But his latest gig with the St Kilda Brass Band has him travelling closer to 19,000km, to Dunedin.
Mr Wilkinson's passion for brass has opened up the world for the relief teacher, with trips to the United States, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark to play with bands, do solo work and judge competitions.
And the St Kilda Brass Band hopes his skills will help the band win the A-grade section at the national brass band championships in Napier this week, after funding from gaming trusts helped bring him to New Zealand.
The 24-year-old, who has been playing since he was 7, is one of the top-ranked players in the world, and will be one of the "visiting professionals" bands are allowed for the championship.
St Kilda Brass Band president Peter McHenry likened his role to that of a cricket team that brought in, for instance, a wicketkeeper from another area.
"It boosts our numbers if we're not particularly strong in one area."
Mr Wilkinson said he got the role because he studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with St Kilda musical director Steve Miles, and Mr Miles asked him if he was interested.
"It's the first time I've been over in this part of the world. I jumped at the chance."
He was impressed by the quality of the Dunedin band when he began rehearsing last week. "They're doing really well."
Brass allowed him to play a versatile repertoire of styles from jazz to classical and popular music. "It's a fabulous way of expressing yourself."
The 129th annual national brass band championship begins today and finishes on Sunday.
Thirty bands are competing, with the St Kilda Brass Band the only one from Otago.
