What to Expect in Australia in February

February is the last month of the Australian summer. Expect generally warm weather in most of Australia with festivals, beach going, and plenty of partying.

At the Top End, February is the middle of the wet season, so expect rains and some flooding in the Northern Territory, particularly in parts of Kakadu National Park where some roads become rivers.

In Sydney in February, the average high temperature is 79 degrees with lows of 66 degrees. February might be an ideal time to visit Sydney if you like very hot climates, as it is one of the warmest months of the year in the city.

There's also plenty of sunshine in Sydney. In February you can get about eight hours of sunshine per day on average and a 19 percent chance of a sunny day, which allows plenty of time for soaking up the rays on the soft golden sand beaches. February is also a great time to go for a swim in the Pacific. The average ocean temperature around the coast of Sydney is a comfortable 73 degrees.

Although it is summer, the chances of rain throughout the month of February are quite high; you can expect to see rain for about 14 days throughout the month.

There are no Australian public holidays in February, but there are several major events during the month include Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Asian Lunar New Year celebrations, and the Twilight Taronga Summer Concert Series.

One of the major Australian events of the year, which is celebrated for most of February, is the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The glittering nighttime Mardi Gras parade travels from Hyde Park through Oxford St to Moore Park.

The Asian Lunar New Year usually occurs in February. In Sydney, it is celebrated as the annual Chinese New Year Festival. You can expect to find many celebrations in other major cities with street and lantern parades. Dragon boat races are held at Sydney's Darling Harbour and other Australian cities.

February 14 is recognized as St. Valentine's Day and is a celebrated day for romance much like it is in the United States.

The Twilight Taronga Summer Concert Series in February and should not be missed if you're in the city at the right time. This event features concerts and twilight performances held at the Taronga Zoo on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Taronga Zoo is open every day of the year and is just a 12-minute ferry ride from the city. One of the most famous attractions in Sydney, the award-winning zoo makes a great day out for families and is home to over 4,000 animals from Australian natives to exotic species. Guests can also try their hand at Wild Ropes, a  sky-high series of obstacles and suspension bridges in the trees.

February is still very much beach time in Australia. Check out the Sydney and Melbourne beaches. Consider a visit to the white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay.

Beach safety is taken very seriously on Australian beaches. Heed signs and warnings. Shark attacks are very rare, but poisonous jellyfish are in season usually from November to March. Along the north Queensland coast past Great Keppel Island, be wary of the poisonous box jellyfish, including the deadly Irukandji jellyfish.