When summer rolls around, the heat turns up. From reviving swim spots to refreshing ice creameries, these cool places will keep your temperature down and your spirits high. Read more

When summer rolls around, the heat turns up. From reviving swim spots to refreshing ice creameries, these cool places will keep your temperature down and your spirits high.

Frosty treats

Stay as cool as an icebox at ice creameries and cafes. Lick handcrafted sorbet or a scoop of artisan gelato. Chill to the max with fruit ice cream made from just-picked strawberries or blueberries. So tasty it won’t have time to melt.

Step off the hot sand and drop a degree over milkshakes, spiders and ice cream sundaes. Slip into the shade and sip on a smoothie or iced chocolate.

Coastal swims

Victoria’s large sweep of breezy coastline has plentiful local beaches that are perfect for beating the heat.

Swim, splash and paddle your way to cool at Lorne, Point Lonsdale and Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road. These are ideal for sheltered, patrolled foreshore dips – and easy access to another ice cream or cold drink.

Dive (literally) into an art deco swimming enclosure at Geelong's Eastern Beach – the brisk water is an all-ages reviver.

Crank the air-con and head to Norman Beach at Wilson's Promontory. Go wild at pristine pink-granite Cape Woolamai near Phillip Island or at Point Addis on the Great Ocean Road. Dip beneath waves in the salty surf, paddle from wide sandy shores, and muck about with the kids in tepid rock pools.

Inland dips and cool trips

Away from the coast? No sweat. Victoria’s High Country has naturally lower temperatures. You can float your overheated limbs on the region’s many tranquil lakes, or chill in rock pools at the misty cascades of Gooram Falls.

Take a cool walk through tree-shaded gullies, past mossy rocks and trickling water in the Dandenong Ranges and The Otways.

Dip into the Buchan Caves Reserve in Gippsland, where the AE Lind limestone rock pool awaits with reviving (super cold) stream water. Balance it out with an exploratory walk through the Buchan Caves.

Slide into the cool river waters at secluded Nigretta Falls in the Grampians. Bring your chiller bag and emerge refreshed for a waterside picnic.

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