Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand cruises in February
Often New Zealand’s most settled month, with long, warm days and a better chance of calm conditions in Fiordland. With schools back, ships carry fewer families and fares ease slightly. Waitangi Day on February 6 draws big crowds and ceremonies to the Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 76°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in February: Best time to go
Often New Zealand’s most settled month, with long, warm days and a better chance of calm conditions in Fiordland. With schools back, ships carry fewer families and fares ease slightly. Waitangi Day on February 6 draws big crowds and ceremonies to the Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, February brings average highs around 76°F (24°C) and lows near 65°F, with about 3.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane
- Average high / low
- 76°F / 65°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights between Sydney and Auckland; 3- to 10-night coastal cruises from Australia
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How February compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand weather in February
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7625 | 7624 | 7423 | 6921 | 6518 | 6116 | 6016 | 6116 | 6418 | 6720 | 7122 | 7423 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6518 | 6518 | 6317 | 6015 | 5613 | 5312 | 5111 | 5111 | 5312 | 5613 | 5915 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.0101 | 3.897 | 3.998 | 3.179 | 3.077 | 3.179 | 3.486 | 2.871 | 2.769 | 2.872 | 2.871 | 3.588 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
February weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 78°F | 70°F | 4.5 in | 13 h |
| Auckland | 76°F | 65°F | 3.3 in | 14 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 68°F | 55°F | 7.2 in | 14 h |
| Melbourne | 78°F | 60°F | 1.5 in | 14 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 71°F | 55°F | 1.7 in | 14 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 73°F | 65°F | 3.9 in | 14 h |
| Bay of Islands | 72°F | 69°F | 3.0 in | 13 h |
| Wellington | 68°F | 60°F | 3.7 in | 14 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 63°F | 55°F | 1.9 in | 14 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 64°F | 58°F | 1.9 in | 14 h |
| Cairns | 88°F | 78°F | 9.9 in | 13 h |
| Brisbane | 85°F | 74°F | 6.9 in | 13 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 87°F | 78°F | 6.5 in | 13 h |
| Napier | 76°F | 62°F | 3.8 in | 14 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in February
- Caribbean in February
- Eastern Caribbean in February
- Western Caribbean in February
- Southern Caribbean in February
- Hawaii in February
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in February
- Panama Canal & Central America in February
- South America in February
- Galápagos Islands in February
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in February
See every destination for February, with a port weather map →
Australia & New Zealand in February: FAQs
Is February a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Often New Zealand’s most settled month, with long, warm days and a better chance of calm conditions in Fiordland. With schools back, ships carry fewer families and fares ease slightly. Waitangi Day on February 6 draws big crowds and ceremonies to the Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in February?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, February brings average highs around 76°F (24°C) and lows near 65°F, with about 3.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in February?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in February?
February is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Hawaii.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.