Places to visit in February
With crowds dispersed and the last of the summer holiday lull lingering, these destinations should be on your radar.
With crowds dispersed, the last of the summer holiday lull lingering and airlines upping the ante when it comes to last-minute flight deals, February is the perfect time to book the trip you didn’t quite get to during the festive season. From World Pride in Sydney to the Mona’s annual summer celebration in Launceston, skiing in Japan or trying some of the world’s greatest wine in New Zealand, here are the best places to visit in February.
Sydney, NSW
What’s on: Sydney WorldPride and Lunar New Year celebrations.
Average temperatures: 26° / 19°
Sydney is about to explode into a city of rainbow with the arrival of World Pride early next month. The celebration will see members of the LGBTQI+ community travel from all over the world, thanks to a network of special flights operated by Qantas and Virgin, for a line-up of concerts, festivals and non-stop partying. 2023 will also mark the 45th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which will see the event’s iconic parade return to Oxford Street for the first time in two years, having taken place at the Sydney Cricket Ground due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Australian pop star and global LGBT icon Kylie Minogue will be performing at the festival’s official opening concert, as well as British performer Charli XCX and First Nations singer Jessica Mauboy.
Kelly Rowland and Kim Petras have also joined the celebration’s line-up, hitting the stage at the Domain Dance Party, while the two week event will be rounded out with a performance by G-Flip at the Closing Party. Other event highlights include Fair Day at Victoria Park, Paradiso Pool Party at the Ivy Pool Club and the Queer Art After Hours exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Like this year’s Pride celebrations, Sydney’s Lunar New Year festivities are shaping up to be some of the biggest yet. Officially recognised on January 22, the city’s events will be taking place until 12 February.
Street parades, lion dancing, flickering lanterns, night markets, illuminated art installations representing the Chinese zodiac and delicious food will be taking over Chatswood, Parramatta, The Rocks and Haymarket. Dragon boats will take to the harbour at Cockle Bay Wharf, while the Golden Market with stalls of flowers, lucky bamboo and delicious Asian food will be available to explore. Restaurants including Kitchens on Ken at The Langham and Aria are offering special menus and banquets to ring in the new year.
Stay: Be in the heart of it all by staying at Oxford House, located on the fabled Oxford Street in the inner eastern suburb of Paddington.
Launceston, TAS
What’s on: Mona Foma
Average Temperature: 25°/12°
Mona Foma, the lighter alternative to The Museum of Old and New Art’s winter solstice Dark Mofo, will be held across two weekends, the first in Launceston starting on the February 17, and the second in Hobart from the 24th.
Curated by Brian Ritchie, a member of the folk punk band Violent Femmes, the annual summer celebration of art and music will take place and will involve a line-up of performances and events, celebrating both national and international artists. Musical highlights include performances from folk band Bon Iver and a 30th anniversary show from grunge band Pavement. Aside from the musical displays, guests will have the chance to view art installations, gigs, parties and more.
Launceston’s Mona Foma weekend will have attendees flocking to the city’s newest creative hub, a decommissioned TAFE called the reUNION district, where a three day party will take place. Tomas’ Garden, an immersive experience from Tasmania-based Chinese artist Cici Zhang, is also a must-see.
Stay: Stay in Stillwater Seven, a converted riverside mill at the edge of the city, about 15 minutes from Launceston airport and mere moments away from the hub of the festival.
Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Why you should visit: Alba Thermal Hot Springs & Spa
Average temperature: 24° / 14°
Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is about 90 minutes drive from central Melbourne and is the region’s newest wellness destination, drawing on the transformative powers of water combined with a menu of bespoke spa treatments. Found within 15ha of native landscape, the spa has an impressive 21 rooms, with an Artisan massage among its highlights. With hot volcanic stones soaked in a special blend of juniper berry, spearmint and petitgrain, it’s among the spa’s signature offerings.
Visiting Alba in February will be cooler than other parts of the state, and there will also be a lower chance of rain, perfect for when you’re soaking in one of its 31 pools, which range from cold plunge pools, forest pools, rain pools, or the warm waters of its geothermal springs.
It’s also the perfect location to switch off before returning to real-life, as Alba strongly encourages guests to detox from their digitally driven lives.
Stay: InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula is the perfect stay nearby, just a 16 minute drive from Alba. Alba will be unveiling luxury villas style accommodation later this year.
Hokkaido, Japan
Why you should visit: Best ice and snow festivals in Japan
Average temperature:0°/-30°
Looking ahead to 2024? February in Japan is not only the perfect time to go skiing, but the best time to explore its snowy streets and surrounding winter wonderlands. Aside from the spectacular ice hotel, Shimukappu Village, with its special ice convenience store, ice bar, skating rink and zip-lining experience, will have visitors entertained for hours off the slopes.
From 4 February to 11 February, 2024 (and 4 February to 12 February, 2024), perhaps the most famous winter festival in Japan will take place. Sapporo Snow Festival will make its grand return following two years of cancellation due to the pandemic, giving festival-goers the chance to ride down the giant slides at Tsudome and marvel at snow and ice sculptures the event is renowned for. Hokkaido-specialty food vendors and hot drinks will be available for purchase, along with a skating rink and the festival’s signature Ice Sculpture Contest.
Getting there will also be made easier with the launch of a new route through Virgin Australia, who announced it will be flying from Cairns and Tokyo, meaning there will be a route between Australia’s tropical capital and Tokyo‘s Haneda airport.
Stay: Hoshino Resort Tomamu’s stunning ice hotel will be open until February 28 at Shimukappu Village, where the hotel makes up part of the area’s winter Ice Village.
Marlborough District, New Zealand
What’s on: Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
Average temperature: 18° / 14°
Returning for the first time in two years on 11 February, the 36th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival will be held at the Renwick Domain in Blenheim and will be both wine and foodies dream.
The culinary pavilion will be returning with guest chef Peter Gordon doing live cooking demonstrations and food trucks, including Bloody Good Tucker, House of Dumplings and Top of the South Seafood, offering a number of different cuisines. Think rich Spanish paellas and punchy South American tacos, as well as all of the region’s most prized winemakers, like Ara, Babich Wines, Blank Canvas, Forrest and Hunter’s wines.
A number of stages will be set up around the festival grounds with performances by Coterie, a five piece band known for their take on soulful rock, award-winning due Broods, Niko Walters, Jocee Tuck and Vagus Plum. Other highlights include hour-long masterclasses into the Marlborough’s world famous wines and Vinyl in the Vines for those wanting to kick up their shoes. VIP access is also available.
Stay: Where better to find yourself than at The Secret Shack Escape where you can enjoy laid-back luxury among the beauty of Cloudy Bay’s lush surrounding gardens, located just a 6 minute drive from the festival ground.