Month guide · Sydney · Australia
Sydney in February
What February is really like in Sydney: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Shkuru Afshar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
February is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 13.4 hours of daylight. Hot and humid with the warmest sea of the year; schools are back, so beaches are calmer on weekdays. Summer storms bring short, heavy downpours.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in February
February is the 2nd-warmest month in Sydney: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 28 days. Compared with January (26°C (79°F)), February is about as warm; by March highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 06:31
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 19:48
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F)
Autumn (March–May). Warm, settled weather and a still-swimmable sea in March and April, cooling into crisp sunny days in May as whale season begins.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: February is one of the pricier months.
Events in February
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival (February into early March; parade usually late February or early March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Experience · Manly
Manly ferry and Manly Beach
The F1 ferry from Circular Quay to Manly crosses the harbour in about 30 minutes, passing the Opera House, Fort Denison and the harbour heads for the price of a normal public-transport fare.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Zoo · Mosman
Taronga Zoo
Ride the Sky Safari cable car from the ferry wharf to the top entrance, then walk downhill through the zoo back to the ferry.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Nature
- Iconic
Gallery · Circular Quay
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
In an Art Deco building on the western side of Circular Quay, the MCA shows contemporary Australian and international art, with a strong collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander work.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Views
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Park · Barangaroo
Barangaroo Reserve
Walk from Barangaroo Reserve through Walsh Bay to The Rocks for a quieter harbour route than the crowds at Circular Quay.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Off the beaten path
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Sydney.
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 19°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Sydney?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Sydney in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Sydney?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot and humid with the warmest sea of the year; schools are back, so beaches are calmer on weekdays. Summer storms bring short, heavy downpours.
+How warm is Sydney in February?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sydney in February?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.