Australia's Best Photos of the Month: February 2026
Guardian Australia has unveiled its curated collection of the most compelling photographs from across the nation for February 2026, offering a vivid visual narrative of Australian life during this period. The selection spans from scientific experiments and cultural celebrations to political events and sporting achievements, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the country's diverse experiences.
Scientific and Environmental Insights
One of the most striking images comes from the University of Sydney, where Guardian Australia's Graham Readfearn participated in a climate chamber experiment. This photograph captures the intersection of scientific research and personal experience, highlighting Australia's ongoing engagement with climate science. Meanwhile, a poignant image from Mogumber, Western Australia, shows Aunty Beverley Port-Louis looking across the Moore River cemetery, where a December 2025 bushfire damaged parts of the Mogumber Mission, reminding viewers of the persistent threat of wildfires.
Cultural Celebrations and Community Events
The collection features vibrant scenes from lunar new year celebrations across Australia, including Chinese lion dancers, parades, and festive feasts. Community spirit shines through in images like Marilyn Monroe lookalikes participating in a charity swim at Marion outdoor pool centre in South Australia, raising funds for Cancer Council SA for the thirteenth consecutive year. Another heartwarming photograph shows residents of Underbool, Victoria, enjoying pre-dawn lap swimming in their recently redeveloped community pool, a critical hub during the hot Mallee summers.
Political and Social Moments
Political figures feature prominently, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visiting Guardian Australia's Melbourne office to record an interview for the Australian Politics podcast. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli appears speaking at a Brisbane news conference, while protests during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia show police facing off with pro-Palestine demonstrators at Sydney Town Hall and riot police cordoning off venues in Melbourne. A particularly emotional image captures Daniel Cotterill reflecting on his uncle Patrick Cotterill's grave in Gaza, which was bulldozed by the Israel Defense Forces during recent conflict.
Sports and Recreation Highlights
Sports enthusiasts will appreciate action shots from the World Superbikes at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the Bathurst 12 Hour race at Mount Panorama. Tennis fans can see Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrating his Australian Open victory against Novak Djokovic. Leisure activities are represented by people cooling off at Wylie's Baths in Sydney and tourists enjoying a hot-air balloon flight over Melbourne's central business district.
Unique Australian Experiences
The collection includes several distinctly Australian scenes: Hotan, a Sumatran tiger at Melbourne Zoo missing a tooth due to age; camels being milked at Summer Land Camels in Queensland, one of Australia's first commercial camel dairies; and residents enjoying a sunset over Fremantle in Western Australia. Personal stories emerge through portraits like Heather Ellis, who contracted HIV in the 1990s and warns about late diagnoses in women, and adman-turned-TV personality Todd Sampson walking through Sydney's Chinatown.
A Visual Tapestry of Australian Life
This photographic collection serves as both documentation and artistry, capturing everything from the World Nature Photography awards to Ukrainian community services at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. Each image tells a story, whether it's about resilience, celebration, conflict, or everyday beauty. Guardian Australia's editors have selected these photographs not just for their technical quality but for their ability to convey the complex, multifaceted reality of Australia in February 2026, making this collection an essential visual record of the nation's ongoing narrative.
