Where to go in February
February is one of the best months to travel from Australia, or within it. The long, summer school holidays are behind us, many international destinations across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America are hitting peak season, and a handful of brilliant spots closer to home are enjoying long, warm summer days.
Here's where to go in February, for some of the best weather, smallest crowds and lowest prices.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the world's most extraordinary destinations — ancient pyramids, temple-lined Nile cruises, and Red Sea resorts that offer world-class diving.
Why go to Egypt in February?
February is one of the best months to visit, with mild, comfortable temperatures of around 21°C in Cairo and virtually zero rainfall, making it ideal for exploring monuments without the punishing summer heat. Don't miss the Abu Simbel Sun Festival on 22 February, when sunrise illuminates the inner chamber of Rameses II's temple.
Bangkok
Bangkok is a city that never sits still — street food, ornate temples, rooftop bars, and some of the best shopping in Southeast Asia all packed into one electric capital.
Why go to Bangkok in February?
February falls firmly in Bangkok's dry season, with warm temperatures around 32°C, low humidity, and clear skies that make sightseeing and river exploring genuinely enjoyable. Prices are reasonable and the city buzzes without the peak-December crowds.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is Thailand's cultural heartland — a city of ancient temples, night bazaars, and lush hill-tribe villages, all set against mountain scenery in the north of the country.
Why go to Chiang Mai in February
February is one of the most pleasant months to visit, with warm, dry days around 30°C and cool evenings. It's also the month of the Flower Festival, when the city bursts into colour with elaborate floral floats and garden displays.
Auckland
Auckland is the ideal base for exploring New Zealand's North Island — a vibrant harbour city with world-class dining, island day trips, and easy access to geothermal wonders and stunning coastlines.
Why go to Auckland in February?
February is Auckland's warmest and sunniest month, with temperatures reaching 24°C and the lowest chance of rainfall of the entire year. School holidays have wrapped up, so you get midsummer conditions with noticeably fewer crowds.
Hobart
Hobart is one of Australia's most underrated city breaks — a compact, walkable waterfront city with exceptional food and wine, MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art), and easy access to some of Tasmania's most dramatic wilderness.
Why go to Hobart in February?
February is Hobart's warmest and one of its driest months, with long sunny days averaging 21–24°C, perfect for exploring the Salamanca precinct, kayaking the Derwent River, or day-tripping to Bruny Island.
Singapore
Singapore punches well above its size — exceptional food, striking architecture, world-class gardens, and a cultural depth that rewards repeat visits.
Why go to Singapore in February?
February sits at the start of Singapore's drier season, with lower humidity than the months prior and warm temperatures around 30°C. It also typically coincides with Chinese New Year, one of the city's most spectacular celebrations, when Chinatown and Orchard Road are transformed with lanterns and festivities.
Hawaii
Hawaii offers a genuinely unbeatable combination — dramatic volcanic landscapes, turquoise beaches, rich Polynesian culture, and warm water year-round, all within a single long-haul flight from the east coast of Australia.
Why go to Hawaii in February?
February is peak humpback whale season, with thousands of whales in Hawaiian waters to breed and calve — Maui is the prime base for sightings. Crowds and prices ease slightly from January, making it a sweet spot for value-conscious travellers.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is Thailand's go-to island for a reason — palm-lined beaches, buzzing beach clubs, luxury resorts, and the pace of island life that makes it genuinely hard to leave.
Why go to Koh Samui in February?
February is one of the driest and sunniest months on the island, with warm temperatures around 27–29°C and calm seas ideal for snorkelling and island-hopping. It's the start of Samui's prime season, and noticeably drier than January.
Malaysia’s West Coast
Malaysia's west coast — Langkawi, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur — delivers an exceptional mix of beach relaxation, UNESCO-listed heritage, and some of Southeast Asia's finest street food.
Why go to Malaysia in February?
February is the driest month of the year here, with sunny skies, temperatures around 32°C, and very little rainfall. Chinese New Year festivities (which often fall in late January or February) make this an especially vibrant time to visit Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
Launceston
Launceston is a charming city that often plays second fiddle to Hobart, but it absolutely shouldn't — the Cataract Gorge is steps from the CBD, the Tamar Valley wine region is on the doorstep, and the food scene is exceptional.
Why go to Launceston in February?
February means warm summer weather of around 24°C and, most excitingly, Festivale — Tasmania's beloved three-day food, wine, and music festival held in City Park on the first weekend of the month.
Maldives
The Maldives is the definition of a tropical escape — overwater bungalows, crystal lagoons, and some of the world's best snorkelling and diving across more than a thousand coral islands.
Why go to Maldives in February?
February is the driest month of the entire year in the Maldives, with abundant sunshine, low humidity, calm seas, and underwater visibility that can exceed 50 metres. It's peak season, so book well ahead — but the conditions make it well worth planning around.
Phuket
Phuket is Thailand's largest island and one of Southeast Asia's most complete destinations — beautiful beaches, lively markets, Sino-Portuguese Old Town architecture, and easy day trips to nearby islands.
Why go to Phuket in February?
February is prime time on the Andaman Coast, sitting in the heart of the dry season with sunny skies, calm seas, and temperatures between 28–32°C. Water visibility is excellent, making it a brilliant month for snorkelling around the Similan Islands.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs ancient temples, safari parks, tea-country highlands, and gorgeous beaches into one small, endlessly surprising island.
Why go to Sri Lanka in February?
February is one of the best months for the west and south coasts — including Mirissa, Galle, and Unawatuna — which are in peak dry season with warm, sunny days and calm seas. It's also prime whale-watching season off Mirissa, where blue whales are regularly spotted on day trips from shore.
