As we’ve already experienced an unseasonably warm spring many Docklands locals will be wondering where to find the coolest places to stay. Well, cool as another hot Melbourne summer approaches. Fortunately, our city by the bay offers many spots for the urban cool hunter.

Some Docklands residents will be aware of the YMCA on Harbour Esplanade which boasts a 25m indoor lap pool as well as gym facilities, classes, physio and a café on site. All in the middle of the Docklands!

Slightly further a field, the recently renovated North Melbourne pool on Macaulay Rd has reopened its doors and is offering kids swimming programs over the month of January. Melbourne City Baths on Swanston St are also running swimming programs over the holidays as well as offering full gym facilities.

Along the bay, the iconic St Kilda Sea Baths is a great spot to visit for a dip. The 25m lap pool derives its water from the ocean and hence claims to offer many health benefits. As well as the pool, health club and day spa, it has the advantage of being conveniently close to many of Melbourne’s greatest watering holes – of the bar variety - if this is more to your taste.

Although they don’t attract quite the numbers of surfer tourist beaches as Torquay, Jan Juc and Bells Beach, why not make a day of it at one of the local beaches? Port Melbourne, Elwood and Brighton Beaches are all worth a look on a hot day. There’s nothing like fish and chips on the beach watching the sunset. Make the most of Australia’s beautiful beaches and beautiful summer weather.

If you are venturing outside in the middle of the day remember the Sunsmart message because the Melbourne summer heat is much easier to escape than a bad case of sunburn.