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Hot Places to Stay Cool
The mighty Tully River is regarded as the best rafting river in Australia. Located in beautiful World Heritage Listed rainforest two hours south of Cairns, this is the best way to cool off in North Queensland.
White water rafting the Tully is not for the faint-hearted. Expect an exhilarating ride as you conquer grade three to four rapids over five hours. The rapids come in quick succession and a full day rafting on the Tully River has more than 45 rapids.
Traditionally rapids are named by the first people to raft them, which means the Tully has some interesting names. Conquer the Helipad, Alarm Clock and the Corkscrew.
All guides are fully trained and have experience handling the waters. They have an intimate knowledge of its curves and drops and give a full safety demonstration before the trip. Everyone must wear a life jacket and the rafts are tough inflatables with self-draining floors.
Getting there:
Sydney: The Sydney Aquarium 
When summer sizzles, the Harbour City heads underwater. The Sydney Aquarium allows young and old to explore the wonders of Australian aquatic life. Housing over 12,000 animals including sharks, platypus, fairy penguins, and crocodiles, this has to be the coolest spot in Sydney this summer.
The Aquarium has recently launched Mermaid Lagoon, a tropical water habitat that is home to Pig and Wuru, the resident dugongs. Legend has it, pirates and sailors once confused these creatures for mermaids. Now you can experience the myth for yourself and discover the beauty of the original mermaids. Designed to replicate northern Australian coastal waters the tank also feature turtles, fish and rays.
Thrill seekers can jump aboard the Shark Explorer and admire Australia’s largest oceanarium through the boat’s glass bottom. Feed the incredible reef sharks up close and personal and experience the adrenalin rush as their dorsal fins slice the water. Forget the heat and explore Australia’s diverse marine ecosystems at the Sydney Aquarium. Just a short stroll from the CBD, why not jump in?
Getting there:
Melbourne: Dolphin Swim at Sorrento 
The Mornington Peninsula is only around an hour drive south of Melbourne. Sorrento, a picturesque seaside village near the Peninsula’s tip, offers several dolphin swim tours to help you cool off this summer.
Jump aboard one the luxury vessels and prepare to encounter wild Bottle Nose Dolphins, Australian Fur Seals, and colourful fish. Most cruises commence with an introductory snorkel demonstration from an experienced crew member - so even beginners can dive safely in.
Explore the sheltered shallows of Port Phillip Bay, and meet those curious seals at Chinaman's Hat. Cruise over to Popes Eye, in the Marine National Park for a look at the Australasian Gannets and the reef’s sea dragons. Dive in with these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat or observe from the comfort of the boat.
Various cruise operators depart daily from the end of September to May. This the most reliable time for dolphin sightings.
Getting there:
Auckland: Minus 5 Bar 
They say the “coolest place in Auckland” is the Minus 5 Bar –and they are right. The world's very first Minus5, (now replicated in Las Vegas, Viseu, Queenstown, Gold Coast and Sydney) is entirely made of hand sculpted ice.
18 tonnes of ice have gone into creating this uber cool experience, from the lounge, to the walls, to the fantastic sculptures. Even the glasses that you sip the famous vodka-based cocktails from are made of ice.
Snuggle up to your sweet heart in a sub zero setting. Located on Auckland's Princes Wharf this is a delight for the senses and the ideal summer escape.
Getting there
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