The month of February is a great time to jump into your hired vehicle to discover what sights Australia has to offer. With the children back at school and the Christmas holidays a distant memory, the roads Down Under are far clearer, but summer has yet to leave us. There are still plenty of exciting, intriguing events taking place about the country – which one will you visit?
White Night Melbourne – 21 February, 2015
The highlight of Melbourne's calendar, White Night takes its cue from the French capital Paris' Nuit Blanche. Perhaps the most celebrated cultural event in Australia, White Night Melbourne takes the form of an international arts festival, featuring works by local, national, and international sculptors, painters, filmmakers and live performers.
A mixture of free and ticketed events, White Night swings its doors open at 7 p.m. and doesn't close them again until 7 a.m. the next morning, so you'll have plenty of time to take in the striking visual art, numerous exhibitions, dazzling illuminations and a great raft of many others. This is one White Night to remember.
Tumbafest – 21-22 February, 2015
The brilliantly-named town of Tumbarumba has laid on the Tumbafest event on the last weekend of February since 1997 – and this year is no different. Held as an extravaganza of music, food and wine – three things every self-respecting Australian can get passionate about – Tumbafest encapsulates everything great about the country way of life.
At Tumbafest, you can expect to be well-fed and watered. With exceptional regional produce on display, as well earthy wines wrought from the very grapes that grow on these unspoiled lands, Tumbarumba delivers an exceptional show. Joining the food and wine on offer, you'll find a farmer's market and live music, and activities and entertainment for the children – so ensure you bring the entire family along for a Tumba of a time!
Sydney Chinese New Year Festival – 13 February-1 March, 2015
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4 per cent of Sydney's population is Chinese. Therefore, it stands to reason that the city's Chinese New Year Festival is set to be the most spectacular outside of China itself.
Throughout the event, which lasts for the majority of February, you can expect an explosion of Chinese cultural events, including exhibitions, markets and entertainment – many of them free.
The highlight of the Festival, though, is the bedazzling Twilight Parade, which will illuminate the city streets with a myriad of light and sound. Don't miss the Dragon Boat Races over the weekend, either – they rival even the mighty parade for popularity.