vying for a top spot along Willis St for the public drive, and in Civic Square where Prince William and Catherine will conduct a public walk.

Fans keen to stay up-to-date with all the action from the royal visit are advised to follow the Twitter hashtag #RoyalVisitNZ and the Governor General on @GovGeneralNZ on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.