42C in Melbourne - That's cute (sighed the Mallee)

Here in the Mallee and Sunraysia, a proper hot day doesn’t automatically trigger panic stations — it triggers a plan.

We’ve been living with this kind of heat forever, so most locals are pretty sensible about it. If you can, you start early. You knock the hard stuff over before the sun gets properly cranky. By late morning you’re already thinking shade, airflow, and whether that job can wait until the evening. Work boots on at sparrows-fart, cold drink bottle filled to the brim, and a quiet respect for the fact that the sun out here doesn’t muck around.

Hydration’s not a hippy wellness trend with a designer drink bottle — it’s just life out here. Water, electrolytes, a hat that’s seen some miles, and the kind of sunscreen application that would make a dermatologist proud. You keep an eye on the kids, the elderly, your neighbors, and anyone doing it tough. You know the signs of heat stress, you take breaks, and you don’t pretend you’re a hero when the sensible move is to pull up stumps.

And yes… we do find it a little funny when our Melbourne friends cop one 40-degree day and act like the apocalypse has been scheduled for 2:30pm that day.

On day one.
Suddenly it’s “I can’t breathe,” “the roads are melting,” and “is the government doing anything?!” Meanwhile we’re up here like: Welcome to Tuesday.

To be fair, we get it. City heat is a different beast — more concrete, less breeze, more “why is the tram stop radiating like a pizza oven?” But there’s still something deeply entertaining about watching a Melburnian discover that shade is useful and water is, in fact, non-optional.

Out here, we’re built a bit different. Not better… just more seasoned. A little more “get on with it.” A little less “I’m moving to Iceland.” We’ve all done the summer shuffle: car door opens, you inhale hot air like you’ve opened an oven, and you still somehow say, “Ah yep, beaut day,” like it’s normal. Because it is.

That said — tough doesn’t mean stupid.

Sunraysia tough is knowing when to ease off. It’s planning your day around the heat, not trying to win a medal for suffering. It’s finishing up early where possible, checking on your people, and keeping the fridge stocked with cold water like it’s currency. It’s choosing the river, the pool, the aircon, or the fan  and not feeling guilty about it.

So if you’re local: you already know the drill.
If you’re visiting: take the heat seriously, do the early starts, drink more than you think you need, and don’t be shy about slowing down.

And if you’re from Melbourne and you’re reading this… yes, we love you.
But also… harden up, ya sooky buggers 😉